WRAS is once again set to ‘RACE’ around the region with the Regional Athlete and Coach Education program. RACE lectures will provide an overview of some of the latest strategies to enhance athletic performance and will be presented in towns throughout the western region. This year’s RACE will consist of four 20 minute lectures on Recovery, Acute Injury Management, Speed and Power and Self Massage. These lectures are a fantastic opportunity for local people involved with sport as an athlete, coach, parent, teacher, student or enthusiast to brush up on current developments in the world of sports science. Lectures will be presented in Bathurst, Blayney, Condobolin, Cowra, Dubbo, Forbes, Gilgandra, Grenfell, Lithgow, Molong, Mudgee, Narromine, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Wellington, West Wyalong and Young. Attendees will leave with the skills to implement these easy, innovative ideas into regular training sessions and work towards athletic improvements where it counts most – on the field, court or pitch. This year’s RACE lectures have been created and will be presented in towns throughout the region by CSU’s Dr Stephen Bird, experienced Masseur and athletics coach Paul Unsworth and WRAS Strength and Conditioning Interns Nathan Carroll and Ashleigh Dunleavy. Dr Stephen Bird. Dr Bird is a lecturer specialising in Exercise Rehabilitation in the School of Human Movement Studies, Charles Sturt University. Dr. Bird was recipient of the 2005 National Strength & Conditioning Association Graduate Research Award in the USA and currently consults for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League competition, Jakarta International School, the Indonesian Olympic team and is the head of Strength and Conditioning at WRAS. Nathan Carroll. Nathan is in his final year of a Human Movement, Exercise Rehabilitation degree at Charles Sturt University and is one of two Strength and Conditioning Interns selected to work with WRAS athletes in 2008. He also has experience working as a research assistant on sports science research projects and as a Strength and Conditioning coach for junior elite Rugby League players. Ashleigh Dunleavy. Ashleigh is in her final year of a Human Movement, Exercise Rehabilitation degree at Charles Sturt University and is one of two Strength and Conditioning Interns selected to work with WRAS athletes in 2008. She has extensive experience working with junior pre elite athletes and has further professional practice experience in rehabilitation. Paul Unsworth. Paul is a level 5 Athletics coach and accredited in a number of different massage techniques. He has his own massage therapy business which includes high profile clients such as V8 race car driver Mark Skaife. Paul is a regular consultant in massage and running techniques for WRAS athletes and coaches. WRAS Executive Officer Nancy Haslop believes the lectures are a great opportunity for anyone with an interest in sport as an athlete, coach, parent, teacher, student or even an enthusiast to get up to date with the latest trends in the industry. ‘This is the seventh year the Academy has run the RACE lectures and we are very proud to be able to deliver useful, specialist information to the sporting community. The caliber of this year’s presenters is outstanding and I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity and come along.’All WRAS athletes and squad staff will attend the RACE lectures which are an important component of their WRAS program. Members of the community are encouraged to attend the lectures which the Academy provides free of charge, as a service to the sporting community. For more information contact the WRAS office on 6338 4821 or visit the website at www.wras.org.au END