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Jump Start to London 2012
National talent and identification development program for indigenous athletes
Program information:
Athletics Australia (AA), the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) have launched a talent identification and development (NTID) program for indigenous athletes and coaches.
The program will be conducted (subject to satisfactory results) over four years with the goal of having an increased number of indigenous athletes participating at the London 2012 Olympic Games and increasing the number of indigenous coaches in the network.
The program is a perfect opportunity for not only indigenous athletes to develop their talent and skills but also an opportunity for athletics in Australia to take a step forward in terms of coach education and support services.
The initial program will run for 18 months and will involve athletes who are currently participating in the sport at a state or national level of participation and will provide these athletes with an enriching environment of improved training and competition structures that will fast track them to high performance levels and programs. Athletes aged between 17 and 23 years will be selected into the program by reaching the required standards. A panel consisting of members from the AIS, ASC, AA and NEC will consider the athlete’s application.
For further information regarding selection into this program, please contact Sally McGrady on (03) 9869 5013 or sally.mcgrady@athletics.org.au
The daily training environment of the athlete will be enhanced through specific training camps, skills sessions, competition opportunities and exposure to elite coaching expertise. Camps will be held regionally and at the AIS.
Valuable contribution will be provided by the AIS in areas such as athlete testing, education programs (particularly coach education) sports science and sports medicine.
Initially the program will concentrate on two disciplines, namely sprints, (individual events and relays) and jumps* where Australia has already had a measure of success.
*Other events will not be ruled out should an athletes show characteristics for that discipline eg. javelin
Coaches
The athletes who have been identified to form the pilot group have, in most cases, a coach. These coaches will be included in any camp or education program that is implemented. If requested by the personal coach a mentor coach can be assigned to assist in program preparation, and areas such as strength and conditioning. The coaches of identified athletes will be required to comply with a reporting service to allow athlete improvements and progressions to be monitored.
Coaches will also be encouraged to seek professional development opportunities to further develop their skills.
It is anticipated that the main legacy from the Jump Start to London program will be coach education.
Regional coaching coordinators (RCC) have been appointed to coordinate seminars and skills program in their region and liaise closely with the Athletics Australia development manager, ASC NTID senior coordinator, development officers and the athlete coaches. The regional coaching coordinators will initially be in NSW, QLD, WA and NT.
Extended competition opportunities
A significant aspect of the Jump Start to London 2012 program is to extend the competition experiences of indigenous athletes both nationally and internationally. The experience they will gain from travelling will be invaluable in having to deal with international travel, sharing accommodation, pre-departure criteria, preparing for competition, working with unfamiliar coaches and team management.
Development tours to Oceania and Asia are planned for 2007. A number of Indigenous mentors will also be groomed for management and coaching positions.
Athlete/coach commitment
Should athletes wish to participate in this unique program we will be asking them to commit to regular, consistent training programs, assessments by NEC/AIS and institute staff (as required).
Coaches will also be asked to provide regular reports and submit training programs and athlete diaries for assessment by NEC/AIS/SIS/SAS staff.
This will provide an opportunity for the athlete’s progression to be tracked and reviewed.
The X-factor
This will be a unique talent development opportunity for indigenous athletes from schools through to elite levels (Olympics). It will have a comprehensive competition structure with opportunities to gain international experience from a relatively young talent pool known for its athletic ability. Mentors and role models will come from Indigenous backgrounds: Kyle Vander -Kuyp, Patrick Johnson, Nova Batman (Peris), Joshua Ross and Benn Harradine etc. We will be able to tap into the indigenous population in a more structured manner using the ASC indigenous development officers and the NTID coordinators. Education for non-indigenous coaches will include Indigenous cultural awareness giving the program the edge and more participation from Indigenous athletes.
For more details please contact:
Sally McGrady
Development Manager
Email: sally.mcgrady@athletics.org.au
Ph: 03 9869 5013 Mobile: 0438 604 585
Athletics Australia Regional Coaching Coordinators:
Northern Territory RCC
Cherry Harvey
Western Australia RCC
Russell Mathanda
Queensland RCC
Gerrard Keating
New South Wales RCC
Ken Harradine
Australian Sports Commission Regional Coordinators:
New South Wales
Chris Yeomans
Simone Lewis
Queensland
Tracy Trudgett
Kable Kelleway
Northern Territory
Anthony Hazeldene
Western Australia
Sam Farrow
Program information:
Athletics Australia (AA), the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) have launched a talent identification and development (NTID) program for indigenous athletes and coaches.
