07.10.2009

Boyd joins Parnov in Perth

The reputation of Western Australian Institute of Sport pole vault coach Alex Parnov and unfinished business have convinced Queenslander Alana Boyd to move west to take the next step in her already impressive career.

Boyd's move to Perth, where she will train at the all-new Western Australian Athletics Centre, has been met with support from her father and former coach Ray Boyd – himself an Australian pole vault legend – with the 25-year-old Olympian due to arrive in Perth in coming weeks.

Boyd, who placed 16th at last year's Olympic Games and withdrew from the world championships in August due to injury, initiated the switch to WAIS after witnessing the continued success of coach Alex Parnov and his athletes training out of Western Australia.

“Alex has proven himself as arguably the best pole vault coach in the world,” Boyd told The West Australian.

“He has taken the likes of Dmitri Markov, Kym Howe, Paul Burgess and now Steve Hooker to achieve amazing feats at world, Olympic and Commonwealth Games level.”

Boyd, the leading female pole vault athlete in the country and two-time national champion, said she was looking forward to setting new challenges in the west with Parnov's squad.

“I want to be the best that I can be, and to make sure I get the most out of myself I need to be with Alex and his coaching squad,” she said.

“Dad sees this as a natural progression and he and my mum (former Olympian Denise Boyd) were the people who suggested that I spend some time with Alex in Perth."

Western Australian Institute of Sport executive director Steve Lawrence said the relocation suited all parties.

“Alana initiated the discussion with full support from her father, who has been her coach until now,” Lawrence said.

“Athletics Australia high performance manager Eric Hollingsworth was also supportive of the relocation.”

Lawrence also confirmed that due to funding requirements Boyd would be registered as a West Australian athlete, as 90 per cent of the WAIS program was supported through West Australian money.

“It is a requirement for her to agree to WA representation for us to allocate money for an athlete of her status to train here,” Lawrence said.

With thanks to the Western Australian Institute of Sport