The NSW Athletics Pathway provides a connected athlete-centred and coach-driven development system that supports athletes, coaches, parents and performance environments throughout every stage of the athletics journey.
Built on long-term athlete development principles and aligned with Australian Athletics, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS), the pathway strengthens existing coaching environments through education, performance support, development opportunities and clear progression pathways.
Whether you're just starting your athletics journey or preparing for national representation, the pathway provides opportunities to learn, develop and thrive.
The Pathway Academy is the foundation of the NSW Athletics Pathway and provides education and development opportunities for athletes, coaches, parents and stakeholders across all stages of the sport.
Through webinars, workshops, online learning and practical experiences, the Academy helps build knowledge around athlete development, coaching, wellbeing, performance support and pathway opportunities while connecting members with resources from NSW Athletics, Australian Athletics, the AIS and industry partners.
LEAP is the first targeted athlete development experience within the NSW Athletics Pathway.
Designed as a camp-based program, LEAP helps young athletes build confidence, independence, leadership and teamwork while introducing them to Team NSW culture and long-term athlete development.
The program includes two streams:
- LEAP Emerging – for athletes demonstrating readiness for additional pathway opportunities.
- LEAP Futures – supporting athletes with strong long-term potential, including those progressing on different developmental timelines.
LEAP is an exciting, invite only, athlete development program that is exclusive to a limited number of athletes. The aim of LEAP is to identify emerging athletes in each Little Athletics event and provide unique opportunities to assist in their athletics development and encourage further participation in the sport of Track and Field.
Leap will offer two “members only” exclusive live-in camps to be held at the Sydney Academy of Sport & Recreation Centre, Narrabeen offering training on a tartan track, recovery pool, indoor/outdoor courts for fun and games, all nestled within bushland surroundings.
The camp program has been designed to provide members:
- Access to nationally accredited, recognised and respected coaches and athletes
- Exclusive development opportunities (coaching & workshops) to improve their athletics ability in their qualifying event
- A pathway to towards “next level” opportunities such as ALAC & National U15 Camp
- Encouragement for long-term participation in the sport of track and field
- Social opportunities and develop interpersonal skills with like-minded others
- Develop a TEAM focused atmosphere
The Camps offers members:
- Coaching sessions planned each day, you will be able to enhance your performance in your event and improve your general fitness
- Workshops each day focussing on various topics such as strength & conditioning and stretching
- Guest appearances by senior elite athletes
- Social and fun activities to promote the TEAM aspect
The camps are all inclusive including accommodation, meals, activities and of course coaching. It is specifically designed for maximum learning, interpersonal development and most of all FUN.
NOTE: The LEAP Squad requires that all participants be registered with NSW Athletics for the upcoming season of 2025-26. Centre registrations open in August, and therefore you sign up with LEAP with the intention to then register with your Centre.
“The LEAP program gave my child more than I could have expected.
It developed her not only within athletics but also herself”
Parent from the 2022/23 Program
TRANSITION supports athletes progressing through adolescence by bridging the gap between early pathway experiences and higher-performance environments.
Through a combination of technical coaching, education and leadership experiences, athletes develop a greater understanding of training, recovery and performance preparation.
The program includes two streams:
- TRANSITION Performance – for athletes demonstrating readiness for advanced pathway opportunities.
- TRANSITION Futures – supporting athletes with strong long-term development potential.
PATP is the highest level of state-based athlete development support within the NSW Athletics Pathway.
Delivered through the Centre of Excellence, PATP provides selected athletes with year-round access to integrated performance support services, athlete monitoring, education and individual development planning.
The program prepares athletes and coaches for future opportunities within the Australian Athletics high-performance pathway while continuing to support athletes within their own coaching environments.
RAPP provides continued support for athletes whose development journey may not follow a traditional or linear pathway.
The program recognises that athletes may move into and out of national pathway programs throughout their careers and aims to keep them connected to the sport through ongoing education, performance support and athlete development opportunities.
RAPP reinforces the philosophy that athlete development is individual, long-term and influenced by many factors beyond competition results alone.
The Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park is the home of athletics performance support in New South Wales.
The Centre provides athletes and coaches with access to strength and conditioning, performance testing, physiotherapy, recovery services, education and athlete development opportunities while acting as the central hub for NSW Athletics pathway programs.
Grow to Gold is NSW Athletics' flagship research and innovation initiative, developed in partnership with the University of Sydney.
The project investigates growth, maturation, athlete development and long-term progression to improve understanding of how athletes develop throughout adolescence and beyond.
The initiative helps inform future pathway decisions, improve athlete retention and ensure development opportunities are based on long-term potential rather than competition performance alone.
The NSW Athletics Pathway has been designed to complement the Australian Athletics high-performance system.
Working alongside Australian Athletics, NSWIS, the AIS, universities and other key partners, the pathway aims to better prepare athletes and coaches for future national opportunities while strengthening development environments across New South Wales.
One Team. One Pathway.
Team NSW represents the culture of the pathway.
Through camps, pathway programs, education and representative opportunities, athletes and coaches are connected by shared values of:
- Connection
- Leadership
- Learning
- Representation
- Respect
Please contact Athletics NSW Performance & Pathways Team if you have any questions