WA
PATHWAYS PROGRAM
STRATEGIC PLAN
2017-2020
PATHWAYS 2020
WA Pathways Program Strategic Plan 2017-2020 2
VISION: To consistently produce world-class rowers
MISSION:
11% of athletes in the National Training Centres by 2020
11% of Australia’s Under 23 Rowing team by 2020
1 x winning crew at each Interstate Regatta
VALUES:
Performance - Achieving superior rowing results by defining and
implementing a nation’s-best pathways program.
Sustainability - Putting a structured programme in place that withstands
personnel changes, is supported by and leverages the greater rowing
community.
Accountability - Defining and accepting appropriate criteria and
responsibility, and delivering on commitments.
Integrity - Doing what is right and doing what we say we will do.
Respect - Embracing openness, trust, teamwork and relationships that
are mutually beneficial.
WA Pathways Program Strategic Plan 2017-2020 3
OBJECTIVES:
Create a high performance culture in WA
Increase number and retention of athletes in the talent pathway
Improve capability and capacity of the high performance system in WA
Develop sustainable talent recruitment and retention programs
STRATEGIES:
1. Strong technical and governance system leadership
2. Embrace collaboration amongst pathway system partners
3. Invest in our best athletes and coaches
4. Systematically identify and nurture our best athletes of the future
5. Regularly monitor program success including pathway athletes, partners
and coaches
6. Diversify pathway opportunities
Table of Contents
Vision ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
Mission .................................................................................................................................................... 2
Values ...................................................................................................................................................... 2
Objectives ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Strategies ................................................................................................................................................ 3
Table of Figures ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Abbreviations and Terms ........................................................................................................................ 5
1. Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 6
2. Strong Technical and Governance system leadership .................................................................... 8
Governance ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Leadership ........................................................................................................................................... 9
3. Embrace collaboration amongst Pathway System Partners ......................................................... 11
Other pathway stakeholders will be invited to contribute as required. .......................................... 11
Daily Training Environment ............................................................................................................... 11
WAIS .................................................................................................................................................. 11
Pathway Partner Clubs ...................................................................................................................... 11
4. Invest in our best athletes and coaches........................................................................................ 13
Athletes ............................................................................................................................................. 13
Clubs and Coaches ............................................................................................................................ 13
5. Systematically identify and nurture our best athletes of the future ............................................ 14
Talent Identification .......................................................................................................................... 14
6. Regularly monitor program success including Athletes, Partners and Coaches ........................... 15
Overall Program Assessment & Measurement ................................................................................. 15
Club Development and Assessment ................................................................................................. 15
Athlete Monitoring and Support....................................................................................................... 15
7. Diversify Pathway Opportunities .................................................................................................. 16
Para Rowing ...................................................................................................................................... 16
Lightweight Rowing ........................................................................................................................... 16
WA Pathways Program Strategic Plan 2017-2020 5
Table of Figures
Figure 1: Graphic representation of the leadership structure for Pathways 2020. ................................ 9
Abbreviations and Terms
Abbreviation Definition
CEO Chief Executive Officer
DSR Department of Sport and Recreation
DTE Daily Training Environment
FTEM Foundation, Talent, Elite, Mastery Framework
HP High Performance
ILPP Individual Learning & Performance Plan
JOG Joint Operations Group
PPMG Performance Pathway Management Group
PPC Pathway Partner Club
RA Rowing Australia Inc.
RWA Rowing Association of Western Australia (Inc.)
SLSWA Surf Life Saving Western Australia
TID Talent Identification
WAIS Western Australian Institute of Sport
WAIS PET Western Australian Institute of Sport
Performance Enhancement Team
1. OVERVIEW
The high performance (HP) pathway environment in Western Australia has evolved since
2010 following recommendations from the Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR)
review and feedback and insights from the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) and
Rowing HP stakeholders at various times.
In 2014, it was recognised that the HP pathway was not producing the same level of
talented athletes through the pathway to the national team as previous HP models had.
