By Matthew Sims
A group of South East athletes are packed and ready to learn lessons from the best of the best at the upcoming Coles Little Athletics National High-Performance Camp.
Held at the Gold Coast Performance Centre at Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast from Sunday 1 October to Wednesday 4 October, the camp is designed to offer each athlete an opportunity to improve themselves and a better understanding of the journey and process that is required to assist with their own development.
The camp is hosting current and former Australian International athletes coaching and presenting, as well as sharing their own experiences, and their journey from juniors to international representation.
The local participants from Berwick Little Athletics include long hurdles competitor Max Wright, who achieved third at the 2023 State Track and Field Championships and the 2023 Australian Junior Athletics Championships; 100 metre runner Ariela Sprague, who achieved first at the Australian All Schools Championships 2022; and discus thrower Theodore Eliadis, who achieved first at the recent 2023 Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships.
Max said he was looking forward to discovering ways to improve his starts, learning new methods and skills to get the best out of his abilities and connecting with and learning from other people at the camp.
“To perform at your best, you must be able to relax at the right time but also use your excitement to psych you up,” he said.
“Being mentally ready can play a huge part in whether you run a good time or not and, also handle yourself when things don’t go to plan.”
Ariela said she was keen to reconnect with other competitors she knows from different clubs.
“I am looking forward to making new friends and memories,” she said.
“I want to improve the start of my race and form.”
Theo said he was excited to learn new exercise drills and methods to improve one’s mental resilience.
“I want to improve my consistency in my throwing technique,” he said.
“It is important you can deal with the pressure during major competitions and learn resilience when things don’t go your way.”
Berwick Little Athletics vice president Steve Woolfe said receiving one-on-one support from mentors would be a major boost to the participants’ abilities and knowledge.
“The experience gained from this event is invaluable,” he said.
“These athletes are looked up to at the centre and younger kids aspire to be like them.”
Olympic Gold Medalist Glynis Nunn OAM said she was looking forward to meeting this year’s camp participants.
“I am always very pleased to be able to contribute to the development of up-and-coming Little Athletes,” she said.
“Nothing gives me more pleasure than to see Little Athletes performing at the best and enjoying themselves at the same time.”
Coles Little Athletics Australia chief executive Myles Foreman said the camp is designed to help the next generation of athletes receive the training and mentoring to allow them to advance to the next level in their chosen discipline.
“With the support of some of Australia’s leading coaches and presenters, our Little Athletes will leave the camp ready to set a new personal best,” he said.
Athletes will participate in training sessions, workshops, recovery sessions, presentations, and social activities onsite.
For more information, visit www.littleathletics.com.au
