Basketball Australia /ACT Academy of Sport /
Basketball ACT
National Performance Program (NPP)
PROGRAM BACKGROUND
SELECTION CRITERIA AND PROCESS
******************
Basketball Australia (BA) High Performance Purpose
To create and sustain a winning environment that provides Australian basketball athletes
and coaches with the opportunity to be continuously successful at major benchmark
competitions and make a significant contribution to Australia’s Winning Edge (AWE) targets.
BA High Performance Vision
Australia is recognised as one of the most successful basketball nations in the World with a
high performance program that maximises the international success of our four senior
National Teams.
BA High Performance Goals

Build a culture of excellence and performance on and off the basketball court.

Develop world class athletes capable of winning medals at Olympics/Paralympics,
World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

Ensure there are high quality coaches preparing basketball athletes to deliver the
best performances when it matters.

Deliver an environment that can prepare our national team athletes to win and be
the best in the world through the Basketball Centre of Excellence

Provide optimal training, and competition structures (domestic and international) for
Australian athletes capable of winning medals.

Generate competitive advantage through the identification of new research, training
techniques, information and equipment to optimize performance
BA ATHLETE CATEGORY NOMINATION GUIDELINES
The below table outlines how Basketball Australia (BA) will apply the AWE athlete
categories linked to selection of our senior national squads and teams as well as
guiding selection of SIS/SAS scholarships through implementation of a nationally
identified list of athletes. An athlete’s category status will be reviewed at least twice
annually in line with major competitions, completion of the international season and
AWE reporting timeframes.
Athletes are expected to show progress to maintain their status as national squad
member. Further, membership of a certain category does not automatically entitle an
athlete to receive support, and athletes within the same category may not receive the
same level of support.
AWE Category
1. Podium
AWE Criteria
A. Individual athlete or playing member of
a team in an Olympic or Paralympic
discipline, who has a medal
performance at a world championship
(or equivalent) event in the previous 24
months and considered capable of a
medal at the next world championship
(or equivalent) event.
2. Podium
Potential
A. Individual athlete or playing member of
a team in an Olympic or Paralympic
discipline, who placed fourth to eighth
at the most recent world championship
(or equivalent) event and considered
capable of progressing to Level 1—
Podium.
B. Individual athlete or member of a
team sport (e.g. squad member) in an
Olympic or Paralympic discipline, who
is considered capable of progressing to
at least Level 2A—Podium Potential in
the next four years.
3. Commonwealth
4. Developing
A.
B.
5. Emerging
A.
Ind Games.
B.
Individual athlete or playing member of a
team who does not satisfy the criteria for
the above categories but had a gold medal
performance at the 2014 Commonwealth
Games and is considered capable of a gold
medal at the next world championship (or
equivalent) event or the 2018
Commonwealth Games
Individual athlete or member of a team
sport in an Olympic or Paralympic
discipline, who is considered capable of
progressing to at least Level 2B - Podium
Potential in the next two years.
Individual athlete or member of a team
sport who does not satisfy the criteria
for the above categories but had a
medal performance at the 2014
Commonwealth Games and is
considered capable of a medal at the
next world championship (or equivalent)
event or the 2018 Commonwealth
Games.
Individual athlete or member of a team
sport in an Olympic or Paralympic
discipline, who is considered capable of
progressing to at least Level 4A –
Developing in the next two years
Individual athlete or member of a team
sport who does not satisfy the criteria of
the above categories but is considered
capable of a medal at the 2018
Commonwealth Games.
BA description
Identified athletes from
senior team at recent
BME that wins a medal
and targeted athletes for
2014/2016
Identified athletes from
senior team at recent
th
BME that places 4 –
th
8 and targeted
athletes for 2014/2016
Senior squad athlete
targeted for 2016
Junior squad or
identified athlete with
an outside chance of
2016 and targeted for
2020 or senior athlete
with a remote chance
for Rio but targeted for
2020.
Junior squad, NITP
athletes targeted for
2020+
NPP accredited delivery centres - Overview
Across the next four years BA will continue to develop and target talent with an emphasis on
achieving our AWE targets in Rio and beyond.
We will:

Focus our Emerging Athlete programs to give nationally identified athletes access to
the BA Centre of Excellence in Canberra and in State programs. These programs will
provide and allow the structured but accelerated development of our athletes via the
provision of more targeted technical, physical, tactical and personal development
and support that is consistent with the individual plans of all targeted athletes.
Successful development of a curriculum based on the Australian style of play will be
critical in improving the quality of our development programs.

