Athletics Australia - News - The next generation in distance come together
“It is hoped that the group of athletes gathered together this weekend will in the future make up Australia’s distance ranks,” Tim O’Shaughnessy, Athletics Australia National Distance Coordinator, said.
Australia’s most promising junior distance runners will come together in Melbourne this weekend, Athletics Australia playing host to the athletes from across the country as part of a four day camp. ©Athletics Australia
Australia’s most promising junior distance runners will come together in Melbourne this weekend, Athletics Australia playing host to the athletes from across the country as part of a four day camp.
Culminating with competition at Round 7 of Athletics Victoria’s XCR’10 tomorrow (Saturday, July 31), the camp aims to develop junior runners into elite and independent senior athletes.
To be led by senior athletes Jeff Riseley and Kaila McKnight, the 16-strong contingent includes 2009 world youth championships representatives Kane Grimster and Jordan Williamsz as well as Ethan Heywood and Demi Wood who in March flew the Australian flag at the 2010 world cross country championships.
“It is hoped that the group of athletes gathered together this weekend will in the future make up Australia’s distance ranks,” Tim O’Shaughnessy, Athletics Australia National Distance Coordinator, said.
“Despite some athletes still making their way back from world juniors, we are holding the camp this weekend to allow for athletes to not only run as part of AV’s cross country season but also hear from Delhi-bound athlete Jeff Riseley amongst others.”
Riseley and McKnight will act as camp mentors, assisting in the delivery of programs established to share training ideas, build training programs and educate about the rigours of competition both domestically and abroad.
“Becoming the best athlete you can be is a much easier task if you work together with those taking similar steps, sharing ideas and learning from each other is vital in athlete development,” O’Shaughnessy said.
“Not to mention these runners will often spend long periods of time away from their family and friends so it’s important that these runners are independent and confident.”
The camp will close on Sunday following a series of training activities under the guidance of Chris Wardlaw.
Wardlaw, the coach of Craig Mottram, will take the group through their paces at Ferny Creek, a traditional cross country training venue on the outskirts of Melbourne famous for its two mile hill.
XCR’10 – Round 7
Saturday, July 31 2010
Brimbank Park, Keilor East (Vic)
For more information on the XCR’10, follow this link to the Athletics Victoria website
Athletics Australia - News
