FROM RED CRABS TO CROSS COUNTRY MADNESS

You would be hard-pressed to find an athletics session anywhere in the world that had an equal amount of fast feet, big smiles, and red crabs than in Christmas Island.

Athletics West’s Coaches & Officials Coordinator Rebecca Del Pup has returned from the Indian Ocean Territories following an 11-day whirlwind tour of Christmas and Cocos Island. The trip saw Athletics West engage athletics fans from across both islands in a range of athletics and coaching programs.

Thanks to the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and the Australian Government, Del Pup was able to get the latest crop of enthusiastic Track and Field fans running, jumping, and throwing ahead of their school athletics carnivals. Engaging every student currently studying on Christmas and Cocos Island in at least one session, Del Pup said she was "excited to have such a strong response to the sport on the islands."

“The desire of the students and staff to learn and improve was unmistakable through their engagement and enthusiasm throughout the sessions,” said Del Pup.

The Christmas Island students decided to start the tour the best way possible by getting the WA sprinter to tackle their unenviable cross-country course. From dodging the endless amount of red and robber crabs to tight turns between the tree roots along the slope of the island, the cheeky Christmas Island kids enjoyed every moment of the warm-up.

“When I asked the PE teacher how many students slip over during the course, the response was ‘quite a few’. Surprisingly for me, I managed to keep my feet.”

Over the five days of school visits, Athletics West was able to deliver a wide range of sessions aimed at preparing them for the highly anticipated athletics carnival set for later in the term.

The sessions helped to build confidence and competence in participating in and coaching athletics events, with the goal of not only breaking school records but also setting students up to pursue athletics further in the future.

Looking to leave a lasting legacy for the sport of athletics, Athletics West also delivered a coaching course to upskill teachers and Christmas Island Cricket and Sporting Club (CICSC) volunteers to ensure ongoing athletics development for the local community.

Del Pup also delivered a speed clinic to the Christmas Island Robbers Rugby League Club. The clinic took the players through various sprinting drills, including fundamentals around effective acceleration and how this technique changes when upright running at max speed.

Highlighting that athletics has no age barrier, the tour also took part in the ‘Stay on Your Feet Program’ aimed at getting Christmas Island senior citizens active. Participants, all aged over 60, took part in a variety of running and throwing activities inside the Poon Saan Community Hall. Activities included relays as well as vortex and ring throwing, with these events being a big hit amongst the locals.

“It was fantastic to showcase the adaptability of our sport to cater for any level of ability or experience” Del Pup added.

The visit to Christmas Island concluded with an island-wide Community Athletics Session delivered through the CICSC, and young kids came out in droves to try different athletics events including throwing shot puts and turbo javelins.

Jumping on a flight and heading across to the white sands of Cocos Island, Del Pup was able to replicate the sessions on the beaches and ovals over three days.

“Scout Park on the Southern end of West Island was riddled with coconut trees & uneven grass. We moved most of the first community session activities onto the beach, resulting in highly competitive rounds of beach flags, particularly challenging beach long jump, and entertaining circular relays”. 

Embracing the fun, family, and fitness aspect of athletics, Cocos Island engaged in the two Community Athletics Sessions on mass and had more than 65% of the local students take part in the final session on the island. Combined with a visit to the local District High School on both the Home and West Island campuses, Athletics West was able to cap off an exciting and historic Indian Ocean Territories tour.

The enthusiasm and excitement from the Islands’ communities towards athletics was incredible to work with and made for an exceptionally valuable visit for both the Islands and Athletics West.

The Christmas and Cocos Island tour was delivered by Athletics West on behalf of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries services in the Indian Ocean Territories are funded by the Australian Government.

You can follow all athletics action via the Athletics West Facebook and Instagram pages.

For more information on how you can get involved in athletics, contact Athletics West on 08 6272 0480 or via admin@athleticswest.com.au.

By David Smith & Dylan Gane

Posted 7 September 2023

Photo by Rebecca Del Pup