PATHWAYS 2020 - revolutioniseSPORT

WA

PATHWAYS PROGRAM

STRATEGIC PLAN

2017-2020

PATHWAYS 2020

WA Pathways Program Strategic Plan 2017-2020 2

VISION: To consistently produce world-class rowers

MISSION:

11% of athletes in the National Training Centres by 2020

11% of Australia’s Under 23 Rowing team by 2020

1 x winning crew at each Interstate Regatta

VALUES:

Performance - Achieving superior rowing results by defining and

implementing a nation’s-best pathways program.

Sustainability - Putting a structured programme in place that withstands

personnel changes, is supported by and leverages the greater rowing

community.

Accountability - Defining and accepting appropriate criteria and

responsibility, and delivering on commitments.

Integrity - Doing what is right and doing what we say we will do.

Respect - Embracing openness, trust, teamwork and relationships that

are mutually beneficial.


OBJECTIVES:

Create a high performance culture in WA

Increase number and retention of athletes in the talent pathway

Improve capability and capacity of the high performance system in WA

Develop sustainable talent recruitment and retention programs

STRATEGIES:

1. Strong technical and governance system leadership

2. Embrace collaboration amongst pathway system partners

3. Invest in our best athletes and coaches

4. Systematically identify and nurture our best athletes of the future

5. Regularly monitor program success including pathway athletes, partners

and coaches

6. Diversify pathway opportunities

Table of Contents

Vision ....................................................................................................................................................... 2

Mission .................................................................................................................................................... 2

Values ...................................................................................................................................................... 2

Objectives ............................................................................................................................................... 3

Strategies ................................................................................................................................................ 3

Table of Figures ....................................................................................................................................... 5

Abbreviations and Terms ........................................................................................................................ 5

1. Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 6

2. Strong Technical and Governance system leadership .................................................................... 8

Governance ......................................................................................................................................... 8

Leadership ........................................................................................................................................... 9

3. Embrace collaboration amongst Pathway System Partners ......................................................... 11

Other pathway stakeholders will be invited to contribute as required. .......................................... 11

Daily Training Environment ............................................................................................................... 11

WAIS .................................................................................................................................................. 11

Pathway Partner Clubs ...................................................................................................................... 11

4. Invest in our best athletes and coaches........................................................................................ 13

Athletes ............................................................................................................................................. 13

Clubs and Coaches ............................................................................................................................ 13

5. Systematically identify and nurture our best athletes of the future ............................................ 14

Talent Identification .......................................................................................................................... 14

6. Regularly monitor program success including Athletes, Partners and Coaches ........................... 15

Overall Program Assessment & Measurement ................................................................................. 15

Club Development and Assessment ................................................................................................. 15

Athlete Monitoring and Support....................................................................................................... 15

7. Diversify Pathway Opportunities .................................................................................................. 16

Para Rowing ...................................................................................................................................... 16

Lightweight Rowing ........................................................................................................................... 16


Table of Figures

Figure 1: Graphic representation of the leadership structure for Pathways 2020. ................................ 9

Abbreviations and Terms

Abbreviation Definition

CEO Chief Executive Officer

DSR Department of Sport and Recreation

DTE Daily Training Environment

FTEM Foundation, Talent, Elite, Mastery Framework

HP High Performance

ILPP Individual Learning & Performance Plan

JOG Joint Operations Group

PPMG Performance Pathway Management Group

PPC Pathway Partner Club

RA Rowing Australia Inc.

RWA Rowing Association of Western Australia (Inc.)

SLSWA Surf Life Saving Western Australia

TID Talent Identification

WAIS Western Australian Institute of Sport

WAIS PET Western Australian Institute of Sport

Performance Enhancement Team

1. OVERVIEW

The high performance (HP) pathway environment in Western Australia has evolved since

2010 following recommendations from the Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR)

review and feedback and insights from the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) and

Rowing HP stakeholders at various times.

