Defining Elite Athletes
In the context of the Elite Sport Education Network (ESEN), Elite Sportspeople is the collective term for students who are Categorised Athletes, High Performance Coaches, and High Performance Officials.
Categorised Athletes
The National Athlete Categorisation Framework (NACF) provides National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) with a consistent framework to identify athletes with the greatest potential to contribute to Australia winning medals from LA2028 and beyond.
The framework identifies:
- Current Cycle Athletes - including Podium, Podium Ready, and Podium Potential athletes
- Future Cycle Athletes - including Developing and Emerging athletes
While the NACF is designed to identify athletes eligible for AIS Support Services, and personal and professional development programs through their NSOs and the National Institute Network (NINs), ESEN acknowledges and underpins the work tertiary institutions do to support sportspeople from:
- professional sporting associations
- other ASC recognised and funded sports
- athletes who are identified and supported through AIS Performance Pathways and Programs
- elite performers.
The AIS has a dedicated platform for institutions to check athlete categorisation in real time. To request access please email professionaldevelopment@ausport.gov.au.
High Performance (HP) Coach
An elite coach is someone who is a National Head, Senior or Assistant Coach at either Senior or Junior level, Head or Assistant Coach of NTC/ NCE/COE or NIN programs in ASC funded sports. Coaches should provide a supporting letter from their NSO/ NIN partner which also includes confirmation of coach accreditation.
High Performance (HP) Official
An elite official is someone who is facilitating at international events (Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and / or National Professional Leagues in an ASC funded sport. Officials should provide a supporting letter from their national body and proof of officiating accreditation.