Stars of future set for Aussie champs
THE next Sally Pearson, Jared Tallent, Brandon Starc or Dane Bird-Smith are in the final stages of preparation before heading to the Far North.
And, waiting for them are a team of emerging Far North athletes, led by Liam Stephens, Noah Watson, Beau Stroud, Hannah Edwards and Jaimee Atkins, who are keen to show they have what it takes when the 2018 Australian All Schools Championships comes to Cairns.
The event is billed as the best of the best of the next generation of track and field champions with many world class athletes, such as Pearson (hurdler), Tallent (race walker), Starc (high jumper) and BirdSmith (race walker), coming through similar events on their pathway to professional sports.
Athletics North Queensland FNQ Athletics co-ordinator Dayne O’Hara encouraged the Far North public to come and witness Australia’s best 13-17 year old track and field champions from across the land in their own backyard.
“Athletics North Queensland is proud to be able to host the All School Championships in Cairns,” O’Hara said.
“This is the first time that this type of event has been held in Cairns, and the second time in history that this has ever been held outside a capital city.
“We are expecting over 1800 athletes will be competing between December 7-9.
“The Australian All Schools Athletics Championships is the pinnacle event for all schoolbased athletes across the country, with competitors selected from each State and Territory of Australia.
“These Championships in past years have attracted in excess of 1000 athletes between the age of 12 and 17, and will be staged over three days, between December 7-9.
“Hosting an event of this size would not be possible without our sponsors, who, like Athletics North Queensland, want to attract more events of this kind to Cairns to help grow participation for all ages and abilities.”
Townsville has hosted the event previously and Peninsula Sport’s Jo Butland says it is a big opportunity for the Far North.
“We will have 20 odd kids from up here competing, which is really impressive,” Butland said.
“It is a big event on the athletics calendar and all the up and coming athletes come through this system.”
Cairns high jumper Liam Stephens says the local contingent are ready to compete on home soil.
All athletes that finished first (1st) or second (2nd) in the 13 years, 14 years, 15 years, 16 years and 17 years events at the 2018 Queensland Secondary Schools Track & Field Championships (October 25 to 28) were eligible for selection in the Queensland team.
Early bird ticket sales are now available by visiting http:// athleticsnorthqld.org.au/
“Cairns is getting better at supplying national and international standard competition facilities, especially in the last six months where the facilities and equipment have been updated to assist as to train and perform at our best,” he said.
“In 2017 while at a competition at a school athletics comp, a local high jump coach noticed my performance and asked if I wanted a coach.
“From there I have been training, which has helped to get me to a national meet.” to reduce heart rate. As higher heart rates waste energy and can trigger anxiety attacks this is a crucial skill to master. Simple, easy, and it works.
Further, when nasal breathing is used our brains, muscles, and heart adapt meaning more vital oxygen available for performance.
Conscious and controlled breathing must be practised and incorporated into an athlete’s preparation and training to become habitual.
By doing this an athlete’s training will yield more results as that state of calm, focus and composure will transfer to better execution, which will result in better habits. That is what training is all about right?
Training so much that our skills become automatic.
I wish all Cairns athletes in the All Schools Carnival best of luck, and perhaps, in the next week, add some conscious breathing to your final sessions. You won’t regret it!
CONSCIOUS AND CONTROLLED BREATHING MUST BE PRACTISED AND INCORPORATED INTO AN ATHLETE’S … TRAINING TO BECOME HABITUAL
Rob Gronbeck is a Cairnsbased performance psychology coach.