Ensure the development and use of Individual Performance and Servicing Plans as the
key driver of athlete development and performance.

Ensure the successful implementation of an athlete monitoring system that is
designed to provide us with the mechanism of support in achieving the individual
performance plans.
The ACTAS/BACT NPP is a partnership between Basketball ACT (BACT), the ACT Government
through the ACT Academy of Sport (ACTAS) and Basketball Australia (BA).
The program is conducted as part of BA’s National High Performance Pathway and will
provide a quality daily training environment (DTE) to support nationally identified and
talented ACT basketball athletes who will underpin BA’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) and
National Team’s Programs and objectives.
Selection Philosophy
The ACTAS/BACT NPP is focused on long term athlete development by providing coaching,
servicing as well as individual support to nationally identified athletes who demonstrate the
necessary attributes to progress to the higher levels of basketball.
BACT and ACTAS are committed to selecting athletes who, not only have the athletic talent,
but have the desire and passion to commit holistically to their DTE and a their NPP.
The BACT/ACTAS NPP Program will offer up to 12 scholarships yearly.
BACT may also provide support up to 12 non-ACTAS scholarship holders within the NPP and
at its discretion.
These athletes will be identified by BACT as ‘Emerging Talent Athletes’ (Tier 5) athletes.
Eligibility Criteria
Athletes seeking selection to the ACTAS/BACT Scholarship Program must meet the following
criteria;
1. Are a Nationally Identified athlete and on the BA Depth Chart (i.e. above the line).
2. Must be a member of BACT or qualify to compete for the ACT at National
Championships.
3. Must meet Basketball Australia’s eligibility criteria for the National Championships
and play for Australia.
4. Must be in good standing with their Club and BACT including no disciplinary action
currently being pursued against them and are financially viable.
5. Must compete in the BACT competition.
6. Must attend all activities identified in the Selection Requirements
a) Where an athlete is unable to attend an activity identified in the Selection
Requirements because of injury/sickness or extraordinary circumstances they
can seek an exemption if they meet the requirements outlined in the
Exemption Process.
7. Must be of a physical, mental health and fitness standard consistent of a high
performance athlete
NB: ‘Eligibility’ does not necessarily guarantee an ACTAS Scholarship offer. This will be dependent on the
number of scholarships available and athletes will need to gain the necessary recommendation from the
BACT High Performance Director, BA National or CoE Coaching staff and subsequent endorsement from the
ACTAS Joint Management Committee (JMC).
ACTAS / NPP Selection Criteria and Process
Each athlete will be considered against all selection criteria.
ACT based Athlete’s that are Nationally targeted and nominated by BA National and CoE
Associate Coaches and the BACT HP Director would likely have, or be developing, many of
the attributes of an Australian Opal, Boomer, Roller or Glider including the following;




Physical – speed, size, strength, power, endurance, length, (anthropometric
characteristics such as height and wing span), in addition to meeting physical
benchmarks such as vertical jump, Yo-Yo test, agility push and 7 minute push).
Skill Package – dribbling and passing skills, very proficient shooter under pressure
and shoots consistently well at BME’s. Has the ability to defend.
Character – Has an internal drive to be great; helps his or her team-mates to be
better. His or her teams generally win! Competes and has a toughness and resilience
and never gives up. Always mentally prepared for trainings and competition.
Culture – has an ability to work effectively with different coaches and styles of play.
Adapts well under pressure and is effective without structure. Has strong leadership
and communication skills and is a great ambassador for the team/sport.
Understands the importance of building upon the legacy.

Basketball IQ – Has a good “feel” for the game – makes the right reads, constantly
making good decisions under pressure. Understands their role within the team and
has an ability to take instructions and implement the game plan.
In addition to the National Selection Criteria, BACT would also seek athletes with the
following positive attributes;
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Have a positive “can do” attitude & passion for basketball.
Demonstrated ability to be highly receptive to coaching.
Be hardworking, competitive and take personal responsibility for their
development and performances.
Are socially compatible within a group, are unselfish and are “teamy”.
Demonstrated desire to be succeed in their educational, vocational and personal
life in addition to their basketball development.
Are versatile and can play multi-positions.
A prospective ACTAS/BACT NPP scholarship athlete would unlikely have all the above
attributes however would demonstrate most of them and would have the potential to
develop all of them in time. In team sports there will always be an element of subjectivity in
the selection process.
There is no application process for ACTAS Scholarships and NPP Agreements – the Criteria
above will be applied by National Coaches and the BACT High Performance Director.
The athlete’s potential to meet the Selection Criteria is assessed through some or all of the
following activities;





