Athletics Australia – News – AYOF: Nominations open for Youth Olympic Festival

The Australian Youth Olympic Festival returns in 2013, and Athletics Australia are as of today seeking nominations from the country’s best under-18 aged athletes keen to compete.

A multi-sport event for teenage Olympic aspirants, the Australian Youth Olympic Festival is an Australian Olympic Committee initiative to be held over five days from January 16-20 2013.

It boasts a seventeen sport schedule, including golf and rugby-7’s for the first time, with athletics competition set to span two days and welcome competing athletes from China, Brazil, New Zealand and the region of Oceania.

Sara Mulkearns, Athletics Australia Junior High Performance Manager, said: “AYOF is a great introduction to the rigours of international competition, with athletes provided with an enviable opportunity to compete at an event featuring starters from across the world.

“One of the best things about it is that it doesn’t solely include competition, with the AOC working closely with staff at Athletics Australia to broaden the experience to include workshops and seminars designed to assist the athlete in their long-term development.”

Alice Wheeler, Australian Olympic Committee, said: "The sixth edition of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival is set to be a great experience for young athletes from all over Australia and around the world.
 
"The Festival prepares athletes for the pressure of an Olympic Games with an Opening Ceremony, Village style accommodation, medal ceremonies and media commitments.
 
"Since its inception in 2001, the Australian Olympic Committee has seen how valuable the Festival is to prepare young athletes for the Olympic Games. Some of Australia’s most successful Olympic athletes from recent Games such as Sally Pearson and Jared Tallent were triumphant at the AYOF and we expect to see many athletes from 2013 go on to success in Rio."

Athletes will be selected based on their performances at IAAF, Athletics Australia and Member Association competitions between 1 October and 2 December 2012. Please note that selection is at the sole discretion of Athletics Australia’s High Performance Department, with the athlete’s personal best, season best, their performance at Member Association All-Schools and their performance at Australian All-Schools to be considered in this process.

A nomination to compete form must be completed to be considered for selection. This form can be submitted online here, or be returned via email to kylie.williams@athletics.org.au or fax (03) 8646 4560.

Nominations for staff are also now open, with expressions of interest required by 1 November 2012.

Team management, team coaches and one team physiotherapist will be appointed, with staff expected to work across both Australian teams. All staff will be required to stay with the team in the athlete’s village, and must provide a current police check in their application.

To be considered, please nominate here.

For more information on the Australian Youth Olympic Festival, please click here.

Athletics Australia – News