Athletics Australia – News – DAY 1: Leadership group announced for WYC11

Athletics Australia have this morning announced a leadership group of four for the 2011 IAAF world youth championships.

Set to lead a 29-strong squad into battle across the next five days, Brodie Cross (VIC, pole vault), Hugh Donovan (QLD, 100m, 200m), Monica Brennan (VIC, 200m) and Liz Parnov (WA, pole vault) were acknowledged at the final team meeting before the commencement of competition today. 

Cross, who debuted for Australia at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, boasts a personal best of 5.05m, with his boy’s pole vault qualifying rounds set to take place on Friday morning before the final on Saturday afternoon.

"Having represented Australia before I thought I was a chance but you never expect such an accolade when you head overseas with a team – it’s really humbling," Cross said. 

"For me it’s a big deal, hearing my name called out was a real buzz.

"I'm pretty confident for competition, I have proven that I can jump consistently in training and if I can do the same here then I think I can go really well. 

"I'm so lucky to work with Mark Stewart and the whole squad at Box Hill, they have given me some good advice as I've developed and I know they've got my back."

Coached by dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist Denise Boyd, Donovan lays claim to the Queensland All Schools U14, U15 and U16 100m records. He is travelling with an Australian team for the first time in Lille and enters competition in good form having clocked a 200m personal best (21.35) at the Gold Coast Winter Series two weeks ago. 

Fellow sprinter Monica Brennan joins Donovan in the leadership group, with the Victorian a 200m finalist at last year's Youth Olympics in Singapore (SIN). She is a seven-time Australian All Schools Championships medallist and coached by her father Chris Brennan.

"This is such great news, I definitely wasn’t expecting it but obviously am thrilled to be considered," Brennan said. 

"For me, I think this role will see me act as a support for the other athletes thanks to my experience at international events from the Youth Olympics last year.

"Last night the 400m hurdles girls were nervous and I assured them that is still just athletics and if I can continue doing things like this then my responsibilities will be filled hopefully. 

"My support here is from Mum and Dad, my father Chris is my coach and it’s great to share the experience with them."

Rounding out the four-man group of leaders is Australian Flame Liz Parnov. 

Arguably the most lauded athlete on the team, Parnov in 2010 won the gold medal at the Australian Athletics Championships with a 4.40m personal best before winning a silver medal at the Youth Olympics and representing the Australian Flame at the Commonwealth Games in October.

A training partner of Olympic, world, world indoor and Commonwealth champion Steve Hooker, the 17-year-old is a WAIS scholarship holder will back-up competition in Lille with her 2011 senior European debut at the KBC Night of Athletics on July 16. 

"We have a mature and capable team here in Lille so the choice of leaders was tough," Sara Mulkearns, Athletics Australia Junior High Performance Manager said.

"That said, the selected four are outstanding contributors and I congratulate them – my hope is that they can set a great example for the whole team."

Athletics Australia – News