Your talent can go further here
2027 Individual Membership
Tailored support for regional high-performance athletes
Not every athlete fits neatly into a BSA partner sport.
BSA Individual Membership provides tailored support for athletes competing in sports that are not currently partnered with the Academy, helping regional athletes access high-performance development, wellbeing, education and pathway support.
The program is designed for athletes who are already competing at a high level and would benefit from a more individualised support model.
APPLY FOR 2027
Support built around your sport. Your goals. Your pathway.
Individual Membership is designed for athletes who may not sit within a full BSA sport program but would benefit from access to the Academy's wider high-performance environment.
Rather than providing a one-size-fits-all program, BSA works with each athlete to understand their goals, development needs, support network and sporting pathway.
The focus is simple:
Support the athlete. Strengthen the pathway. Help regional talent go further.
Who Is Individual Membership For?
Individual Membership is available to athletes competing in sports that do not currently have an official BSA partnership.
Applicants must:
- Be 12 years or older
- Reside in the Barwon Region
- Be actively involved in competitive sport
- Demonstrate commitment to their sport and ongoing development
- Be competing at a high level and/or within a representative pathway
- Commit to BSA's holistic athlete-development approach
The program recognises both athletes already competing at State level or above and developing athletes with strong potential to reach State level.
Two Pathways Into Individual Membership
Tier 1 — State Level & Above
For athletes who are competing at State level or above and are actively maintaining their position within their sporting pathway.
Tier 1 athletes can remain part of the program while they continue to compete and maintain their State-level standing.
Tier 2 — Development Athletes
For athletes who have been highly recommended by their sport as development athletes with strong potential to reach State level.
Tier 2 membership provides developing athletes with access to BSA support while they work toward the next stage of their pathway.
Tier 2 athletes can remain within the Academy for up to five years, provided they continue to meet the BSA selection criteria each year.
Your Support Is Tailored To You
Individual Membership isn't about giving every athlete the exact same program.
BSA works with each athlete to identify the areas where additional support can make the biggest difference.
Your support may focus on:
- Performance development
- Strength and conditioning
- Competition preparation
- Recovery
- Injury prevention
- Performance psychology
- Nutrition
- Goal setting
- Pathway planning
- Athlete wellbeing
- Access to specialist services
Performance Support
Individual Members have access to a range of performance-development opportunities, including:
Strength & Conditioning
Support to develop and maintain a strength and conditioning program suited to your sport and individual needs.
High Performance Testing
Access to the BSA High Performance Testing Series, with two testing windows each year.
Athlete Profiling & Screening
Athlete profiling and musculoskeletal screening to help identify areas for development and support.
Goal Setting & Athlete Development Planning
Two goal-setting and Athlete Development Plan sessions to help establish priorities and track progress.
Sport-Specific Planning
Support with:
- Training planning
- Competition planning
- Recovery
- Performance preparation
Injury & Return-to-Play Support
Access to support around injury rehabilitation, return-to-play planning and allied health services.
These services form part of the 2027 Individual Membership offer outlined by BSA.
Athlete Check-Ins & Connection
High-performance sport can get complicated quickly.
Individual Members have access to targeted check-ins to review goals, discuss development and identify where additional support may be useful.
Membership also provides connection to:
- BSA staff
- Trusted service providers
- BSA mentors
- BSA ambassadors
- Small-group opportunities
- Selected BSA partner services
- Lumin, BSA's Athlete Management System
The aim is to make sure athletes aren't trying to navigate the high-performance pathway completely on their own.
More Than Sport
Being a high-performing athlete is about more than training and competition.
BSA's education program helps athletes understand how to look after themselves, perform under pressure and build skills that carry beyond sport.
Education includes:
- Nutrition for training, competition and recovery
- Performance psychology
- Mindset and managing pressure
- Human body education
- Injury prevention
- Goal setting
- Athlete development
- Female athlete education opportunities where relevant
- Broader BSA education sessions
Athletes can also access Q&A opportunities with BSA alumni and elite athletes from multiple sports.
Support For Parents & Families
Athlete development doesn't happen in isolation.
BSA provides opportunities for parents and families to better understand the demands of high-performance sport through Parent Education Series workshops.
These sessions are designed to help families support athletes through training, competition, wellbeing and the broader demands of an emerging high-performance pathway.
Financial Athlete Support
Eligible athletes who represent Victoria or Australia may be able to access BIS Sport grants.
These grants provide financial support to athletes pursuing high-level sporting opportunities.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BIS SPORT
What Does Membership Include?
Individual Membership includes access to BSA program deliverables, services and BSA uniform items.
Athletes are expected to actively engage with the program and make use of the development opportunities available to them.
Membership support can include:
- Strength and conditioning support
- High-performance testing
- Athlete profiling
- Musculoskeletal screening
- Goal-setting sessions
- Athlete Development Planning
- Sport-specific planning
- Injury and return-to-play support
- Athlete check-ins
- Lumin Athlete Management System
- Mentors and ambassadors
- Athlete education
- Parent education opportunities
- Selected partner services and discounts
- BSA uniform
- BIS Sport financial support opportunities where eligible
The specific support provided is shaped around the athlete's needs and pathway.
How Selection Works
BSA takes a holistic approach to Individual Membership selection.
Athletes are encouraged to contact BSA before submitting an application so the Academy can understand the athlete's circumstances and determine whether Individual Membership is the appropriate pathway.
The selection process considers:
- Sporting performance
- Development potential
- Commitment to competitive sport
- Character
- Development needs
- Existing support network
- Representative involvement
- Commitment to BSA's holistic athlete-development approach
Applications may include an interview where required.
Final selection is made by a panel of senior BSA representatives.
2027 Individual Membership Applications
Before applying, athletes are encouraged to contact Barwon Sports Academy to discuss their sporting pathway and whether Individual Membership is the right fit.
2027 Intake Contact
Adrian Pilgrim
Pathways & Programs Lead
Adrian is the contact for the 2027 Individual Membership intake.
“Barwon Sports Academy is such an important steppingstone in your athletic career. It’s the first introduction to the more elite structures in sport. You find yourself amongst people who are just as driven as you but come from different walks of life and can bring different things to the table. We are all able to learn a lot of each other and have a whole lot of fun along the way.
The skills and tools I’ve developed as an athlete are transferable to all aspects of life. The experiences I’ve had and people I've met continue to shape me in every way. I would recommend the BSA to any aspiring athlete.”
~ Jakara Anthony OAM
BSA Individual Members Key Documents & Information
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Your talent can go further here.
Your sport might be different. Your pathway might be different.
That doesn't mean you should have to navigate it alone.
BSA Individual Membership provides tailored support to help regional high-performance athletes develop, progress and pursue their goals.
APPLY FOR 2027
Athlete Achievement Form
Already part of BSA?
SUBMIT ATHLETE ACHIEVEMENT FORM
Keep BSA updated on your sporting achievements and progress throughout the year.
