The Western Region Academy of Sport is on the look for that ‘undiscovered’ talent to participate in the 2009 Talent Search Program for basketball, netball and triathlon.
The Academy offers athlete’s quality sports development programs to help them reach higher levels in their sport. WRAS athletes are provided with excellent opportunities including elite coaching, fitness testing, strength and conditioning, athlete education and individual program monitoring. Over the last few years, the Academy has conducted a broad Talent Search Program through schools in the Western Region in conjunction with the Australian Sports Commission. The focus of this years WRAS talent identification program is on discovering athletes suited to the specific sports of basketball, netball and triathlon.
WRAS have identified sport specific attributes necessary for performance in basketball, netball and triathlon. For basketball and netball the suitable requirements include exceptional height, head and shoulders above friends, with an interest in these sports. Exceptional fitness and ability in swimming and running is required for triathlon. If this sounds like you and you are in years 7-9 at school, then the Western Region Academy of Sport wants to hear from you!
The 2009 Western Region Academy of Sport Talent Search process will involve the submission of expression of interest forms, available on the WRAS website. Identified athletes will then be contacted to arrange specific exercise testing conducted by the experienced exercise science team from WRAS. Once testing data has been collected selected athletes will be invited to attend the 2009 WRAS Rookie Camp in the July school holidays. Athletes attending these professionally run camps will be eligible for selection and scholarships in the 2009/10 WRAS program where focus will be on athlete development aimed toward state and national representation.
WRAS executive Nancy Haslop has said that “athletes identified through previous talent search programs run by the experienced WRAS team have had some exceptional results. These include the success with triathlete Nick North who was identified through a WRAS Talent Search Program in 2005. Since his discovery and WRAS selection Nick has risen to the top of the ranks in triathlon. He has attended the Australian development camp with the National Junior Squad and continues to show great promise”.
Western Region Academy of Sport is excited about the prospect of finding and helping western region athletes achieve things that they have never even thought possible. For more information visit the WRAS website at talentid@wras.org.au or alternatively call the WRAS office on 6338 4821 however the expression of interest forms must be completed and returned before 17 April.