Since then various iterations of the HP pathway have taken steps to re-align pathway
partners and ensure greater collaboration and accountability to ultimately focus on
producing a greater number of talented rowers in the pathway that result in WA having a
larger representation on senior and under-age national teams.
Over the past two years the three HP Club programs (of varying maturity) have further
developed with the addition of one full time coach to the system, greater acknowledgement
and support of HP rowing and a re-defined HP club funding structure that ensures greater
accountability. Another full-time paid coach has also been added outside the club system.
In May 2015 the program that sat underneath the traditional WAIS scholarship holders
(WAIS Training Agreement athletes) commenced with quality athletes who were looking for
direction. A full-time volunteer coach looked after this cohort of athletes until a formalised
agreement was put in place in late 2015. This model is a middle ground between a fully
club-based pathway model and the early 2000‘s HP models of the WAIS “Super Club”. WAIS
Training Agreement athletes receive technical coaching exposure and Strength and
Conditioning provisions.
The HP stakeholders in WA have made a firm commitment to further align resources, skills
and financial investment to ensure the capacity and effectiveness of the HP pathway in WA
is enhanced as much as possible. WA has historically demonstrated that it is a very strong
rowing state and can produce national representatives well above its per capita average of
11%.
Elements of Pathways 2020 were trialled during 2016 as a result of years of evolution. This
model has proven results even in the short space of time it has been operational. Following
this trial, Pathways 2020 will include the strengthening of stakeholder alignment and
collaboration in all areas.
HP stakeholders agreed that WAIS will take on the ‘Technical Leadership’ role of the whole
HP system. Rowing Australia (RA), WAIS and the Rowing Association of Western Australia
(RWA) will collectively form the strategic leadership group.
WA Pathways Program Strategic Plan 2017-2020 7
The Australian Sports Commission’s Foundation, Talent, Elite, Mastery (FTEM) framework
will be used to develop athlete, club and coaching pathways including criteria related to the
athlete transition from one tier to another. This will be the basis for the management of the
pathway. The inclusion of clubs in this framework will allow the definition of what is
required to manage athletes at each tier of the pathway (i.e. defined levels of HP club
maturity). Similarly, the coaching pathway criteria will clarify what is required of a coach at
each tier, which will guide the development of coach education programs.
The FTEM diagram above shows the focus of the pathway partners on the FTEM pathway.
The heat signature illustrates where the resources and focus of each pathway partner
should be directed. This very clearly shows the synergy between all pathway partners and
the alignment of resources.
WA Pathways Program Strategic Plan 2017-2020 8
2. STRONG TECHNICAL AND GOVERNANCE SYSTEM LEADERSHIP
Governance
Pathways 2020 will be governed by a tri-party joint management arrangement between RA,
Rowing WA and WAIS called the Performance Pathway Management Group (PPMG). Other
stakeholders will be invited onto this group as required.
Strategy governance leadership will be driven by the RWA Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Strategy technical leadership will be managed by WAIS, primarily through the WAIS Head
Coach.
Pathway Partners will be engaged in the strategy through formal pathway partnership
agreements that will ensure relevant KPIs are developed, monitored and measured, aligning
to the overall pathway strategy and CampaignNumberOne. The formalisation of these
processes and the attainment of agreed outcomes fits with the increased accountability
agreed to by all pathway partners through the formation of this strategy.
Pathway Partners may include:
Affiliated rowing clubs
Associated rowing schools
Other pathway stakeholders
RWA and WAIS will provide governance and technical leadership to the program and utilise
a representative committee to provide review and recommendation functions throughout
the term of the plan. This special purpose committee termed the Joint Operations Group
(JOG) will include representatives from:
WAIS
Rowing WA
Rowing Australia
Pathway Partner Clubs
The following stakeholders may be invited to attend JOG meetings as required:
Current and/or previous HP athletes
School rowing representatives
Other pathway stakeholders
This committee will provide recommendations to the PPMG on strategic and operational
developments related to Pathways 2020.
