Rugby Union

Program Benefits

The Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS) is an independent sporting organisation that provides the opportunity and encouragement for talented athletes to achieve excellence in sport.

Rugby union scholarship holders will undertake an intensive off-season development program which aims to enhance progress to higher levels within the sport. Scholarships are offered for a twelve-month period, and scholarship athletes are expected to attend all sessions and events as outlined in the program.

The benefits of an Academy rugby union scholarship include exposure to high quality coaching as part of the Australian Rugby Union Junior Gold Pathway Program, individualised skill and technical training, sports science and fitness training, uniforms and specialised training equipment, personal development activities, education sessions and competition.

The program includes coaching sessions held across the region in Shoalhaven, Kiama, Southern Highlands and Wollongong.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Scholarship, athletes must:

· Reside within the Southern Council Group (SCG), Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven and Wingecarribee

· Must be affiliated with ARU through a club based in the SCG (Illawarra Rugby Union Catchment)

· Between the ages of 14 to 16 at the beginning of the 2011/2012 scholarship.

Selection Criteria

Satisfy the eligibility criteria and selection process;

· Demonstrate potential to be selected for NSW Country or higher within 12 months.1st year athletes (and parents/carers) must be available to attend a short interview.

· Complete the performance standards assessment administered at the final trial.

· Attend the selection trials for the IDRU junior representative teams for 2012.

· Demonstrate dedication to improving performance.

· Display an ability to apply coaching & technical instruction.

Sponsors & Supporters

The Academy Cycling Program is supported by:

ARU and IDRU.

Costs

The Academy covers costs associated with core scholarship coaching, education and athletic assessment. Scholarship holders are required to pay for a uniform contribution and costs for tours and camps. The cost to scholarship holders in 2011 was approximately $500 wich included the Junior Gold Regional Academy Camp, the Academy Games tour to Wollongong and a uniform contribution. It would be anticipated that similar costs will be involved for the 2011 program.

Selection Process

Stage	Date	Details
Stage 1 - Nominate to trial	TBA	IAS website
Stage 2 – Attend preliminary trial	TBA	University of Wollongong
Stage 3 - Invitation to attend final trial	TBA	Via Email
Stage 4 - Attend final trial	TBA	University of Wollongong
Stage 5 - Invitation to interview	TBA	via Email/SMS
Stage 6 - 1st Year Athletes (& parents) attend interview	TBA	Various Locations
Stage 7 - Notification of scholarship offer (by mail)	TBA	Via Post
Stage 8 - Sign agreement accepting scholarship terms	TBA	Return Via Post
Stage 9 - Attend athlete induction	TBA	University of Wollongong

Squad Memebers

Name	Suburb
Liam Antrobus	Cordeaux Heights
Jackson Bently	Gwynneville
Harry Boyce	Bowral
Daniel Bunten	Unanderra
Jonathan Chapman	Figtree
Lachlan Dash	Nowra
Jessie Elliot	Mittagong
Brodie Ford	Albion Park
Nathan Ford	Albion Park
Tristan Green	Bulli
Lachlan Hennessy	Mittagong
Reece Hewat	Figtree
Ben Horton	North Nowra
Daniel Hughes	Worigee
Lachlan King	Corrimal East
Tim Lewis	Moss Vale
Simiki Lufe	Albion Park
Stuart Mill	Mangerton
Ethan Noonan	Figtree
Joshua Noonan	Lake Illawarra
Curtis Patton	Kiama Downs
Ben Rada	Figtree
Ben Ridgway	Woonona
Tommy Sawden	Figtree
Justin Schmit	Gerroa
Ryan Sorrell	Shellharbour
Gareth Thomas	Woonona