Applications for the Limestone Coast Regional Sporting Academy third year are now open.
After securing funding from the State Government and the Limestone Coast Local Government Association, the program is looking for talented athletes from across the Limestone Coast to support reaching their goals in 2022.
Limestone Coast Local Government Association sport and recreation development officer Tony Elletson said the program would include a skill-based hockey, athletics, SASI cycling, tennis, swimming, basketball (in partnership with the Mount Gambier Pioneers) and the continuation of the current Lonestar Program.
“The LCRSA will provide strength and conditioning programs that work towards building the athletes body in preparation for a career in elite sport,” he said.
“The academy will also provide education sessions in sports nutrition, sports psychology, media training, goal setting, time management, athletic performance development, drugs in sport and career and education outside of sport.”
Mr Elletson said the LCRSA employed local coaches that were supported with training programs provided by the state sporting organisations that it partners with for most of its sports.
“The basketball on court program is overseen by Pioneers head coaches Richard Hill and Matt Sutton, whilst the swimming program has engaged an international standard coach who works with the athletes on skills and writes individualised programs, as well as working with local coaches to upskill them,” he said.
“The Lonestar Program will provide athletes with a strength and Conditioning program as well as the education sessions.
“The academy’s partnership with local charity Four Reasons Why means there will be five free scholarships into any of the academy programs to teenagers who are considered at risk or are financially unable to cover the costs due to family circumstances.
“The program also offers high performance physical and gym testing, that ensures athletes can see where they are physically compared with elite athletes.”
All successful nominee athletes will have access to a 12-month gym membership, the high-level testing with Uni SA, strength and conditioning programs, education sessions, a uniform and a chance to further their sporting careers.
Mr Elletson said the LCRSA had five main objectives including to identify regional sporting talent, educate and develop youth in the region, provide pathways to State and national representation, develop the skills of regional coaches and to develop athletes to be future leaders in their respective communities.
Athletes will be required to pay a program fee of $350 which will cover all of the programs and any travel required for academy testing.
Nominations will close on October 29.