In 2014, it was recognised that the HP pathway was not producing the same level of

talented athletes through the pathway to the national team as previous HP models had.

Since then various iterations of the HP pathway have taken steps to re-align pathway

partners and ensure greater collaboration and accountability to ultimately focus on

producing a greater number of talented rowers in the pathway that result in WA having a

larger representation on senior and under-age national teams.

Over the past two years the three HP Club programs (of varying maturity) have further

developed with the addition of one full time coach to the system, greater acknowledgement

and support of HP rowing and a re-defined HP club funding structure that ensures greater

accountability. Another full-time paid coach has also been added outside the club system.

In May 2015 the program that sat underneath the traditional WAIS scholarship holders

(WAIS Training Agreement athletes) commenced with quality athletes who were looking for

direction. A full-time volunteer coach looked after this cohort of athletes until a formalised

agreement was put in place in late 2015. This model is a middle ground between a fully

club-based pathway model and the early 2000‘s HP models of the WAIS “Super Club”. WAIS

Training Agreement athletes receive technical coaching exposure and Strength and

Conditioning provisions.

The HP stakeholders in WA have made a firm commitment to further align resources, skills

and financial investment to ensure the capacity and effectiveness of the HP pathway in WA

is enhanced as much as possible. WA has historically demonstrated that it is a very strong

rowing state and can produce national representatives well above its per capita average of

11%.

Elements of Pathways 2020 were trialled during 2016 as a result of years of evolution. This

model has proven results even in the short space of time it has been operational. Following

this trial, Pathways 2020 will include the strengthening of stakeholder alignment and

collaboration in all areas.

HP stakeholders agreed that WAIS will take on the ‘Technical Leadership’ role of the whole

HP system. Rowing Australia (RA), WAIS and the Rowing Association of Western Australia

(RWA) will collectively form the strategic leadership group.


The Australian Sports Commission’s Foundation, Talent, Elite, Mastery (FTEM) framework

will be used to develop athlete, club and coaching pathways including criteria related to the

athlete transition from one tier to another. This will be the basis for the management of the

pathway. The inclusion of clubs in this framework will allow the definition of what is

required to manage athletes at each tier of the pathway (i.e. defined levels of HP club

maturity). Similarly, the coaching pathway criteria will clarify what is required of a coach at

each tier, which will guide the development of coach education programs.

The FTEM diagram above shows the focus of the pathway partners on the FTEM pathway.

The heat signature illustrates where the resources and focus of each pathway partner

should be directed. This very clearly shows the synergy between all pathway partners and

the alignment of resources.


2. STRONG TECHNICAL AND GOVERNANCE SYSTEM LEADERSHIP

Governance

Pathways 2020 will be governed by a tri-party joint management arrangement between RA,

Rowing WA and WAIS called the Performance Pathway Management Group (PPMG). Other

stakeholders will be invited onto this group as required.

Strategy governance leadership will be driven by the RWA Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Strategy technical leadership will be managed by WAIS, primarily through the WAIS Head

Coach.

Pathway Partners will be engaged in the strategy through formal pathway partnership

agreements that will ensure relevant KPIs are developed, monitored and measured, aligning

to the overall pathway strategy and CampaignNumberOne. The formalisation of these

processes and the attainment of agreed outcomes fits with the increased accountability

agreed to by all pathway partners through the formation of this strategy.

Pathway Partners may include:

Affiliated rowing clubs

Associated rowing schools

Other pathway stakeholders

RWA and WAIS will provide governance and technical leadership to the program and utilise

a representative committee to provide review and recommendation functions throughout

the term of the plan. This special purpose committee termed the Joint Operations Group

(JOG) will include representatives from:

WAIS

Rowing WA

Rowing Australia

Pathway Partner Clubs

The following stakeholders may be invited to attend JOG meetings as required:

Current and/or previous HP athletes

School rowing representatives

Other pathway stakeholders

This committee will provide recommendations to the PPMG on strategic and operational

developments related to Pathways 2020.


