Two squads have been established within the OA High Performance structure.
National team selection and team preparation activities sit outside, but complement, this structure. Athletes do not have to be a member of a squad in order to be selected in a national team. However selected athletes will be invited to join applicable squad if eligible at the time of selection.
OA will continue to support states to provide a squad structure to athletes who are not in the OA squads.
To support athletes who striving for top 30 placing at world championships or top 40 placing in a world cup round in the following 3-5 years. Discipline specific groups (e.g. sprint group and forest group) within this squad will assist athletes optimise their performance for their preferred event.
To support athletes who are striving to represent Australia at a Junior or University World Championships in the following 3 years. Where appropriate, athletes may be invited to join activities with discipline specific groups run within the HPS.
Athletes do not need to nominate to join a squad, instead they will be selected based off their performance against the below benchmarks. For each squad, initial selection will be made by the squad coach/s, the OA Head Coach and the OA HP administrator.
Squads will be announced each year as soon as possible after the Australian Championship carnival. Outside of this announcement, athletes can apply to be in the squad at any time in the year if they feel they meet the eligibility criteria. Their application will be assessed by the selection committee above.
Subjective and objective eligibility criteria for each squad is outlined in the OA Squad Structure document. Athletes need to meet most, but not all, eligibility criteria in order to be selected in a squad.
OA will be selecting a sprint specific squad in 2026. This squad will be selected from athletes named in the High Performance and National Development Squads. More information about this squad can be found here.
The HPMG is currently seeking expressions of interest to be a squad coach in 2026. Submit your EOI using the form here.
2026 Squads will be announced as soon as they are selected. Selection will occur after the 2026 Australian Championships
The MTBO squad information will be posted here when available.
Completion of anti-doping education is a mandatory requirement for squad selection.
