Target Talent Program – enhancing pathways for junior and emerging athletes

Together with athletes, coaches and key stakeholders in the athletics community, Athletics Australia has adapted the existing pathways for junior and emerging athletes with an enhanced Target Talent Program and a pilot Emerging Program. 

The IAAF decision last year to discontinue the IAAF World Under 18

Championships, together with the AA/AIS’ review around the gap between World U20s, NASS and Senior benchmark teams (i.e. World Athletics Championships and the Olympic Games) allows Athletics Australia to enhance the existing pathway for Juniors.  

Target Talent Program

Athletics Australia will provide national oversight for the new national curriculum and coaching design and development for the Target Talent Program with direction and support from the National Junior Program and National Junior Coaches. The program will include education sessions for athletes, parents and coaches to assist athletes along the pathway to senior representation.

Emerging Program

The Emerging Program which will focus on the post-secondary school athlete and their personal coaches. The aim of this program will be to bridge the gap from the World U20 Championships to World University Games and on to senior benchmark teams.

Sara Heasly, the National Junior High Performance Manager says “The emerging program is aimed at bridging the gap between World U20 Championships into World Universiade and onto senior international teams. It will be a post-secondary school-aged program so time out of school will not be required.”

The pilot program also recognises the integral role of personal coaches and will provide stronger links to the National Junior Coaches, including regular delivery of coaching and education in the state-based programs to support the great work of state-based Target Talent Program coaches.

“Our personal coaches work incredibly hard for our sport and this program will be able to support their work in the sports science and sports medicine fields. It will also give the personal coaches and athletes the opportunity for ongoing assistance from and the strengthening of their relationships with the relevant National Junior Coaches.” says Heasly.

“The program will hold two camps, one in December as a whole group and the second across January/February in event groups alongside some of our leading athletes.”