QAS coaches put talent through paces
VOLLEYBALL: The next crop of volleyball stars from the Darling Downs have been given a golden opportunity to learn from the best.
The QAS has been conducting a regional development training program for the aspiring players at TGS over the past month, giving them elite training and advice on how they can take their game to the next level.
QAS assistant coach Dean Bielanowski said the high performance sessions had a goal of furthering the development of stars from the region.
“We identify athletes that we think have potential to play for Australia or potentially overseas as professional athletes,” he said.
“In the QAS program we’re pretty big on mindset of athletes. All the athletes that come to a session we’re constantly enforcing they’ve got to have a growth mindset.
“We want them to be better athletes and people by the time they walk out the door.”
One of those keen participants is Year 10 student Allen Lee who currently plays for the Grammar 1st VI.
He said being able to take in the teachings and tactics of higher level coaching has benefited his game.
“It’s really been quite an eye opener,” Lee said. “We’ve been exposed to a lot more advanced tactics, advanced skills and the players have been getting closer with each other which is always good.
“I hope to get a different perspective on the game, and a more advanced perspective like what a national team would get.
Lee has floated between the positions of an opposite hitter and backcourt specialist.
“They have taught us for each position on where we should be and how we should play the position,” he said.
“For me personally it’s a lot about getting the basic skills right. Volleyball is all about who can make the least errors.
“We always try to go back to the basics, get the technique right and make sure that happens before we can execute a more advanced level of skill.”
With future ambitions to take his talents further in the sport, Lee said he had been able to get a greater understanding of how to impress in front of selectors.
“I’m looking to play volleyball way out of school. Possibly Darling Downs teams and the Toowoomba Titans,” he said. “Right now I’m looking to get selected for the Queensland team and this has helped me a lot understand what coaches are looking for and what they expect of me so I can adapt to what they need.”