Otago body brings back programme for highperformers
AN old programme has returned to help boost Otago’s elite athletes.
Athletics Otago has reestablished its squad programme after a fiveyear hiatus.
The senior squad is made up of the topend talent in the region, while promising youngsters can also fill a talent ID squad.
This year’s 58strong squad was announced at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday.
It covers the best athletes across all the track and field disciplines, as well as those in cross country and road running.
Entry to the senior squad is gained by being within 7% of the Otago record, achieving a top four senior national championship result, or a medal in the junior grade.
Squad athletes would receive support via education and potential financial help, while there were hopes to run a training camp.
Raylene Bates, a squad director, said it was hoped not only would it boost their performance, but also provide Otago athletes something to aspire to.
‘‘One [reason for bringing it back] was around what is there for some of our athletes, what is there for them to aspire to?’’ Bates said.
‘‘For our younger athletes it’s what is the sense of purpose?
‘‘What gives you a little bit of pride?
‘‘What makes you get out there and want to obtain a better performance?
‘‘For our senior athletes it was recognising their performances.’’
The squad would be run by five directors — Bates, Joan Merrilees, Dave McNeill, Mike Weddell and Kieran Fowler.
Bates said they hoped to get it started before passing it on to some younger people with fresh ideas.
She felt there was plenty of quality within the squad and throughout the local athletics scene.
‘‘If you asked me before I started before I did the research for who has qualified for the squad, I would have said we’ve lost some traction.
‘‘But now I see how many athletes have obtained performances to become part of our squad and the performances achieved in the rankings, we’re sitting really well.
‘‘We had some great performances at nationals last year, a lot of our athletes are performing on the national stage constantly.’’
She added it was great to see many of the top seniors having come through the agegrades to be performing on the national level.
Equally it was good for the younger athletes to see not all of those were stars as teenagers, and had stuck at it to achieve their success.