Emerging Athlete Development Program (EADP)
The EADP is an SA Country Basketball athlete and coach development strategy involving the systematic and progressive identification, selection, and development of players in the U16 and U18 age groups.
The primary aim of the EADP is to create flexible and adaptable athletes that have the behaviours, physical attributes, fundamental skills and IQ to transition to the National level and beyond.
The EADP guides the development of identified potential State Team players and coaches by improving their individual skills, understanding, and training standards with athletes working on technical, tactical, physical, and team concepts in a dedicated age specific high-performance training environment designed to replicate that of the expectations and standards of a National team to improve both understanding and performance of each player and coach.
The EADP consists of twelve (12) sessions delivered across six (6) Saturdays over two (2) school terms in alignment with respective National Championships, with a heavy focus on individual skill development and introduction and reinforcement of core team concepts consistent with the SA Country and National Style of Play.
The EADP selects approximately 20-28 athletes per gender in the U16 & U18 age groups. The number of athletes selected will be dependent on talent potential and will include bottom age athletes to ensure late developers are kept in work for the future. The number of development teams is determined by how many athletes are selected and athletes will have the opportunity to showcase their development through participation at the Australian Junior Country Basketball Championships.
Technical direction for the EADP is provided by the High Performance Manager and works to establish SA Country Basketball Style of Play philosophies and concepts in line with Australia Junior National Team best practice.
Objectives of the EADP
• Identify players displaying the characteristics and ability of an elite player at Association tournaments, Junior Country Championships and EADP trials.
• Transition ‘potential’ into ‘talent’ by developing, reinforcing and monitoring positive training habits and providing progressive technical and tactical instruction to EADP players
• Introduce and reinforce core team concepts and individual skills consistent with the SA Country Style of Play
• Increase players training contact time with expert coaches under the direction of the High Performance Manager
• Educate players and coaches about sports science and sports medicine and how it relates to performance through the use of the OwnUrGoal app
• Provide effective performance and coaching support for coaches
• Improve the preparation and development of bottom age players