PerthCollegeMarch2021(250).jpg

Sports Development & Performance Program

Sports Development and Performance Program

Perth College Sports Development and Performance Program

The Sports Development and Performance Program, launched in 2022, is a foundational program that aims to engage, nurture and accelerate student participation within school and community sports environments. The program is designed to be inclusive for all students, catering for a variety of sporting abilities and ages whilst promoting a holistic outlook towards personal growth and team-based values.

The program has been designed around three key pathways that support streamlined program delivery whilst allowing students of all ages and abilities to engage in school sports offerings. Each pathway has core focus areas that best support individual sporting journeys and provide a series of initiatives for students to engage with, participate in, and accelerate their sporting pursuits.

Sports Development and Performance Program Brochure


What are the three pathways?

The three pathways of the Sports Development and Performance Program are as follows:

  1. Fundamental Pathway: Healthy Relationships to Sport: Junior School (Kindergarten to Year 6)
  2. Emerging Pathway: Sports Development and Personal Growth: Senior School (Years 7 to 12)
  3. Advanced Pathway: Sporting Excellence: Criteria based (Year 7 to 12)
PC_SDPP_Infographic.jpg

The Sports Development and Performance Program is a unique approach to school sport delivery and constantly evolving. In 2022, several initiatives were established by the program which included the following:

  • Repurposing of Perth College Sports Precincts, with improved facilities for all students to enjoy
  • Increased co-curricular sports offerings for Junior School students
  • Greater connection to community club for participation beyond school-based activities
  • Providing boarding house transport arrangements for mid-week training opportunities
  • Creating tailored Strength and Conditioning programs for our advanced student athletes
  • Development of Australia’s first Female Umpiring Academy program in partnership with the West Australian Football Commission
  • Introducing Senior School students to high performing female athletes for workshops and guest speaker experiences


Why did we create the SDPP program?

This program was designed to combat some of the current trends for girls in sport, including addressing the key barriers to that are currently responsible for declining sport participation rates. The Suncorp Australian Youth & Confidence Research 2019 highlighted the following results:

  • Nearly 50% of girls turn their back on sport by the age of 17
  • Girls aged between 15 and 17 spend 2.5 hours less time than boys (of the same age) undertaking physical activity each week
  • 1 in 3 girls aged between 11 and 17 years have stopped playing sport because 'they don’t think they are really good at it'
  • 1 in 2 parents of girls aged between 13 and 17 years believe playing sport is a key confidence booster
  • 1 in 2 parents of girls are concerned about their daughter's self-esteem
  • 2 in 3 girls aged between 11 and 17 years acknowledge that sport can make them feel more confident and great about themselves
  • Adolescent girls and their parents believe sport teaches them (about):
    • Teamwork
    • Connecting with friends
    • Feeling more confident
    • Bouncing back in difficult times
Perth College Umpiring Academy

How does the PC Sports Development and Performance Program support this data?

  1. We are investing in our coaching capabilities to ensure PC students are provided positive, inclusive and advanced teaching environments within school sports.
  2. We are strengthening our sports delivery (in every year level), providing unique engagement and development opportunities for all student abilities.
  3. We are delivering tailored training programs and learning initiatives for targeted Senior School students who display advanced standing within their preferred sport.
  4. We are connecting with external providers and key partners who can elevate our school sports delivery whilst strengthening community club relationships for ongoing student participation across multiple sporting disciplines.
  5. We are working closely with our PC community to communicate our program offerings, identifying the benefits the program will bring to PC students.
  6. We will prioritise holistic development within the program, so students establish healthy connections to sport and continue to remain physically active throughout their lives once graduating.
Perth College Strength and Conditioning Sessions

Perth College works with a number of partners to enable this program to thrive, including:


Find out more information about this exciting program via our Sports Development and Performance video platform or Sports Development and Performance Program.

For any questions about this unique school sport offering, please contact Adam Selwood (Head of Sport Development and Performance) at adam.selwood@pc.wa.edu.au.