Northern Beaches High Performance Program

SHORTBOARD + LONGBOARD DISCIPLINES

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Designed to complement the Surfing Australia High Performance Program and supported by Surfing NSW, this program will offer coaching, performance support and competition travel support to selected athletes to help them reach global podium success.

The program will pilot over 3 years and will be exclusively based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney where there is a large concentration of High Performance Athletes and performance support.

Following an annual selection process, the program will provide sponsorship to 8-10 surfers from shortboard and longboard disciplines who are currently on the following pathways;

World Surf League (WSL)
– Shortboard (Championship, Challenger & Qualifying Series)
– Longboard (Championship & Qualifying Series)

International Surfing Association (ISA)
– Shortboard (State, National & World)
– Longboard (State, National & World)

Under the guidance of a dedicated Program Manager, the objectives of the program are for our athletes to be provided with support, leading to significant performance gains in three key areas:

In Water
Surf Coaching
Wave Profile experience (Strike Missions)
High Performance Camps

Out of Water
Strength & Conditioning Programs
Physiotherapy
Sports Psychology

Competition
Performance Support at events
Funding for event travel

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

To be eligible for selection, an athlete must:

Be an Australian citizen and eligible and available to represent Australia in international competition
Must reside within (or have strong ties to) the geographical area of the Northern Beach of Sydney
Must be over the age of 15 years at the time of application close
Be a registered member of Surfing NSW
Agree to comply with all relevant SA policies and rules as amended from time to time
Agree to comply with all anti-doping requirements of the IOC, AIS, and SIA
Agree to maintain the high standard of personal behaviour expected of an athlete representing Australia as per our Code of Conduct Policy
Refer to below Selection Criteria for further details

HOW TO APPLY

Applications now closed for 2024.

All applications are reviewed, and selections made by a majority panel vote.

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

WHY THE NORTHERN BEACHES?

This is a privately funded pilot program for athletes local to the Northern Beaches of Sydney.

The pilot program is designed to assess the performance improvements of athletes when provided high levels of support through selected coaches and performance support specialists under the guidance of a Program Manager.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The criteria for athlete selection are designed to ensure fairness, inclusivity, and alignment with the program’s goals.

To be eligible for selection, an athlete must:

Be an Australian citizen and eligible and available to represent Australia in international competition.
Must reside within (or have strong ties to) the geographical area of the Northern Beach of Sydney
Must be over the age of 15 years at the time of application close.
Be a registered member of Surfing NSW
Agree to comply with all relevant SA policies and rules as amended from time to time.
Agree to comply with all anti-doping requirements of the IOC, AIS, and SIA
Agree to maintain the high standard of personal behaviour expected of an athlete representing Australia as per our Code of Conduct Policy

Athletes are required to apply annually to be included in the NB HPP.
Preference will be given to athletes already in the program who are meeting all expectations within their IPP.
Applicants can apply independently or identified and encouraged to apply by Surfing Australia or Surfing NSW.
Athletes can submit their completed application form along with supporting evidence (ID, proof of address, videos reflecting skill matrix, rankings, event results) through the online application process by the specified deadline.
Must have achieved podium results at a national level in their respective discipline (Shortboard or Longboard) at an age appropriate level within the last 24 months or who are currently competing in the WSL World Tour, WSL Challenger Series, WSL World Juniors or ISA World Juniors.
Must provide a skill matrix in their respective discipline (Shortboard or Longboard)
If Injured within the last 12 months which has impacted results then evidence must be provided along with a skill matrix score to support the athletes potential to reach a podium level in their respective discipline.
All applications are reviewed, and selections made by a majority panel vote.

The Northern Beaches High Performance Program Selection Panel consists of:

Surfing Australia’s National High Performance Director
Surfing Australia’s Pathway Manager
Surfing NSW Program Manager
Independent Northern Beaches Surf Experts x 3
Significant donors

CATEGORY	CATEGORISATION CRITERIA
World Tour / Challenger Group	Shortboard Surfers who have qualified for the World Championship Tour via WCT end of year rankings or the Challenger Series OR Surfers who have qualified for the Challenger Series Via Qualifying series end of year rankings Longboard Surfers who have qualified for the World Longboard Tour via Regional Series rankings OR Surfers who have been selected for the ISA World Longboard Team (No age limit)
QS / Pro Junior Athlete Group	Shortboard Most promising Pro Junior and Regional WQS talent who have demonstrated dominant Performances. For example; Attended the WSL World Junior event within the last 24 months Attended an ISA Junior World Championship event within the last 24 months OR Podium results at a WSL Australian Junior Events Podium at Regional WQS event AND22 years & under Longboard Athlete has podiumed at a Regional series event OR Podiumed at Australian Titles AND 25 years & under
Emerging	Surfers demonstrate potential to achieve a World Tour level skill matrix AND Demonstrate event success via; Podium finish in end of year Surfing Australia’s National Juniors Rankings System Podium Australian Junior Title Age 15 – 18 years old