Emerging Talented Athlete Program (ETAP)

Nurturing the development of athletic potential and performance

Vision

To guide and support emerging talented athletes in their pursuit of sporting excellence, personal growth, and pathway success.

Overview

The Emerging Talented Athlete Program ETAP aims to guide and support talented and committed athletes along their pathway to ‘pre-elite’ success in their chosen sport/s whilst a student of SPCC. With a focus on nurturing the holistic growth and development of emerging talented athletes through a wide range of support structures and initiatives, this program aims to help them achieve sporting success reflective of their potential and aspirations.

For a more detailed overview of the program, please refer to the document below:

Program Philosophy

The SPCC ETAP focuses on 5 core components, recognised as the essential elements that build the foundation for athletic development and success

Five components of holistic athletic development:

1. High Performance Habits
Sleep, nutrition, recovery, and time management.

2. Life Outside Sport
Balance through relationships, academics, and wellbeing.

3. Mindset and Motivation
Resilience, motivation, and coping strategies.

4. Physical Development
Strength, fitness, and injury prevention.

5. Competitive Success
Skill execution and decision-making.

Program Phases

Each phase involves increasing levels of individualised ETAP support, reflective of the student’s level of physical, social and emotional maturity, growth and development, as well as the natural increase in the level of competition and commitment required for ongoing progress and success in sporting pathways. These phase descriptions are a guide, and flexibility is required to accommodate students at varying stages and ages of development.  
 

Foundation Phase (Years 7–8)

Emphasis on developing fundamental movement skills through strength, speed and agility training, motor learning, and continued multi-sport participation. Mentoring focussed on character development in sport though early-adolescence, and establishing the foundational life habits required for future sporting commitments.  

Developing Phase (Years 9–10)

Specialisation often begins to increase with more structured sport-specific technical and tactical development, as well as an increased focus on strength and conditioning. Mental skills training increases in value as level of competition increases. Mentoring is focussed on wellbeing though mid-adolescence.

Performance Phase (Years 11–12)

More advanced training, performance planning, and academic flexibility is required to support increasing levels of commitment. Mentoring is focussed on sports leadership, academic support and post school pathways through late adolescence.

ETAP Support Initiatives

A range of support initiatives will be offered to ETAP Students (phase dependant)

• Established relationship with a trusted ETAP Mentor
• Development of an annual Athlete Develop Plan
• Specialised workshop presentations
• Support and/or supervision of individualised strength, conditioning and sprint programs
• Access to school facilities as required
• Appropriate academic support and variations

Contact

For more information about the SPCC ETAP including the nomination application, please contact:

Andrew Ponsen
Director of Active Learning / Lead Educator PDHPE
B.HPE (B.Ed), ASCA Level 1 Strength & Conditioning
(02) 4960 6600

Apply Now:

Emerging Talented Athlete Program - Student Application Form

Applications close Friday 21st November 2025 (Week 6)