National Para Program
The Archery Australia National Para Program has been developed to reflect Archery Australia’s commitment to the delivery of development and elite programs to produce Para Archery Champions at benchmark events including World Archery Para Championships and Paralympic Games.
The purpose of the NPP is to provide a system of support for Archery Australia’s leading Para archers in a structured, sequential and transparent manner that supports the athletes in achieving performances which are aligned to Archery Australia’s published performance goals. The NPP has three distinct components:
- National Squad
- National Development Squad
- National Youth Squad
The NPP recognises that Federal Government funding through the Australian Institute if Sport (AIS) and State Government funding through the National Institute Network (NIN) partners, for high performance Archery, is directed solely at Olympic and Paralympic disciplines and this is reflected in this document.
The ultimate objective of the NPP is to win medals at World Para Championships, Paralympic Games and World Cups by supporting identified athletes within the program via the NSW Institute of Sport, Victorian Institute of Sport, other NIN programs, and the Archery Australia HP Pathways Program.
The NPP whilst open to all members within Archery Australia that qualify, has its major Para program based in Sydney which receives support from the NSW Institute of Sport. Some athletes in other states will be eligible to receive support in the form of an Individual Athlete Scholarship from their state NIN. All NPP athletes will have their nomination for individual athlete scholarships in their home state supported by Archery Australia, however the awarding of these scholarships is determined by the State Institute/Academy of Sport in the relevant state. Athletes do not require a State Institute/Academy of Sport scholarship to be selected in the NPP. The NPP is managed on a day-to-day basis by Archery Australia’s High-Performance Manager (HPM) who reports to the Archery Australia Board of Management
The NPP consists of three squads of athletes that provides a clearly structured pathway which athletes are able to progress through as they further develop their skills and performances. The entrance criteria for each of these tiers has been designed to align with Sport Australia’s Athlete classification strategy meaning that athletes are eligible to receive more support as they progress through the tiers. The table below provides a brief summary of the performance standards required to be considered for the program. Athletes are able to enter the program at any level, National, Development or Youth, provided they meet the published selection criteria.
National Squad
| Tier 1
Compound Men Open 690 |
World Class – Athletes who in the opinion of the HPC have demonstrated their ability to challenge or have actually achieved a recent podium position in top International Competition. |
| Tier 2
Compound Men Open 670 |
International – Athletes who in the opinion of the HPC are competitive in international competition and have the potential to progress to World Class within the next two years.
|
National Development Squad
| Tier 3
Compound Men Open 635 |
Development – Athletes who in the opinion of the HPC are considered to be emerging and have the potential to progress through the tiers in the coming years due to demonstrated commitment. |
National Youth Squad
| Compound Men Open – 65 rating Compound Women Open – 50 rating Recurve Men Open – 45 rating Recurve Women Open – 35 rating Men W1 – 45 rating Women W1 – 35 rating |
Emerging – Athletes who in the opinion of the HPC are considered to be emerging and have the potential to progress into the Development and/or National Squads in the coming years due to demonstrated commitment. |
In addition to the three squad components of the NPP, the AA Pathways Program provides an opportunity for accelerated growth for athletes selected in the program. It is expected there will be a strong connection between the Pathways Program which will over time graduate athletes into an NPP squad. The AA Pathways Program is funded independently of the NPP by the AIS Performance Pathways Unit.
For information regarding the Pathways Program visit (new pathways document coming soon).
Applications to join NPP
Athletes wishing to apply for the NPP should firstly get a copy of the NPP document (Click Here to view 2023 NPP policy) and review it carefully paying special attention to the performance requirements, eligibility requirements and expectations of athletes in the program. The program is demanding and requires dedication, commitment and time. Only athletes who are willing to make that commitment should apply.
2023 National Para Program applications
Selections for the 2023 NPP will be based on scores from any QRE’s and international competitions in the period 1 January to 31 December 2022.
All 2022 NPP athletes will be contacted directly via email when a call is made for applications for the 2023 intake. Any athlete wishing to be considered for the 2023 NPP who is not a member of the 2022 NPP must submit an application form. This EOI will be advertised in Archery News sent to all members in good time prior to the submission date.
An expression of interest form for the 2023 NPP is available here EOI – NPP and must be submitted to megan.nally@archery.org.au
Review
Archery Australia’s High Performance Committee (HPC) will review the membership of the NPP on 1 January and 1 July each year, although athletes may submit applications at any time. The HPM will
(a) review any applications to join the NPP and
(b) review the performances and compliance of existing NPP athletes on 1 January and 1 July each year.
Recommendations will then be forwarded to the HPC for endorsement. Once this process is complete all athletes will receive formal correspondence confirming the outcome of their application and/or their current status in the NPP.