Observation and evaluation of the athlete’s performance at Club/State Rep games.
Performances in BACT State & Development Squad Trainings/Trials/Camps.
BACT NPP Training Sessions, Camps and Trials.
Performances at lead up key benchmark events e.g. ECC, Southern Cross Challenge
& the National Junior Classic
Performances at National Championships
ACTAS - Additional Selection Criteria
1. Capacity for ACTAS to “make a difference” to the athlete’s on-going development.
2. Capacity and willingness of the athlete to utilise ACTAS performance services to
enhance their athletic development.
3. Supplementary important criteria against which an athlete may be assessed include;
i. The athlete’s performances & results in previous year. (This also includes
coach-ability, off court behaviour, disciplinary matters, attendance and
performance at school).
ii. Current or former ACTAS Scholarship athlete’s usage of ACTAS services and
commitment to developing as an elite athlete including their willingness to
take direction from ACTAS service staff and coaches.
iii. Effectiveness of communication with ACTAS staff will also be assessed.
iv.
Athlete’s interview – potential scholarship holders may be requested to
present their case for selection to the Selection Panel and/or or ACTAS
Management.
BACT Selection Panel
The BACT Selection panel will be responsible for  seeking ACTAS performance service staff feedback on individual athletes;
 selecting athletes that best meet the prescribed selection criteria; and
 who have the best potential to advance to the higher levels of the sport including
National representation.
The BACT Selection Panel will consist of members of the BACT Coaching and High
Performance Pathways Committee (which includes the BACT/ACTAS High Performance
Director/Head Coach) and any invited BA National Team Coaches/ BA CoE HP Coaches
totalling 5 members.
The Selection Panel will be responsible for making recommendations through the ACTAS
Program Manager to the JMC which comprises key program partners including
representatives from BA, ACTAS and BACT.
All members of the Selection Panel must declare any real or perceived conflicts of interest
to the CEO of BACT and Manager, ACTAS (both JMC reps). It is the responsibility of these
two persons to determine if a conflict of interest could affect the outcome of the selection
process, and if so, replace the member of the BACT Selection Panel.
In the event that one or more of these individuals is unavailable to fulfil the role of selector
for any reason, the BACT CEO and/or ACTAS Manager will appoint a suitably qualified
replacement.
BACT State Coaches and the Selection Panel will have the scope to encourage athletes to
nominate for an ACTAS/BACT Program. In encouraging athlete nominations, it must be
clear that this does not constitute pre-selection and the athlete will still be required to meet
the selection criteria.
Selection Process
ACTAS/BACT High Performance Director, in collaboration with BA National Coaches and CoE
Associate Coaches will agree on the ‘Developing’ (Tier 4) and ‘Emerging’ (Tier 5) athletes
automatically eligible for nomination to ACTAS.
Nominated athletes will then be submitted to BACT’s Coaching and High Performance
Pathways Committee for further discussion and assessment as to an individual’s suitability
to the Program. Additional BACT and BA High Performance Coaches may be consulted
through this evaluation process.
As a final stage of the selection process, potential ACTAS scholarship athletes will be asked
to undertake pre-scholarship screenings (i.e. medical, physio, psychological, strength &
conditioning, nutrition and personal excellence) prior to a final list of scholarship
recommendations list being sent to, and ratified by, the ACTAS JMC.
JMC ratified athletes will be sent a letter of offer along with scholarship contracts and
documentation where it is expected athletes will attend an ACTAS Basketball Parent and
Player Information evening outlining their obligations, commitments, expectations prior to
signing their contracts.
Upon signing scholarship contracts all athletes will be placed on three month probation.
Appeals Process
A nominating or nominated athlete that has not been selected to the ACTAS/BACT NPP has
the right to appeal the decision in accordance with the BACT appeals policy.
Power to Amend
This selection policy can be amended at any time by BACT, ACTAS or BA if the JMC is of the
opinion that such an amendment is necessary as a result of any change in BA’s High
Performance guidelines, to give effect to the policy following discovery of a drafting error or
oversight or for any other reason determined to be in the best interests of BACT and/or
ACTAS.
BACT shall not be responsible or liable in any way to anyone as a result of any such
amendment.