Leadership

Figure 1 provides a graphic representation of the leadership structure for Pathways 2020.

Figure 1: Graphic representation of the leadership structure for Pathways 2020.

The WAIS Performance Enhancement Team (PET) Director - National Programs and RWA

CEO will provide oversight to the implementation of WA Pathways Program as they will

manage the financial contributions from RA, WAIS and RWA and sign off on the acquittal

documentation for RA.

Beyond this, both of these roles will form part of the PPMG and JOG and provide the

following managerial assistance:

The RWA CEO will be the Chair of the JOG and provide governance leadership to the

ongoing program.

The WAIS Performance Enhancement Team Director - National Programs will play a

pivotal role in the daily operational and budget oversight.

The JOG will operate as per their defined Terms or Reference in Appendix A.

The WAIS Head Coach will be the Technical Lead in Pathways 2020. This role will include:

Daily management of Individual Learning & Performance Plan (ILPP) for the state’s

top athletes.

PPMG

Joint Operations Group

WAIS Head

Coach

WAIS Pathway

Coach Pathway Club

Head Coaches

Pathway Club

Dev. Coaches

School

Coaches

RWA Dev.

Manager


Mentoring of club pathway coaches in their own environment and include them in

the WAIS environment where possible.

Provision of advice and support regarding the improvement of club-based HP

programs.

The WAIS Pathway Coach will provide coaching support to the WAIS Head Coach and

manage the establishment and delivery of:

development of quality relationships with school rowing coaches

increased rower transition from school to club

non-traditional rowing school Talent Identification (TID) Testing

pathway Camps/Tours and Schools Draft.

Pathway Club Head Coaches will be responsible for managing a high quality Daily Training

Environment (DTE) for identified pathway athletes. They will:

provide direct on-water and off-water coaching services

provide daily management of ILPP

engage in ongoing Pathways 2020 strategic and operational planning and reporting

mentor Club Development Coaches and provide individual pathway athlete support

and guidance.

Pathway Club Development Coaches will provide operational support to Pathway Club

Head Coaches as required. In most instances they will:

provide direct on-water and off-water coaching services as directed by the Pathway

Club Head Coach

support pathway events and programs as part of their professional development.

School Coaches will be engaged on an as needed basis and are a key stakeholder for the

WAIS Pathway Coach. School coaches will be invited to be involved in:

schools draft

TID testing

pathway events

pathway camps

other pathway programs.

The RWA Development Manager does not have a direct role within Pathways 2020,

however will collaborate with the WAIS Pathway Coach with respect to the engagement of

non-traditional rowing schools. Beyond this, the Development Manager may support

specific activities that have a wider benefit outside of direct Pathway objectives. The RWA

Development Manager’s involvement in Pathways 2020 will be guided by the RWA CEO.

NOTE: Ultimately all personnel involved in Pathways 2020 are ultimately responsible to their direct

employers. Responsibilities as assigned through PPC agreements acknowledge the collaboration and

consultation that is required under this strategy


3. EMBRACE COLLABORATION AMONGST PATHWAY SYSTEM PARTNERS

One of the cornerstones of Pathways 2020 will be improved collaboration at the strategic

and operational level of the program.

Locally, the program will be overseen by the Pathways 2020 JOG. It will be composed of high

performance pathway stakeholders representing:

Rowing WA

Rowing Australia

WAIS

Pathway Partner Clubs.

Other pathway stakeholders will be invited to contribute as required.

Daily Training Environment

To ensure the greatest success in providing the best DTE possible, collaboration between

WAIS and Pathway Partner Clubs (PPCs) is critical.

WAIS and PPCs will provide an essential DTE for identified pathway athletes. The DTE for all

pathway athletes will be overseen by the WAIS Head Coach and be supported by WAIS

Sports Science and Sports Medicine service providers.

