YOUTH DEVELOPING THROUGH EXCLUSIVE PROGRAM

Young athletes from around WA were given the chance to develop their athletics careers and make long lasting connections, as Athletics West’s inaugural Youth Development Program concluded recently.

Culminating in a two-night camp at Ern Halliday Recreational Camp, the Program not only gave athletes a range of qualifications, as well as a chance to advance their leadership and coaching skills.

For Hamersley athlete Imogen Boss, the camp was a great opportunity to get a group of qualifications easily, whilst also exposing her to new events and giving her the opportunity to meet new people. 

“[The Youth Development Program] was really good, I found it was good to get to help with officiating at Strive and I felt like it was a really cool way to get a group of qualifications which may be harder to get separately.” Imogen said.

“I found [officiating at Strive] really fun. I got to help with Pole Vault which is an event most people don’t get enough exposure to I think, that was really interesting. I also got to start the 1500 metres which was really exciting.”

“[I really enjoyed] getting to meet a group of other athletes and people who are interested in the same thing as you, which I wouldn’t have met otherwise without the program.”

The Program also allowed Imogen to gain a new perspective on athletics, providing her with the chance to see how events are run and how much effort going into officiating and ensuring events run smoothly.

“I learnt that a lot of work going on behind the scenes for the officials, us athletes we just rock up and everything is all set up. I learnt that one of the officials, Bruce, he rocks up at like 8.30 in the morning for a Strive event which is in the evening. A lot of work goes in that we don’t see.”

“I would definitely recommend it, even if you just want to give officiating or coaching a go, it’s really good. I’ll definitely be using the coaching qualifications I have now.”

The Youth Development Program allowed for students to tour exclusive WAIS facilities where the State’s High Performance Athletes train, whilst also getting meet WAIS Coaches Danny Kevan and Cruz Hogan.

From there, camp participants completed World Athletics Technical Officials Modules to gain their State Level officiating qualification, also getting the opportunity to listen to an Introduction to Officiation presentation, ran by 2018 Commonwealth Games officials, Matthew Vine & Kylee McVee.

To go alongside this Intro to Officiating presentation, athletes also received Athletics Australia Level 1 Coach Accreditation, which was delivered by former dual Olympics heptathlete and 2x Commonwealth games silver medallist Kylie Wheeler.

Participants also took part in a Leadership Workshop which was run by leadership coach for elite female sports teams such as the Fremantle Dockers, Perth Glory and Western Force, Monica Beazley.

The camp wrapped up as athletes were given the chance to build friendships through various team building exercises and activities including archery, crate climbing and a quiz night.

Athletics West wishes to congratulate the following athletes who took part in the Youth Development Program.

Athletics West proudly delivered the Youth Development Program in partnership with the Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries.

You can follow all of the athletics action from the 2023/24 Athletics West Summer Season presented by Go For 2&5 via Athletics West’s Facebook & Instagram pages.

For any queries, please contact Athletics West at admin@athleticswest.com.au or 08 6272 0480.

By Dylan Gane, Athletics West

Posted 30 January 2024