Forward focus at U17 National Development Squad camp

Some of the brightest next generation of athletics talent convened in Canberra last week, a chance for young athletes and their personal coaches to work with some of the Australia’s best coaches in an intensive camp held at the Australian Institute of Sport.

The camp, held 16-19 November, was a development opportunity for U17 athletes and their coaches with training and education sessions provided that will help them as they move into the transitional years ahead. Some of the topics covered across the four-day program included psychology, injury prevention and management, nutrition, high performance life skills, anti-doping (supplements), strength and conditioning as well as the importance of recovery. Athletes also continued their regular training across the camp, and enjoyed a tour of the AIS.

Natasha Stenberg (former World Junior representative in the 400 and 800m) was one of the personal coaches invited to attend. Stenberg coaches up and coming hurdler from NSW, Mark Fokas and said that she took a lot from the camp.

"The lectures from Ben [Raysmith] the physio on injury prevention and recovery, I found the most valuable and very useful for my own coaching skills,” she said.

“Working with Lyn Foreman as the National Junior Coach for Hurdles was a highlight for me; she is an amazing mentor and has given me a plethora of knowledge and skills to assist me in my coaching.” 

The overall feel of the camp was a positive experience, as a coach of an up and coming junior athlete, I feel Athletics Australia’s philosophy to work with the personal coaches, to nurture and support our junior athletes to become future champions is a great concept."

The full squad of athletes and their coaches selected for the 2017 U17 program can be found here.

An extensive photo gallery from the camp, can be found here.