BASKETBALL WA STATE PERFORMANCE PROGRAM (SPP)

“DEVELOPING AND PREPARING YOUNG BASKETBALL ATHLETES TO REPRESENT WA”

The purpose of the Basketball WA State Performance Program is to identify the State’s most talented athletes and create an intensive training environment that will “develop and prepare young basketball athletes to represent WA” at an Australian Junior Championship.

Basketball WA believes that the establishment of a direct pathway for athletes in the SPP into the State Team Program will improve the quality of State Team performance into the future.

The 2025 State Team squads will be selected from athletes attending the SPP. Therefore, players wishing to represent WA at an Australian Junior Championship will be required to participate in the SPP. A combined SPP/State team trials will be held to form squads.

Following the initial trial phase, squads will be selected with top age and bottom age players in the U16 and U18 age groups to provide a continual development focus. The program will provide players with skills, competition and mental improvement that are required to perform at a high level at an Australian Junior Championships. Once the final State teams have been selected, players will train with their State team coach in preparation for the Australian Junior Championships.

The Basketball WA High Performance Manager may make an exception for a player to only attend the State Team part of the program in special circumstances that support the best outcome for the State Program.

The 2025 State Performance Program’s for U18’s is closed for registration.  

The 2025 State Performance Program’s for U16’s will open in November. 

To see the list of proposed 2025 high-performance dates, please visit https://basketballwa.asn.au/high-performance-dates/.

For any additional queries, please contact: Michelle.Fletcher@basketballwa.asn.au

WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT REQUIRED FROM SPP SQUAD MEMBERS?

• Attend all scheduled weekend camps listed below.
• Regional Athletes are to attend supervised sessions with an SPP Network Coach between Feb-Jun.
• You must make yourself available for selection in the WA State teams program.
• Adhere to policies of Basketball WA SPP.
• A levy of $485 per athlete applies for involvement in the SPP which off-sets the costs of the program (which includes camp costs, training uniforms). This fee is only payable once athletes have been selected to the SPP (following the trials).

COST TO BE IN THE SPP

A levy of $485 per athlete applies for involvement in the SPP which off-sets the costs of the program (which includes camp costs, training uniforms, strength and conditioning programs). This fee is only payable once athletes have been selected to the SPP (following the trials).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

What are the objectives of the SPP?
The stated objectives of the Basketball WA State Performance Program:

• Identify athletes from the SPP trials that display the characteristics and ability required of an elite athlete and train them in a group environment to become a State Team representative.
• Transitioning “potential” into “talent” by developing, reinforcing and monitoring positive training habits.
• Increased contact with expert coaches for our State team athletes.
• Increase the pool of athletes who have the ability to meet State Team standards.
• Further educate the athletes about Sport Science and Sport Medicine concepts.
• Prepare the athletes for Australian Junior Championships in their home environments.
• Improved support for the State team coaches.
• Improved preparation of our bottom aged players
• Provide regional support for identified coaches and athletes
• Act as a resource for their identified region

What does the structure look like?

• The SPP will operate in two age groups (U16’s and U’18’s)
• First phase of SPP is the trial process
• Once selected into SPP squad athletes we move onto to SPP portion of the program
• Camps will be held for each age group
• Further trainings will be had in lead up to State Team selections
• State teams will be selected then the SPP Squad will finish preparations for Nationals
• State Teams attend Nationals

How many athletes will be selected?
Squad sizes will be dependent on the quality of the athletes in that intake. Generally squads will be selected as follows:

• U16 age group: up to a squad of the best 20 male and 20 female athletes for each of the Country and Metro U16 State Team programs (up to 80 athletes in total)
• U18 age group: up to a squad of the best 20 male and 20 female athletes for each of the Country and Metro U18 State Team programs (up to 80 athletes in total)

Can I be selected in a State team without participating in the SPP
All State team players will be expected to be involved in the SPP unless granted special consideration by the Basketball WA High Performance Manager.

What happens if I don’t want to meet all of the requirements of the new SSP (such as attend all camps and SPP sessions)?
It is highly desirable that athletes meet all requirements of the new SPP to give themselves the best chance of being selected to their respective State Squad. Exemptions from training sessions and any SPP Camps may be granted by the Basketball WA High Performance Manager under special circumstances only.

What happens if I am selected to the SPP following the trials and then am cut from the State Squad at a later date ?
Athletes who aren’t selected in the finalised state team, will be reserves and will continue on with all SPP related program until the program ends

How does the structure affect Country athletes?
Country operates the same as Metro. The delivery of some of the requirements may differ slightly (such as the set-up of the SPP home training programs).

What happens if my family is struggling financially and find it difficult to play the SPP levy?
There is a cost involved to be in the SPP. Likewise, there will be a greater cost involved to those athletes who are successful in making a State Team. Any individuals who suffer from financial hardships should contact the Basketball WA High Performance Manager so that their situation may be accessed.

For more information or further clarification please email Dan Donaldson at dan.donaldson@basketballwa.asn.au