WAIS and PPCs will work collaboratively on enhancing the DTE for all pathway athletes. This

may be through direct intervention, support services, ILPP modifications, and other

methods as applicable to the athlete.

WAIS

WAIS will provide the highest quality DTE to service the state’s best athletes. The new $30m

WAIS Sports Science Centre is one of the best in Australia and offers athletes access to the

highest quality equipment, personnel and athlete support to assist rowers to achieve their

best.

The WAIS Head Coach, Pathway Coach and other personnel provide technical support to the

entire pathway, working collaboratively with Club Program Partners to deliver the best DTE

possible for Pathway athletes.

Pathway Partner Clubs

PPCs will play an integral role in both strategic and operational aspects of achieving

Pathways 2020.

Clubs identified as PPCs are key stakeholders within Pathways 2020 and will be consulted as

necessary on implementation. Through the PPCs ongoing communication and collaboration

with other program stakeholders, they will gain a greater understanding of the wider HP

rowing environment and the importance and impact of the role they play.


Operationally, PPCs will work with WAIS to deliver a high quality DTE for identified pathway

athletes. They will be required to collaborate regularly with WAIS on the delivery and

monitoring of all ILPPs.

PPCs are encouraged to develop positive relationships with rowing school administrators in

collaboration with the WAIS-led pathway programs

PPC programs and head coaches will be developed primarily through the increased

collaboration with WAIS, including its coaches and performance personnel. PPC coaches will

have greater direct contact with these WAIS personnel including direct mentoring and club

program assessments by the WAIS Head Coach.


4. INVEST IN OUR BEST ATHLETES AND COACHES

Pathways 2020 will be financed by a four year financial commitment between RA, WAIS and

RWA. This will be managed through a fully operationalised budget, reviewed annually as

part of the overall program review and operational planning processes by the Pathways

2020 PPMG and JOG.

Although financial and in-kind support from and/or to RA, WAIS, RWA and PPCs will be

confirmed annually through the operational planning process, it is understood that all

program partners are committed to supporting Pathways 2020, pending extraordinary

circumstances occurring.

Athletes

Within the Pathways 2020 budget, funds have been allocated to support pathway athletes

invited to Senior and Under-Age Trials. Once the number of athletes are known the funds

will be apportioned.

Clubs and Coaches

Performance based funding will be received from RA for individual athletes (if categorised)

and coaches who are selected on a national team. The allocation of performance funding to

clubs/WAIS will:

reward the success of the athlete, coach and program

provides for the improvement of the high performance environment to ensure

continued results.

PPCs may receive annual financial support to assist the delivery of Pathways 2020

outcomes. This funding program will replace the previous RWA High Performance

Development Program. PPC funding decisions will be determined by a sub-committee of the

Pathways 2020 JOG.


5. SYSTEMATICALLY IDENTIFY AND NURTURE OUR BEST ATHLETES OF THE

FUTURE

Talent Identification

The WAIS Pathway Coach will deliver all pathway programs with support from other

program partners including RWA, clubs, schools and other stakeholders. These programs

will include:

Talent Detection: TID testing of non-rowers has a low return on investment but it is

still regarded as an important component of pathway athlete detection. The WAIS

Pathway Coach will train a team of personnel, from program partners, proficient in

the use of testing equipment to capture potential rowers from non-traditional

rowing schools within the rowing pathway program. The WAIS or Club Pathway

Coaches will be utilised to fast track any potential talent identified through TID

testing.

Schools Draft: This program will be used to identify athletes to become part of one

of a number of pathway programs designed for school aged or school leaving

rowers. The draft is targeted at the traditional rowing schools and includes a period

of on water and off water testing to measure the current and future capabilities of

the next generation of rowers. The timing of the Schools Draft will be dependent on

the Rowing Australia national Schools Draft Camp

Pathway Camps: Camps will be held twice a year, identified and targeted traditional

school rowers will be invited to attend two technical rowing camps of two to three

days duration. RWA State Team Youth Eight crews and coaches will be involved to

expose the school rowers to non-school coaches, rowers, facilities, equipment and

training techniques.