WA Pathways Program Strategic Plan 2017-2020 9
Leadership
Figure 1 provides a graphic representation of the leadership structure for Pathways 2020.
Figure 1: Graphic representation of the leadership structure for Pathways 2020.
The WAIS Performance Enhancement Team (PET) Director - National Programs and RWA
CEO will provide oversight to the implementation of WA Pathways Program as they will
manage the financial contributions from RA, WAIS and RWA and sign off on the acquittal
documentation for RA.
Beyond this, both of these roles will form part of the PPMG and JOG and provide the
following managerial assistance:
The RWA CEO will be the Chair of the JOG and provide governance leadership to the
ongoing program.
The WAIS Performance Enhancement Team Director - National Programs will play a
pivotal role in the daily operational and budget oversight.
The JOG will operate as per their defined Terms or Reference in Appendix A.
The WAIS Head Coach will be the Technical Lead in Pathways 2020. This role will include:
Daily management of Individual Learning & Performance Plan (ILPP) for the state’s
top athletes.
PPMG
Joint Operations Group
WAIS Head
Coach
WAIS Pathway
Coach Pathway Club
Head Coaches
Pathway Club
Dev. Coaches
School
Coaches
RWA Dev.
Manager
WA Pathways Program Strategic Plan 2017-2020 10
Mentoring of club pathway coaches in their own environment and include them in
the WAIS environment where possible.
Provision of advice and support regarding the improvement of club-based HP
programs.
The WAIS Pathway Coach will provide coaching support to the WAIS Head Coach and
manage the establishment and delivery of:
development of quality relationships with school rowing coaches
increased rower transition from school to club
non-traditional rowing school Talent Identification (TID) Testing
pathway Camps/Tours and Schools Draft.
Pathway Club Head Coaches will be responsible for managing a high quality Daily Training
Environment (DTE) for identified pathway athletes. They will:
provide direct on-water and off-water coaching services
provide daily management of ILPP
engage in ongoing Pathways 2020 strategic and operational planning and reporting
mentor Club Development Coaches and provide individual pathway athlete support
and guidance.
Pathway Club Development Coaches will provide operational support to Pathway Club
Head Coaches as required. In most instances they will:
provide direct on-water and off-water coaching services as directed by the Pathway
Club Head Coach
support pathway events and programs as part of their professional development.
School Coaches will be engaged on an as needed basis and are a key stakeholder for the
WAIS Pathway Coach. School coaches will be invited to be involved in:
schools draft
TID testing
pathway events
pathway camps
other pathway programs.
The RWA Development Manager does not have a direct role within Pathways 2020,
however will collaborate with the WAIS Pathway Coach with respect to the engagement of
non-traditional rowing schools. Beyond this, the Development Manager may support
specific activities that have a wider benefit outside of direct Pathway objectives. The RWA
Development Manager’s involvement in Pathways 2020 will be guided by the RWA CEO.
NOTE: Ultimately all personnel involved in Pathways 2020 are ultimately responsible to their direct
employers. Responsibilities as assigned through PPC agreements acknowledge the collaboration and
consultation that is required under this strategy
WA Pathways Program Strategic Plan 2017-2020 11
3. EMBRACE COLLABORATION AMONGST PATHWAY SYSTEM PARTNERS
One of the cornerstones of Pathways 2020 will be improved collaboration at the strategic
and operational level of the program.
Locally, the program will be overseen by the Pathways 2020 JOG. It will be composed of high
performance pathway stakeholders representing:
Rowing WA
Rowing Australia
WAIS
Pathway Partner Clubs.
Other pathway stakeholders will be invited to contribute as required.
Daily Training Environment
To ensure the greatest success in providing the best DTE possible, collaboration between
WAIS and Pathway Partner Clubs (PPCs) is critical.
WAIS and PPCs will provide an essential DTE for identified pathway athletes. The DTE for all
pathway athletes will be overseen by the WAIS Head Coach and be supported by WAIS
Sports Science and Sports Medicine service providers.
