National Squad and the High Performance Program
National Squad Overview
The National Squad and its High Performance Program (HPP) is designed to optimize and support athlete performance, and is managed by the AFF's High Performance Commission (HPC).
National Squad Members participate in the High Performance Program and have priority for selection to represent Australia.
The High Performance Program (HPP) allows athletes to work together with the HPC, the National Coaching Team, led by the National Technical Director for each weapon, and provides access to a range of resources across technical, physical, strategic, mindset, and other areas.
Pathways to representation
Selection Priority for National Squad Members
Being a National Squad Member means you are eligible to be selected to represent Australia in International Events. Some events are only open to National Squad Members, and other events National Squad Members have priority in selection.
From November 1, 2021 the amended Selections and Rankings Policy will take effect. In essence these changes will substantially affect cadet, junior, and senior categories as follows:
- Selection for International Championships (Asian Championships, World Championships, Commonwealth Championships, Asian Games, and other nominated championships) will be made from National Squad Members.
- Selection for HPC Designated Events will be made from National Squad Members.
- Selection for International Event (Non-Designated) are on a priority basis for National Squad Members but are also open to athletes who are not National Squad Members.
- Selection for International Events (Other) is on a priority basis for National Squad Members but is thereafter open to athletes who are not National Squad Members.
National Squad High Performance Program Outline
Detail of the HPP is set out in the High Performance Program Outline document. This details the High Performance Program benefits to National Squad Members This addresses the following:
- Overview of the program
- National Squad Process
- National Squad Member expectations
- National Squad High Performance Program Scope
- National Squad – Development Pathways for different ages
National Squad Youth Category
Involvement in the National Squad is an important development pathway for young fencers connecting them with the National Squad Infrastructure – the National Technical Director, the National Coaching Team, the broader National Squad, which allows fencers to benefit from a consistent education stream, technical pathway, opportunities for training through multiple camps, and to develop a guided and structured approach to fencing development.
Importantly, National Squad Youth Category fencers will not be eligible for selection in any of the older categories (cadet, junior, senior) while they remain members of the National Squad Youth Category. If a fencer wishes to be eligible for selection in other age categories, then that fencer must either (a) at the beginning of the nomination cycle, nominate for the National Squad Member (Adult) or transfer to this category at least ten (10) days prior to selection for any particular event and have paid in full the amount owing for the National Squad Member (Adult) as if they had nominated for National Squad Member (Adult) at the beginning of the nomination cycle.
Costs
National Squad Members pay a National Squad Participation Fee, either for National Squad Member (Adult), which includes the Senior, Junior, Cadet categories or for National Squad Member (Youth), either in total within 21 days of selection to obtain a discount, or in 12 equal monthly instalments.
Details of costs for National Squad Members, including HPC Designated Event Tours and camps, are itemised in the fee table published here.
| National Squad Nomination Fee | $165 | This will be refunded if your nomination to the National Squad is not successful |
| National Squad Member - participation fee | Adult ($1716) Youth ($638) | Invoiced in equal installments over the length of the athlete contract |
How to apply
National Squad Membership is via nominations that, ordinarily, will be closed prior to the end of the calendar year.
| Registrations Open | Registrations Close | |
|---|---|---|
| National Squad Member (Adult) | September 27 2021 | October 12 2021 |
| National Squad Member (Youth) | September 27 2021 | October 12 2021 |
High Performance Commission
The National Squad and its High Performance Program (HPP) is managed by the High Performance Commission (HPC).
The HPC is focused on optimizing athlete performance, and oversees the high performance pathway from developing youth athletes through senior elite athletes and is responsible for overseeing policy formation and management for areas that impact and enhance performance - in selection, coaching, refereeing, competition format, the National Squad and it’s High Performance Program, Performance Pathways, resourcing, and a range of other initiatives.
Members of the High Performance Commission are: Paul Glasson (Chair); Vince Elias (AFF President); Angela Bensted (AFF Director); Antonio Signorello (National Technical Director – Foil and Sabre); Vlad Sheer (National Technical Director – Epee)
Contact: [email protected]