All systems go for teens
Former NRL referee to address young officials
What a start to the year we’ve all had.
To all those impacted by the devastation of storms and floods, I hope you are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.
As the Gold Coast Academy of Sport looks to the year ahead, the calendar is looking quite busy with new and returning programs.
The academy has kicked off the year with our under-14 rugby union program.
It was wonderful to have so many applications and on this occasion we had too many apply for positions.
There seems to be an increased demand for young athletes wanting to learn more about their sport and health.
Boys will attend sessions covering aspects of strength and conditioning, body maintenance, recovery, nutrition, and sport psychology.
The weather has not been kind but the squad has still been able to have practical sessions concentrating on how to improve and further develop their skills ahead of the upcoming rugby season.
Along with the rugby program commencing we will again be working with the Gold Coast Rugby League Refereeing Association with specific focus on improving speed and running technique.
In addition to the specific sprint sessions the participants will have presentations on nutrition, recovery techniques, strength and conditioning elements and psychology where the topic of overcoming pressure and making decisions will be covered.
The young referees also have the opportunity to listen to guest speaker, Opposition Housing and Public Works and Sports and Racing spokesman Tim Mander.
He will speak to the participants about his experiences as one of the leading rugby league referees in the world.
His knowledge and experience as a former referee is wonderful advice for them to hear.
The academy will continue its involvement with Upper Coomera State College delivering a variety of topics to years 7, 8 and 9 students.
This year it will be exciting to commence a specific sports program with AB Paterson College, which has initiated a development plan for its talented sporting students.
For those interested in fitness, health and well being, the academy will begin the six-month Future Stars program at RACV Royal Pines in March.
In this program athletes from many different sports come together to discuss a myriad of topics.
Athletes this year will also have a membership to their local World Gym facility.
This will enable them to continue to develop and build on their strength and fitness development as learn more in the program.
Athletes will cover nutrition, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, various fitness modalities, body maintenance and rehabilitation, social media, cyber safety and time management, leadership and culture and many more.
We also encourage parents and coaches who wish to attend to come along.
With the 2032 Olympic Games to be held in Brisbane it is a wonderful opportunity for young athletes to learn the many facets of fitness and performance.
The future stars program provides this opportunity and at the first session the group is put through some general fitness tests to help athletes and their coaches identify any strengths and weaknesses.
We also see how the young athletes work together, support each other and respond to the stresses of performance.
All information gained throughout the six-month program broadens the athlete’s knowledge and helps to further support their training and competition.
The academy would like to thank the Gold Coast City Council for its continued support of not only the academy but of the young athletes in the region.
They are our future, and it would be amazing to see them compete in Brisbane in 2032.
We would also like to thank RACV Royal Pines for making the venue available for this program to be conducted.
Other partners and sponsors we would like to thank are: RACV Royal Pines, Magic Millions, All Sports Physiotherapy, AllSports Travel, 94.1FM, Hart Sport, Chempro, Her Medical, the Carbine Club, Cambio and the Southport Sharks.
It is with great pleasure that the academy, in partnership with the Carbine Club, launch the scholarship program where two athletes will be given funds to help them in their endeavours in their chosen sport.
We would encourage parents and athletes to apply for this scholarship to help their journey.
In 2023, the academy and the Carbine Club were able to offer bursaries to two young girls, helping them in their sporting journey.
Julia Mannell is currently overseas competing in the Australian national team at the Canadian Open and US Open Taekwondo Championships.
The other recipient, Charlie Guy, competed in the World BMX Championships finishing fourth in her age group.
The Carbine Club bursary applications are now open and will close at the end of April.
We would encourage all young athletes between the ages of 15 and 19 to apply to help with costs of training, competition, equipment and travel.