WAIS and PPCs will work collaboratively on enhancing the DTE for all pathway athletes. This
may be through direct intervention, support services, ILPP modifications, and other
methods as applicable to the athlete.
WAIS
WAIS will provide the highest quality DTE to service the state’s best athletes. The new $30m
WAIS Sports Science Centre is one of the best in Australia and offers athletes access to the
highest quality equipment, personnel and athlete support to assist rowers to achieve their
best.
The WAIS Head Coach, Pathway Coach and other personnel provide technical support to the
entire pathway, working collaboratively with Club Program Partners to deliver the best DTE
possible for Pathway athletes.
Pathway Partner Clubs
PPCs will play an integral role in both strategic and operational aspects of achieving
Pathways 2020.
Clubs identified as PPCs are key stakeholders within Pathways 2020 and will be consulted as
necessary on implementation. Through the PPCs ongoing communication and collaboration
with other program stakeholders, they will gain a greater understanding of the wider HP
rowing environment and the importance and impact of the role they play.
WA Pathways Program Strategic Plan 2017-2020 12
Operationally, PPCs will work with WAIS to deliver a high quality DTE for identified pathway
athletes. They will be required to collaborate regularly with WAIS on the delivery and
monitoring of all ILPPs.
PPCs are encouraged to develop positive relationships with rowing school administrators in
collaboration with the WAIS-led pathway programs
PPC programs and head coaches will be developed primarily through the increased
collaboration with WAIS, including its coaches and performance personnel. PPC coaches will
have greater direct contact with these WAIS personnel including direct mentoring and club
program assessments by the WAIS Head Coach.
WA Pathways Program Strategic Plan 2017-2020 13
4. INVEST IN OUR BEST ATHLETES AND COACHES
Pathways 2020 will be financed by a four year financial commitment between RA, WAIS and
RWA. This will be managed through a fully operationalised budget, reviewed annually as
part of the overall program review and operational planning processes by the Pathways
2020 PPMG and JOG.
Although financial and in-kind support from and/or to RA, WAIS, RWA and PPCs will be
confirmed annually through the operational planning process, it is understood that all
program partners are committed to supporting Pathways 2020, pending extraordinary
circumstances occurring.
Athletes
Within the Pathways 2020 budget, funds have been allocated to support pathway athletes
invited to Senior and Under-Age Trials. Once the number of athletes are known the funds
will be apportioned.
Clubs and Coaches
Performance based funding will be received from RA for individual athletes (if categorised)
and coaches who are selected on a national team. The allocation of performance funding to
clubs/WAIS will:
reward the success of the athlete, coach and program
provides for the improvement of the high performance environment to ensure
continued results.
PPCs may receive annual financial support to assist the delivery of Pathways 2020
outcomes. This funding program will replace the previous RWA High Performance
Development Program. PPC funding decisions will be determined by a sub-committee of the
Pathways 2020 JOG.
WA Pathways Program Strategic Plan 2017-2020 14
5. SYSTEMATICALLY IDENTIFY AND NURTURE OUR BEST ATHLETES OF THE
FUTURE
Talent Identification
The WAIS Pathway Coach will deliver all pathway programs with support from other
program partners including RWA, clubs, schools and other stakeholders. These programs
will include:
Talent Detection: TID testing of non-rowers has a low return on investment but it is
still regarded as an important component of pathway athlete detection. The WAIS
Pathway Coach will train a team of personnel, from program partners, proficient in
the use of testing equipment to capture potential rowers from non-traditional
rowing schools within the rowing pathway program. The WAIS or Club Pathway
Coaches will be utilised to fast track any potential talent identified through TID
testing.
Schools Draft: This program will be used to identify athletes to become part of one
of a number of pathway programs designed for school aged or school leaving
rowers. The draft is targeted at the traditional rowing schools and includes a period
of on water and off water testing to measure the current and future capabilities of
the next generation of rowers. The timing of the Schools Draft will be dependent on
the Rowing Australia national Schools Draft Camp
Pathway Camps: Camps will be held twice a year, identified and targeted traditional
school rowers will be invited to attend two technical rowing camps of two to three
days duration. RWA State Team Youth Eight crews and coaches will be involved to
expose the school rowers to non-school coaches, rowers, facilities, equipment and
training techniques.
