The three-day program held at the Sydney Academy of Sport was an opportunity for the athletes in the U15, 17, 19 and Open age groups to come together and fine-tune their skills in a high performance environment.
Those selected to attend already boast impressive resumes with NSW and Australian medallists counted among their number, and will come away from the weekend full of additional confidence.
Athlete development is an important focus for Surf Life Saving New South Wales, and this pathway has been identified as a means of encouraging skill development among their peers and could potentially lead to selection in a State team in the future.
During the program the attendees participated in training sessions, technical analysis, education sessions and team building exercises with some of the most formidable minds on the Surf Sport circuit.
Australian Lifesaving Head Coach Danny Short the man at the helm of the recent World Championship campaign in The Netherlands presented a series of lectures on planning, athlete preparation and pathways. Andrew Bowden and Rachael King conducted a pool rescue session, while Martin Lynch shared his tips during a track sprint session.
Also in attendance were top NSW coaches Jim Walker (North Bondi), Damien Benson (Avoca Beach) and Scott McCartney (Cudgen Headland) oversaw many training sessions over the three days and generously passed on their knowledge amassed over their years of experience.
NSW Surf Sports Development Officer Tim Piper was delighted with the successful staging of the Senior Performance Academy.
“It’s important that we continue to offer opportunities to all our athletes to enhance their skill development and with these excellent facilities on Sydney’s Northern Beaches we’re excited to be able to offer these programs.
“All the athletes who attended have been identified by their clubs and branches as capable of making that step up to the next level of competition,” Mr Piper said.
“While the Senior Performance Academy isn’t the only way for a surf sport athlete to improve their skills it is a great stepping stone to higher honours. I’m sure that everyone who attended gained a lot out of the experience and we will be watching their results with great interest over the season ahead,” he concluded.
2016 Senior Performance Academy Athletes:
Under 15:
• Charli Brown (North Curl Curl SLSC)
• Hayley Smith (Cudgen Headland SLSC)
• Kaimana Fittock (Bulli SLSC)
• Kirsten Miller (Umina Beach SLSC)
• Lachlan Braddish (Umina Beach SLSC)
• Lachlan McLeod (Umina Beach SLSC)
• Zach Morris (Manly LSC)
• Zachary Roja (North Cronulla SLSC)
• Zara Sharman (Bulli)
Under 17:
• Anthea Warne (Cudgen Headland SLSC)
• Chris King (Elouera SLSC)
• Emily Eaves (Wanda SLSC)
• Finn Flaherty (Avoca Beach SLSC)
• Hamish Donkin (North Bondi SLSC)
• Harry Armstrong (Avoca Beach SLSC) • Jake Evans (Elouera SLSC)
• James Finn (Newport SLSC)
• Jami Prowse (North Curl Curl SLSC)
• Jaz Rodwell (Umina Beach SLSC)
Under 19:
• Beau Jeffries (Avoca Beach SLSC)
• Caitlin Callahan (Byron Bay SLSC)
• Jackson Borg (Newport SLSC)
• Jy Timperley (Byron Bay SLSC)
• Lachlan O'Reilly (Coffs Harbour SLSC)
• Tayla Tullett (Newport)
Open:
• Lachlan Galea-Stacker (Elouera SLSC)
• Madison Spencer (Newport SLSC)
• Nathan Neale (Elouera SLSC)
Tuesday 15 November 2016