Performance Pathways

22-23 August

• U14 Country trials at Illawarra (Snakepit)

29-30 August

• U16 Country trials at Maitland Federation Centre

30 August

• U15 Metro trials at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre

5 September

• U14 Metro trials at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre

12 September

• • U16 Metro trials at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre

12-13 September

• U18 Country trials at Maitland Federation Centre

13 September

• U18 Metro trials at Minto Indoor Sports Centre

A. Date of births are listed for all age groups trials. Athletes outside the age groups are not eligible to trial.

• U14 (born in 2014)
• U15 Metro (born in 2013)
• U16 (born in 2011 and 2012)
• U18 (born in 2009 and 2010)

A. Once athletes have registered for trials, they will be sent a “google” form to complete stating which programs/events they would like to be considered for selection.

Each age group will have different programs that athletes are eligible for, but some examples include SPP, DAP, January Development Tours, D-League, and Heroes Challenge.

A. To be selected for BNSW Programs/Development Tours/D-League/ State teams, athletes must display elements of the following:

• Demonstrates ability to compete within the age group
• Athletic ability eg. speed, height, quick hands and strength
• Display the potential or ability to compete successfully at the national level
• Display the necessary work ethic and attitude to improve as a player
• Potential to be socially compatible and display a sense of “team ethic” within a group
• Be highly receptive to coaching
• Demonstrated desire to succeed not only in basketball, but in educational, vocational and personal life
• Outstanding desire and commitment to working hard at improving mental, physical and basketball skills
• Demonstrated ability to uphold Basketball NSW ‘Blues’ Culture (to be outlined)

Subjectivity is an unavoidable element of selection.

A. The athlete’s potential to meet the selection criteria may be assessed by the BNSW General Manager of Coaching and Development, the BNSW Performance Pathway coaching staff, as well as the State and Age Group Head Coaches and/or a panel nominated senior network coaches. The BNSW staff will ultimately be responsible for the final selections.

A. Performance Pathway trials are for athletes interested in being selected for our State Performance Program (SPP) and Developing Athlete Program (DAP). The trials also serve as selection opportunities for athletes interested in BNSW Development Tours/Events in January as well as D-League.

State trials are only for those athletes interested in making NSW State teams who compete at the National Championships.

A. SPP is BNSW’s top tier Performance Pathway program. It is a skill-based program that also involves some teaching of BNSW style of play concepts. The program exists to assist in identifying, developing, and preparing athletes for States teams and future representation at the next level.
Athletes that are selected into SPP will be required to attend weekly individual sessions supervised by network coaches under the guidance of the BNSW Performance Pathways Coaching staff during terms 4 and 1.

DAP underpins the SPP. It operates in Metro only. It is also a skill-based program that is aimed at athletes in the U14-U16 age range. Athletes are required to attend weekly individual sessions supervised by network coaches under the guidance of the BNSW Performance Pathways Coaching staff during terms 1 and 2.

A. No. It is not compulsory for athletes to be in the SPP to make a State team. However, the SPP provides athletes an opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge of the game which may assist with their continued development as a player.

A. We understand that sometimes things come up that prevent athletes from trialling. Athletes may submit a “special consideration” form to still be considered for selection (this may be obtained from BNSW). Athletes will still be required to register online and pay the trial fee. They must also submit any documentation as well (such as medical certificates). It should be noted that submitting a “special consideration” form does not mean athletes will automatically be selected. If not selected, any trial fees may be refunded.

Where it is feasible, athletes should still attend the trial.

A: From time to time, an athlete will be unavailable to trial due to a range of valid reasons. These include injury, illness, school commitments, higher level sports commitments, and family reasons, amongst others. Provided the athlete has gone through the steps to apply for “special consideration” prior to the trial, that athlete may still be considered for selection.

In this situation, the athlete will be assessed against the same selection criteria as all the athletes in attendance, and their past performances at BNSW events may be used to assess whether or not they meet the criteria.

If an athlete has not been seen by selectors, their local coach will be consulted to provide their view of the athlete against the selection criteria. This will be taken into consideration, but ultimately it is difficult to select an athlete that was not in attendance at trials and has not participated in any BNSW events previously.

A: Whilst an athlete’s past performance may provide some good feedback to the selection panel, the purpose of conducting trials is to see how athletes perform in a structured training environment against their peers. An athlete’s “statistics” at Domestic, Association, or School level are not taken into account and are often very misleading.

BNSW network and Performance Pathway staff will never discuss another child’s performance with you, just as we wouldn’t discuss your child with another parent. At the end of the day, the athletes that the selection panel believes best meet the above criteria are the ones selected.

A. Unfortunately it is not possible to provide feedback to athletes regarding non-selection due to the number of athletes that attend trials. However, general feedback may be provided to the group as a whole on the conclusion of the day of trials.

A: No. Subjectivity is an unavoidable element of the selection process. Selectors never profess to get selections right every time. There are various pathways that athletes may follow to achieve their basketball dreams. We encourage all athletes that were not selected to continue to work on their game and trial in future years.