Pathway VIII Program: RWA and WAIS will implement a structured recruitment,
selection and training program for schoolboys and schoolgirls Pathway VIII crews.
Due to the timing of the respective school racing seasons these programs will be
designed differently to accommodate the demands of school rowing. This school
linkage provides a great opportunity to expose school rowers to a non-school rowing
environment and encourage them to continue rowing after school.
Talent Transfer: WAIS will work with internal departments to assess the opportunity
to transfer athletes from other sports into rowing. RWA will endeavour to work with
Surf Life Saving Western Australia (SLSWA) to develop a pathway program that offers
the ‘Olympic Dream’ opportunity to HP athletes currently within SLSWA.
WA Pathways Program Strategic Plan 2017-2020 15
6. REGULARLY MONITOR PROGRAM SUCCESS INCLUDING ATHLETES,
PARTNERS AND COACHES
Overall Program Assessment & Measurement
Overall and annual program KPIs will be developed by the Pathways 2020 PPMG and JOG
within the annual operational planning process. KPIs will be developed to deliver the
Pathways 2020 Mission, Objectives and Strategies.
Progress toward these KPIs will be assessed regularly by the PPMG and JOG to allow for
realignment of objectives.
Club Development and Assessment
The performance of PPCs and other partners will be assessed against the KPIs outlined in
the annual operational plan, as relevant to their program area.
Program partners will receive professional development through a variety of mechanisms:
technical mentoring from WAIS Head Coach
opportunity for regular collaboration with program partners on technical aspects of
rowing and training
support, advice and access to Sports Science and Sports Medicine personnel, testing
and equipment to supplement on water training programs
coaching workshops and conferences provided by RWA and RA.
Athlete Monitoring and Support
Once athletes are identified through Pathways 2020, they will access a range of support and
monitoring services based on their tier. Most notably this will include an ILPP. Athletes will
also gain access to education and learning resources at a reduced rate or free of charge
(dependant on tier).
Athlete data will be closely monitored to use in longitudinal analysis and personal
progression as well as de-identified state wide data comparisons for program partners.
Athlete ILPPs, data analysis and comparisons will be managed by WAIS and distributed
under strict adherence to their Privacy Policy
WA Pathways Program Strategic Plan 2017-2020 16
7. DIVERSIFY PATHWAY OPPORTUNITIES
Para Rowing
Western Australia has a significant history in the identification and development of Para
Rowers. In years gone by a specific para rowing Incorporated Association called Freedom of
the River operated out of the RWA Canning Bridge facility. This entity has since been
integrated into the core business of RWA, but the principles of inclusive rowing still exist.
Recent history has shown the ability of the WA para rowing system to deliver athletes to the
highest level. This has been driven by cooperation between RWA and club based programs.
Moving forward, the pathway for para rowers will be formalised to identify up to two clubs
with the resources and facilities to support the development of para rowers. RWA will
support these clubs with opportunities to upskill coaches and support staff on para rowing
methodology. Depending on the final pathway budget some funding may be provided to
these clubs to financially support the specific operational needs of a para rowing program.
Some para rowing initiatives are already underway, with several learn to row courses
planned for late 2017.
Lightweight Rowing
Similar to the RA NTC’s inclusive strategy for lightweight rowers, the WA pathway approach
will integrate lightweight with heavyweight rowing programs within the aforementioned
proposed model.
TID for lightweight rowers will include tailored protocols. This needs to be developed in
conjunction with athlete welfare and ethical standards, with respect to physical
development and growth.
Pathways 2020 will:
further research lightweight TID opportunities in other sports to streamline TID
methodology
closely liaise with university rowing programs to identify and manage lightweight
talent development with recent school leavers.