Toowoomba helps identify the future stars of volleyball
The Queensland Academy of Sport is ready to secure the future of Australian volleyball right in Toowoomba.
Working alongside The Fit Lab, Harristown State High School and Toowoomba Grammar School the QAS is focused on developing an Emerging Talent Squad.
The purpose of the squad will be to identify and develop young athletes interested in volleyball.
“The purpose of the program is develop a long-term pathway for young athletes,” QAS volleyball head coach Craig Marshall said.
“We want to break down some of the barriers holding young players back and provide more opportunities for more young kids.
“We have a great relationship with Harristown, Toowoomba Grammar and The Fit Lab and the program relies on those links.
“It’s an add-on that will help the individual development of players and coaches.”
Harristown State High will play a major role in the program but the school’s volleyball co-ordinator Glen Martin said the talent net would be cast far and wide over the region.
“The vision isn’t just about Harristown,” Martin said.
“We want to grow the sport in the region.
“The Darling Downs has al-
ways be very competitive at a state level, but we’d like to see
our teams challenging for the title.
“This program can help us achieve that goal.”
The announcement of the new program is equally exciting for The Fit Lab director Chris Hillman who will lead the strength and conditioning development of athletes.
“It is absolutely fantastic news,” Hillman said.
“It opens the door for so many more kids to become involved in the sport and will close the gap between regional, QAS and AIS programs and athletes.”
Interested athletes do not need to have prior volleyball experience to trial to be part of the program.
Visit www.vq.org.au for more information or https:// goo.gl/py2ecJ for a trial registration form.