Sporting Excellence Programme 2023

EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME

EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME

Recovery Workshop An informative recovery webinar will be held to educate athletes on the significance of recovery and the diverse methods available to enhance their training. This webinar aims to go beyond simplistic notions like “stretching and ice baths help you recover” and provide students with a comprehensive understanding of recovery techniques. To further support their exploration of recovery methods, we can integrate the Oura ring. This device offers self-exploration videos and guides that help users gain knowledge about various recovery techniques. Some of these techniques include: 1. Meditation: Exploring the benefits of meditation for relaxation, focus, and mental well-being. 2. Breathing: Understanding how different breathing techniques can promote recovery and enhance overall performance. 3. Energy Reset: Techniques to rejuvenate energy levels and optimize recovery after intense training sessions. 4. Maintaining Focus: Strategies for staying focused and managing distractions during training and recovery. 5. Improving Sleep: Learning about the factors that affect sleep quality and implementing practices to enhance restorative sleep. 6. Understanding Other Impacts on Rest: Exploring additional factors, such as nutrition, hydration, and environmental conditions, that can influence rest and recovery. 7. Managing Stress: Techniques and coping mechanisms for effectively managing stress, which can impact recovery and overall well-being. By incorporating these topics into the recovery webinar and providing resources like the Oura ring’s self-exploration videos and guides, athletes will have a comprehensive understanding of various recovery techniques and their potential benefits.

Wellbeing Support While schools often have counsellors and general support systems in place, they may not specifically cater to students with significant sporting commitments. It is crucial to have professional support from someone who understands the unique demands, pressures, and commitments associated with sports. I have personally found this to be one of the most valuable programs available. Wellbeing delivery can be approached in various ways, including webinars, workshops (tailored to different year levels), and individual support based on the specific needs of the students. The topics that can be covered in the wellbeing support include: Growth Mindset: Application in both athletic and life pursuits. Values, Skills, and Strengths: Identification and application in personal and athletic development. Personality and Strength Profiling: Understanding one’s own personality traits and strengths. Goal Setting: Exploring the importance and application of setting goals for personal and athletic success. Skills for Success: Identifying and overcoming obstacles that may hinder progress. Personal Organisation: Strategies for achieving life balance and managing time effectively. Study Skills: Assessing individual learning styles and discovering effective study techniques. Self-Management: Techniques for managing oneself, including stress management and self-care practices. Support Networks: Building and utilizing a network of support for overall well-being and success. I ndividual Pathway Exploration: Guiding athletes in exploring their unique pathways and potential opportunities. Additionally, this support would provide an opportunity to assist excellence program athletes in effectively managing their academic commitments alongside their sporting pursuits.

Social Media Education In today’s social media-driven age, where the majority of school-age students engage with various platforms daily, there is a lack of education surrounding responsible social media use. These webinars aim to address two crucial aspects of social media use. 1. Social Media Awareness: The presenter, who is a representative from the Australian Federal Police department, will educate the athletes about the potential pitfalls and dangers associated with social media. They will showcase the importance of being cautious with personal information online by collating public information available about the students in the programme. This eye-opening webinar will emphasise that anything posted on the internet remains there indefinitely and accessible to anyone. It is crucial to note that all content shared during this webinar is treated with utmost confidentiality. social media, it is essential to recognise that it is a permanent part of our lives. Therefore, this webinar will focus on leveraging social media to benefit the athletes. They will learn how to build a positive online presence and personal brand that appeals to potential sponsors, colleges, and self-promotion purposes. The session will provide guidance on effectively using social media to enhance opportunities and showcase their talents and achievements. By addressing both the dangers and advantages of social media, these webinars aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the online world responsibly and make the most of its potential benefits. Parental Education Managing dedicated, high performing athletes can be challenging for parents. This educational programme is designed to provide parents with constructive ways to support their aspiring sports stars. It aims to offer valuable insights into sporting pathways, putting everything into perspective. 2. Using Social Media to Your Advantage: While we acknowledge the potential risks of

By delivering a webinar tailored for parents, we can provide parents with the necessary knowledge and understanding to effectively support their student athletes in their pursuit of sporting excellence. This education will equip parents with tools and strategies to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities that arise in the sporting journey. The focus of the webinar is to foster a positive and supportive environment for both the athlete and their parents. It aims to promote healthy and balanced parent-child relationships, while emphasising the significance of positive reinforcement, realistic expectations, and effective communication. By providing this guidance, parents will be empowered to navigate the complexities of the sporting world and ensure their child’s well-being and growth throughout their athletic endeavours. Additional Topics In addition to the existing educational topics, there is the potential to incorporate other important subjects into the programme to further support the development of athletes. These topics may include: 1. Correct Garment Fitting: Providing education on the importance of fitting supportive garments properly to emphasise significance of comfort and to prevent injury. 2. Media Skills: Offering guidance to develop media skills, including effective communication, social media etiquette, and building a positive online presence. 3. Assistance in Studying at a College in the US: Providing information and resources to support athletes who aspire to study and compete at colleges in the United States, including guidance on the application process, scholarships, and adapting to the collegiate sports system. 4. Additional Relevant Topics: Exploring other subjects that are deemed important to the athletes’ overall development, such as sports psychology, leadership skills, sports nutrition, injury prevention, time management, or personal finance. By incorporating these additional education topics, the programme can provide a comprehensive and well-rounded approach to the athletes’ development, equipping them with valuable knowledge and skills that extend beyond their sports performance.

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