Future Stars

Nominations for the 2026 program are now open

August 31, 2025
May 31, 2026

Applications for the 2025/26 intake are now open.
Take the next step in your performance journey and click here to apply.

The NCAS Future Stars program exists to provide endeavoring athletes with the opportunity to access a holistic approach to high performance services from within the NSW North Coast region. Athletes from all sports are welcome to apply.

The future stars programs is targeted towards those who are participating in a chosen sport that sits outside one of the development programs offered by NCAS or if the athlete is already participating and demonstrating potential at a higher level such as state, national or international.

Click here to apply!

We have a range of performance support services that are flexible to cater to athletes’ individual needs. A specific performance support plan and program will be developed with the NCAS Performance Support Manager. Components of our performance support programs can include:

  • Performance testing
    • Assessment of performance capacities to inform program design and monitor progress and development.
  • Strength and Conditioning (S & C) support
    • Individualised strength and conditioning programs.
  • Access to our Athlete Management System (AMS) XPS which can be used to monitor training load and athlete well-being.
  • Education for Athletes, Parents and Coaches
    • Performance education sessions on youth athletic development and performance support topics such as Nutrition, Sports Psychology, Training and Recovery.
  • Connection and referral to our recommended allied health or performance support providers such as Sports Dietitians, Sports Psychologists, Physiotherapists etc.
  • Regular contact with NCAS Performance Support Manager to assist with planning and prioritising invididual performance plans.
  • NCAS training apparel.
  • Invitation and access to the end of year NCAS Academy Awards event.
  • Athelete Performance Journal (Inner Game)

– Athletes must be representing their chosen sport at an elite level (regional / state / national representation)

– Athletes must be aged between 13 & 25 years of age in the applicable year (contact NCAS if you wish to be considered but do not fall in this age category)

– Reside in the north coast region within the defined Local Government boundaries of the following Council areas: Tweed, Byron, Lismore, Ballina, Kyogle, Richmond River, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca, Kempsey, and Port Macquarie-Hastings

– Athletes must be participating in a sport outside that of the current NCAS sport programs OR must be outside the applicable age of a particular NCAS sport program (e.g. NCAS Basketball program is open to athletes aged 16 & under, therefore an athlete aged 17-25 is eligible to apply for a future stars scholarship as they are ineligible for selection within the basketball program.

The following requirements apply to selected scholarship recipients:

– Athletes must only use benefits that they are not already receiving through an elite Academy or Institute of Sport program (e.g. NSW Institute of Sport [NSWIS] or Australian Institute of Sport [AIS]).

– Athletes must be available to attend and / or support NCAS special events such as the Annual Academy Awards Evening, athlete educations sessions and other events as they arise as a representative of the NCAS.

– Athletes must report to the NCAS any sporting achievements / selections.

– Athletes must use all compulsory benefits on offer to scholarship recipients.

*Please note that NCAS reserves the right to withdraw athletes from the future stars program if the above requirements are not being met.

Athletes will be assessed against 3 broad criteria:

  • Achievement at a Regional/State/National level relative to the athlete’s chosen sport
  • Endorsement from A Regional Academy / State Sporting Organisation or National Sporting Organisation
  • Case by case assessment on potential talent and pathway progression

Selection Committee
The Selection Committee will consist of:

  • NCAS Executive Officer
  • NCAS Performance & Education Manager
  • NCAS Sports Programs Manager
  • If available and appropriate, a representative from the relevant State or National Sporting Organisation.

As part of the NCAS Future Stars program, athlete scholarships can be offered. However, these are determined based on the number of athlete applications received, the representation and success of the applicants, as well as the potential endorsement and support from the relevant State Sporting Organisation (SSO). Furthermore, scholarships may be prioritised based on these factors and the level of competition of the individual’s sport, for example, Olympic compared to non-Olympic sports.

 

Our Future Stars Partners

Opportunities to partner available. Please get in touch to learn more.

Our Platinum Partners