Talented Athlete Program
Train. Learn. Perform.
The Talented Athlete Program (TAP) is designed for student-athletes in Years 10-12 who are committed to pursuing excellence in both their sport and their education. Integrated into the school day, the Talented Athlete Program provides a flexible senior secondary pathway that supports the demands of training, competition, travel, and recovery, while ensuring students remain on track to achieve their NTCET and nationally recognised VET qualifications.
Developed specifically for Northern Territory athletes, the Talented Athlete Program helps bridge the gap between education and high-performance sport. The program has been created to complement existing sporting pathways, not replace them, allowing students to continue their involvement with their club, academy, representative or talent programs while accessing additional athlete development opportunities during school hours.
Applications are open to students entering Years 10-12 who:
- Are currently involved in an official High Performance, Talent or Academy program; or
- Have been identified by their sporting organisation as an emerging high-performance athlete.
All applications will be verified with the relevant sporting organisation.
What You Will See
Our unique structure ensures that each class has a dedicated teacher, fostering deep connections, trust, and a personalised learning experience. This model allows educators to connect with students and understand their strengths, weaknesses and goals, ultimately enhancing learning and wellbeing outcomes.
Students learn through a balanced weekly structure:
- Classroom-based NTCET & VET learning sessions
- Sport-specific training sessions aligned to the student's chosen sport, subject to availability
- Strength and conditioning coaching
- Recovery and regeneration experiences
- Work experience
- Community Program Delivery
This structure builds routine, independence, and workplace readiness.
Program schedules may vary throughout the year and between sporting pathways.
Learning takes place in a range of environments, including sporting facilities, community settings, and industry workplaces. Students apply their learning in real contexts, building adaptability and confidence.
Each student develops a personalised plan through the College's MyPLAN system to track goals, experiences, and progress. Regular check-ins support reflection, growth, and ownership of their learning pathway.
Students are supported by both their teacher and a dedicated support team, ensuring academic, wellbeing, and engagement needs are met throughout the year.
What Students Experience
Students participate in a range of experiences designed to support both athletic and personal development, including:
- Scheduled sport-specific training sessions aligned with their chosen sport
- Strength and conditioning coaching
- Recovery and regeneration sessions through P3 Recovery
- Access to coaches, sporting organisations and performance specialists
These experiences are designed to complement existing sporting commitments while supporting both athletic and academic success.
Students plan and deliver sport and activity clinics, particularly in primary school settings, as part of their NTCET and VET subjects. These experiences build leadership, communication, teamwork, and confidence in real-world contexts while allowing students to make a meaningful contribution to local schools and community programs.
Students work alongside sporting organisations and our industry partners across the Territory. They gain exposure to professional environments through event support, coaching and work experience opportunities, and hands-on involvement in real industry settings.
Students complete structured work experience one day per week, allowing them to explore career pathways, develop workplace skills, and build industry connections.
Students participate in camps, competitions, and leadership programs that build resilience, connection, and personal growth.
Students develop industry skills through coaching and officiating courses, First Aid Training, and VET qualifications linked to Sport and Recreation.
What Curriculum is Delivered
Year 10 Subjects:
- English
- Mathematics
- Aboriginal Studies
- Physical Education
- Exploring Identities and Futures
Year 11 Subjects:
- English
- Mathematics
- Health and Wellbeing
Year 12 Subjects:
- Integrated Learning (Careers)
- Duke of Edinburgh Award
- Additional NTCET Subjects - Additional NTCET subjects are offered to students who need extra credits to attain their Year 12 certificate. This typically applies to students who did not start at the College at the beginning of Year 10.
- Work Experience
- Community Work Days
- Athlete Development Education
Year 10: SIS20321 Certificate II in Sport Coaching
Year 11: SIS30122 Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation
Year 12: BSB30120 Certificate III in Business
SEDA College NT Limited provides training and assessment services, individual support services and recruitment of prospective learners for this qualification on behalf of IVET Institute (RTO Provider: 40548) for these qualifications. ivetinstitute.com.au Qualifications are subject to change, and IVET Institute is responsible for the issuance of AQF certification documentation.
The Outcome
Through the Talented Athlete Program, students develop the knowledge, skills and habits required to succeed in both sport and life.
- Enhanced leadership, communication and teamwork skills
- Greater resilience, self-discipline and accountability
- Improved ability to balance training, competition and academic commitments
- Increased confidence in high-performance and real-world environments
- Stronger understanding of recovery, nutrition, wellbeing and athlete development
- Access to industry connections, coaches and performance specialists
- A clearer pathway to university, employment, representative and professional sport, and careers within the broader sport and recreation industry
Students graduate with the confidence, professionalism and practical skills to pursue their goals both on and off the field.