<09.08.06> - Athletics Tasmania & Tasmanian Institute Of Sport Announce State Development Squad
09 Aug 2006
|
Athletics Tasmania Governing Body for Track and Field in Tasmania |
|
|
|
|
|
MEDIA RELEASE |
|
|
|
|
ATHLETICS TASMANIA AND TASMANIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT ANNOUNCE STATE DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
Tasmania’s track and field stars will deliver 100 national medals per year to the State, if the newly announced AT/TIS State Development Squad fulfils its purpose, AT President,
Mr Roe was speaking at the Tasmanian Institute of Sport where he joined TIS State Performance Coordinator, Peter Fortune, to announce the formation of the AT/TIS Development Squad.
The Squad represents a group of 50 athletes and their coaches who have been identified as possessing the talent and dedication to achieve further success at national level and potentially gain national representation.
The Squad concept aims to encourage and provide a pathway for Tasmania’s most promising young athletes to progress to World Youth, World Junior, and ultimately, World Championship and Olympic level. The Squad also caters for talented senior athletes, who are already or show potential to be competitive at national level. Performance standards have been set and it is anticipated that the group will grow.
A major focus of the squad will be providing Tasmania’s emerging and talented group of coaches with increased access to other elite national level coaches through clinics and developing on-going links. Other activities scheduled are event camps, sports science, and seminars on nutrition, media training, and sports medicine.
Fortune was excited about the possibilities that the Squad can provide to raise the focus and promote a culture of excellence for track and field in Tasmania.
“I look forward to working with Athletics Tasmania and our coaches and athletes in developing greater opportunities leading towards Beijing and beyond,” Mr Fortune said.
“We have the talent here in Tasmania. The biggest challenge is often convincing the athletes and coaches that we do.”
Mr Roe was equally enthusiastic - “The recent appointments of both Peter Fortune and our Development Officer,
He said he key component of the Squad programme would be the opportunity for Mr Fortune to work directly with the athletes and their coaches in their usual training environment.
Tasmania’s athletes won 44 medals at national level in 2005/06.
“We have set ourselves at tough target but we are confident that within two to three years we can more than double this return,” Roe said.
Launceston – 9 August 2006
[Squad composition follows]
Further information:
AT/TIS DEVELOPMENT SQUAD – 2006/07
SPRINTS/HURDLES - Tao Baker (Western Suburbs), Sam Crosswell (Sandy Bay), Katie Nicholson (North Launceston), Aaron Griggs (Eastern Suburbs), Madelin Poke (North West), Tyler Heron (WS), Danielle Taylor (WS), Tamika Johnston (NW), Holly Baxter (WS), Melissa Kay (NW), Hannah Chapman (ES)
MIDDLE/LONG DISTANCE - Tom Beard (OVA), Elyse Jenkins (SB), Jessica Morey (OVA), Anthea Bennett (SB), Libby Clarke (Newstead Harriers), Nathan Morey (OVA), Kim Dutkowski (SB), Grant Page (Northern Suburbs), Karinna Fyfe (NL), Nicole Perry (NW), Andrew Harding (ES), Oscar Phillips (NH), Josh Harris (Tamar), Oliver Stanesby (T), Sophie Ireland (SB), Isabella Thompson (SB)
JUMPS - Carmen Miller (NL), Toby Campain (NH), Laura Nicholson (NL), Danielle Dwyer (NL), Luke Vaessen (NL), Lauren Vaessen (NL), Simon Bennett (NS)
THROWS - Daniel Boatwright (NH), Todd Hodgetts (NH), Christopher Edwards (ES), Rhiannon Maher (NW), James Guest (NH), Anita Millington (NL), Huw Peacock (ES), Hamish Peacock (ES), Stuart Morse (ES)
WALKS - Lizzy Malcomson (ES)
COMBINED EVENTS - Brittany Knee (WS), Jamie Iles (ES), Maverick Weller (NW)