By Michelle Moore
Long jumper Zane Branco, 17, along with coaches Mick Hooper and Bec Brice, have been selected to participate in the Athletics Australia Under 19 Talent Squad for 2017.
Originally introduced in 2007, athletes selected to join the program are recognised as having the potential to become senior international athletes.
Athletes and their coaches travel to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra twice a year to work with some of Australia’s best coaches, building the athletes’ understanding of the behaviours and commitment required to be an elite athlete.
Athletes receive training and education sessions in several different areas including psychology, injury management, nutrition, high performance life skills, ASADA education, strength, conditioning and recovery.
For Zane, who has been a member of Noosa Athletics for the last five years, selection on the squad has come at the right time.
“It’s great to be given this opportunity and I believe it’s an important stepping stone on my journey to qualify for the 2018 World Under 20 Championships to be held in Tampere, Finland next July,” Zane said.
Throughout the program, the athletes’ own coaches work one on one with National Junior Coaches to assist them with the planning and development of their athletes.
For Noosa’s specialist jumps coach Bec Brice, the opportunity to work with National Junior Coach and former Olympic long jumper Nicole Boegman-Stewart, and the likes of Olympic coach Gary Bourne, is priceless.
“Both Gary and Nicole are focused on sharing their knowledge and experience so there is a real sense of collaboration that benefits everyone involved,” remarked Bec.
“Additionally, their expertise on the technical aspects of jumping are second to none and it is exciting to bring this knowledge back to our club.”
Noosa Athletics is the senior branch of Little Athletics Noosa and is open to athletes from ages 13 through to Masters.
