Athletics Australia – News – Apple Isle welcomes Australia\’s up and coming stars

Hobart was the centre of the Australian athletics universe this past weekend, with the Briggs Athletics Classic and Australian 20km Race Walking Championships held alongside three junior high performance camps.

Joining Australia’s best athletes on the track, field or road, up and coming talent who will also took part in a 400m hurdles camp, a 4x100m relay camp and the Under 21’s Mentor Program.

Led by Australian Flame athlete coaches Matt Beckenham and Craig Hilliard, the 400m hurdles introduced developing athletes to, amongst other things, biomechanics and video analysis.

With Tristan Thomas, Brendan Cole and Lauren Boden also addressing athletes about training schedules and programs, the camp culminated in competition at the Briggs Athletics Classic as Tatum Shaw (59.54), Chloe Jamieson (59.86), Tessa Consedine (60.05), Shenae Peterson (60.12) and Sarah Carli (60.40) all clocked world youth championships qualifiers.

Meanwhile across town, the 4x100m relay camp discussed the culture of relays and the importance of planning under the guidance of coaches Peter Fortune, Lyn Foreman, Steve Gaffney, Jodi Lambert and Brad Carter.

With video analysis used to highlight ways in which athletes can improve their changes, the 25 athletes in attendance competed at a Tasmanian interclub meet on Saturday and Round 2 of the Australian Athletics Tour on Sunday, with extremely wet conditions not enough to dampen athlete enthusiasm.

“The 4x100m relay and the 400m hurdles are two target event development areas of the Target Talent Program and it was great to see our first batch of athletes relish the opportunity to take part,” Rosie Ditton, Athletics Australia’s Target Talent Program Coordinator, said.

“Australian coaches have an unbelievable amount of knowledge and we were thrilled to see the next breed of possible stars listen to and learn from them.”

Rounding out junior development programs on the Apple Isle was the Under 21’s Mentor Program.

Now in its second year, the program aims to provide a clear link for athletes as they complete junior competition and look to continue their elite involvement in athletics at a senior level.

Guided by Maxine Corcoran, Charlene Rendina, Dion Russell, Leigh Miller, Marion O’Shaughnessy, Warren Parr and Debbie Sosimenko, athletes in smalls groups met with mentors to discuss their transition in the sport, balancing athletics with school, work and life and continuing to work towards their goals of representing Australia internationally.

“Mentoring athletes through the transition period that unavoidably occurs at the end of junior age competition has proven to be a great way to integrate athletes into senior representation,” Sara Mulkearns, Athletics Australia Junior High Performance Manager, said.

“Those that guide our up and coming athletes have been there, they are Australian record holders, Olympic medallists and national champions and that understanding of an athlete’s situation makes the program work so wonderfully.”

Athletics Australia – News