Pathway VIII Program: RWA and WAIS will implement a structured recruitment,

selection and training program for schoolboys and schoolgirls Pathway VIII crews.

Due to the timing of the respective school racing seasons these programs will be

designed differently to accommodate the demands of school rowing. This school

linkage provides a great opportunity to expose school rowers to a non-school rowing

environment and encourage them to continue rowing after school.

Talent Transfer: WAIS will work with internal departments to assess the opportunity

to transfer athletes from other sports into rowing. RWA will endeavour to work with

Surf Life Saving Western Australia (SLSWA) to develop a pathway program that offers

the ‘Olympic Dream’ opportunity to HP athletes currently within SLSWA.


6. REGULARLY MONITOR PROGRAM SUCCESS INCLUDING ATHLETES,

PARTNERS AND COACHES

Overall Program Assessment & Measurement

Overall and annual program KPIs will be developed by the Pathways 2020 PPMG and JOG

within the annual operational planning process. KPIs will be developed to deliver the

Pathways 2020 Mission, Objectives and Strategies.

Progress toward these KPIs will be assessed regularly by the PPMG and JOG to allow for

realignment of objectives.

Club Development and Assessment

The performance of PPCs and other partners will be assessed against the KPIs outlined in

the annual operational plan, as relevant to their program area.

Program partners will receive professional development through a variety of mechanisms:

technical mentoring from WAIS Head Coach

opportunity for regular collaboration with program partners on technical aspects of

rowing and training

support, advice and access to Sports Science and Sports Medicine personnel, testing

and equipment to supplement on water training programs

coaching workshops and conferences provided by RWA and RA.

Athlete Monitoring and Support

Once athletes are identified through Pathways 2020, they will access a range of support and

monitoring services based on their tier. Most notably this will include an ILPP. Athletes will

also gain access to education and learning resources at a reduced rate or free of charge

(dependant on tier).

Athlete data will be closely monitored to use in longitudinal analysis and personal

progression as well as de-identified state wide data comparisons for program partners.

Athlete ILPPs, data analysis and comparisons will be managed by WAIS and distributed

under strict adherence to their Privacy Policy


7. DIVERSIFY PATHWAY OPPORTUNITIES

Para Rowing

Western Australia has a significant history in the identification and development of Para

Rowers. In years gone by a specific para rowing Incorporated Association called Freedom of

the River operated out of the RWA Canning Bridge facility. This entity has since been

integrated into the core business of RWA, but the principles of inclusive rowing still exist.

Recent history has shown the ability of the WA para rowing system to deliver athletes to the

highest level. This has been driven by cooperation between RWA and club based programs.

Moving forward, the pathway for para rowers will be formalised to identify up to two clubs

with the resources and facilities to support the development of para rowers. RWA will

support these clubs with opportunities to upskill coaches and support staff on para rowing

methodology. Depending on the final pathway budget some funding may be provided to

these clubs to financially support the specific operational needs of a para rowing program.

Some para rowing initiatives are already underway, with several learn to row courses

planned for late 2017.

Lightweight Rowing

Similar to the RA NTC’s inclusive strategy for lightweight rowers, the WA pathway approach

will integrate lightweight with heavyweight rowing programs within the aforementioned

proposed model.

TID for lightweight rowers will include tailored protocols. This needs to be developed in

conjunction with athlete welfare and ethical standards, with respect to physical

development and growth.

Pathways 2020 will:

further research lightweight TID opportunities in other sports to streamline TID

methodology

closely liaise with university rowing programs to identify and manage lightweight

talent development with recent school leavers.

PATHWAYS 2020 - revolutioniseSPORT

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