Ready to launch | Pole Vaulters gear up for Birmingham action

Australia’s leading pole vaulters are on track to defend their medals at the Commonwealth Games this August, following their latest training camp focussed on innovation and collaboration at the Western Australian Institute of Sport in Perth.

Athletics Australia’s Event Group Lead for Pole Vault, Paul Burgess said the camp, funded by Commonwealth Games Australia’s Green2Gold2Great program was modelled to allow athletes, coaches and staff alike to learn from each other over the training block.

“Though our elite pole vaulters are based in Perth already, our camps provide an opportunity for the country’s budding athletes and their coaches to come together with some of our best sport scientists and coaching staff to further their development. It also creates a cohesive environment and allows our WAIS pole vaulters to gain different perspectives on their training,” Burgess said.

“We use a team based approach to shape our camps so that athletes can learn from different people and work as a team, and so that the success for one of our athletes is a success for all of us.”

The integrated system too, allows Burgess and his team to continue the development of the national pole vault program to ensure there is a steady stream of competitive athletes aiming for Australian representation.

“That’s the main theme – tapping into the knowledge and experience of various coaches and sports scientist, and grow it so there is an understanding that every facet of our system contributes to success on the world stage.”

2018 Commonwealth Games medallists Kurtis Marschall and Nina Kennedy led the charge for the cohort of seven at WAIS, with both making strides towards their goal of winning medals in Birmingham. Marschall completed his camp with a 5.70m clearance in competition, while Kennedy reached heights of 4.65m in training, showing that both are on track for success at the World Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games. Developing athletes Jack Downey and Elyssia Kenshole also impressed, with both laying solid foundations at the camp after coming back from injury.

“It was really great for some of the younger athletes to integrate with Nina and Kurtis and see what goes into elite training, and I know Nina and Kurtis got a lot out of it too as some of the newer athletes cheered them on,” Burgess said.

“On top of the data collected as well as athlete and coaching learnings, I think we really created a better bond within our pole vault community in Australia. We’re very disconnected with many of us on opposite sides of the country, but these camps give us a chance to collaborate, and help each other, which I know will continue after this camp.”

The camp in Perth was made possible by funding support through Commonwealth Games Australia’s Green2Gold2Great program, which better’s Australia’s chances of maintaining the number one position in the Commonwealth at the Games.

“It’s been fantastic to have this kind of support from Commonwealth Games Australia. We’ve had a rich history of success at the Commonwealth Games, with 27 medals won so far and we know there will be plenty more to come with support like this,” Burgess said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how pole vaulters compete over the following months as a result of this camp, and excited to see how competitive athletes like Kurt and Nina are when they compete against the best in the Commonwealth.”

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted:  27/5/2022