The Academy’s Softball Umpiring Program provides high-performance training opportunities for talented young athletes in the Western Sydney region who have an interest in Softball umpiring. In partnership with Softball NSW (SNSW) the program provides an opportunity for athletes to either become softball umpires or progress their level of accreditation. It provides for umpires to focus on areas of technical skill, education, and rule knowledge as well as personal development and assist with further progression in the Softball umpiring pathway.

The program will result in athletes either obtaining their Level 1 accreditation OR readiness to prepare and present for Level 2 accreditation at the appropriate Softball NSW State Championships or preparation for Softball Australia Nationals for those already Level 2 accredited.

The Softball Umpiring program is the first of its kind and will be the first pilot program for 2023/2024.

The Western Sydney Academy of Sport Softball Umpiring program is aligned to the Softball NSW umpires development pathway and the Softball Australia National Pathway and will assist athletes in either obtaining their Level 1 or prepare them to present for their Level 2. It is designed to introduce athletes to the State and National high-performance pathway and encourage promotion and development of officials in Softball.

To be eligible for the 2023/2024 Softball Umpiring Program, athletes must be:

• Aged between 13 and 18 in 2024 (born between 2006-2011).
• Committed to progressing in the Softball Australia National Umpiring Pathway.
• A registered member of a Softball Association within the Western Sydney Region.
• Those eligible to apply can have no accreditation and a willingness to learn and obtain their Level 1 or 2 accredited umpire.

Currently residing within the Local Government Areas of Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, Penrith or The Hills.

Athlete Scholarship Levy

An Athlete Scholarship levy of $280 inclusive of GST, will apply to all successful athletes.

This levy assists in offsetting the program costs of;

1. Training and Development including training venue hire, sports equipment, skill development programming, and guest / coaching costs.
2. Education and Support Services including online access to programs / XPS network, targeted sports education lectures and workshops with guest presenters, sport specific strength and conditioning program, sport science testing, and access to athlete wellbeing and support service network providers.

Additional Fees / Levies

1. Uniform Costs

• Specific to sport requirements, which athletes will need to purchase through the online store from the official uniform supplier, ACEIT. The required items will be identified upon receiving all athlete paperwork.

2. Camps, Tours and Tournaments

• Camps, Tours and Tournaments form an important part of each sport program structure. The costs of these events, as with the overall sport program, are heavily subsidised by the Academy and its partners.
• Camp / Tour costs may be applied for certain activities throughout the program year and will be communicated well ahead of the event. These are generally costed at $100-$150 per day and include transport, accommodation and the majority of meal costs, as well as any entry fees associated with tournaments or performance elements of the camp / tour.
• Eligible athletes who are selected to represent the Academy at the Regional Academy Games in Wagga Wagga in April 2024 will be required to pay a Games levy of between $350 and $400 (subject to sport requirements), which will be invoiced separately to the above Athlete Scholarship Levy.
• Tournaments held locally (where the Academy does not provide Accommodation) may attract a nominal fee of approximately $50 depending on the sport requirements, and are used to assist in covering the tournament entry, venue hire and any transport costs.

All Athlete levies must be paid in full within 14 days of the invoiced date, or the scholarship offer will be automatically withdrawn; unless financial hardship or payment plan arrangements have been made with the CEO or Academy Staff.

Coaching Staff:

• Kristina Travers
• Andrew Birks
• Matt Beach
• Rob McIntosh
• Leanne Gearside
• Joel Grimes
• Peter Markowiak

Others to be confirmed

Nominations for the 2023/2024 Softball Umpire program are now CLOSED.