The program will be conducted (subject to satisfactory results) over four years with the goal of having an increased number of indigenous athletes participating at the London 2012 Olympic Games and increasing the number of indigenous coaches in the network.
The program is a perfect opportunity for not only indigenous athletes to develop their talent and skills but also an opportunity for athletics in Australia to take a step forward in terms of coach education and support services.
The initial program will run for 18 months and will involve athletes who are currently participating in the sport at a state or national level of participation and will provide these athletes with an enriching environment of improved training and competition structures that will fast track them to high performance levels and programs. Athletes aged between 17 and 23 years will be selected into the program by reaching the required standards. A panel consisting of members from the AIS, ASC, AA and NEC will consider the athlete’s application.
For further information regarding selection into this program, please contact Sally McGrady on (03) 9869 5013 or sally.mcgrady@athletics.org.au
The daily training environment of the athlete will be enhanced through specific training camps, skills sessions, competition opportunities and exposure to elite coaching expertise. Camps will be held regionally and at the AIS.
Valuable contribution will be provided by the AIS in areas such as athlete testing, education programs (particularly coach education) sports science and sports medicine.
Initially the program will concentrate on two disciplines, namely sprints, (individual events and relays) and jumps* where Australia has already had a measure of success.
*Other events will not be ruled out should an athletes show characteristics for that discipline eg. javelin
Coaches
The athletes who have been identified to form the pilot group have, in most cases, a coach. These coaches will be included in any camp or education program that is implemented. If requested by the personal coach a mentor coach can be assigned to assist in program preparation, and areas such as strength and conditioning. The coaches of identified athletes will be required to comply with a reporting service to allow athlete improvements and progressions to be monitored.
Coaches will also be encouraged to seek professional development opportunities to further develop their skills.
It is anticipated that the main legacy from the Jump Start to London program will be coach education.
Regional coaching coordinators (RCC) have been appointed to coordinate seminars and skills program in their region and liaise closely with the Athletics Australia development manager, ASC NTID senior coordinator, development officers and the athlete coaches. The regional coaching coordinators will initially be in NSW, QLD, WA and NT.
Extended competition opportunities
A significant aspect of the Jump Start to London 2012 program is to extend the competition experiences of indigenous athletes both nationally and internationally. The experience they will gain from travelling will be invaluable in having to deal with international travel, sharing accommodation, pre-departure criteria, preparing for competition, working with unfamiliar coaches and team management.
Development tours to Oceania and Asia are planned for 2007. A number of Indigenous mentors will also be groomed for management and coaching positions.
Athlete/coach commitment
Should athletes wish to participate in this unique program we will be asking them to commit to regular, consistent training programs, assessments by NEC/AIS and institute staff (as required).
Coaches will also be asked to provide regular reports and submit training programs and athlete diaries for assessment by NEC/AIS/SIS/SAS staff.
This will provide an opportunity for the athlete’s progression to be tracked and reviewed.
The X-factor
This will be a unique talent development opportunity for indigenous athletes from schools through to elite levels (Olympics). It will have a comprehensive competition structure with opportunities to gain international experience from a relatively young talent pool known for its athletic ability. Mentors and role models will come from Indigenous backgrounds: Kyle Vander -Kuyp, Patrick Johnson, Nova Batman (Peris), Joshua Ross and Benn Harradine etc. We will be able to tap into the indigenous population in a more structured manner using the ASC indigenous development officers and the NTID coordinators. Education for non-indigenous coaches will include Indigenous cultural awareness giving the program the edge and more participation from Indigenous athletes.
For more details please contact:
Sally McGrady
Development Manager
Email: sally.mcgrady@athletics.org.au
Ph: 03 9869 5013 Mobile: 0438 604 585
Athletics Australia Regional Coaching Coordinators:
Northern Territory RCC
Cherry Harvey
Western Australia RCC
Russell Mathanda
Queensland RCC
Gerrard Keating
New South Wales RCC
Ken Harradine
Australian Sports Commission Regional Coordinators:
New South Wales
Chris Yeomans
Simone Lewis
Queensland
Tracy Trudgett
Kable Kelleway
Northern Territory
Anthony Hazeldene
Western Australia
Sam Farrow
