The Western Region Academy of Sport is on the look out for that ‘undiscovered’ talent to ‘try a 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 specific sports such as triathlon. If you are exceptionally fit, an outstanding swimmer, a confident strong runner, in school years 7-10 and have never competed in a triathlon then the academy wants you! The Academy is offering people that meet this criterion an opportunity to attend a 3 day training camp and a possible 2009 Talent Identification (TID) Scholarship which could be the first step on the way to state and national representation. WRAS Triathlon head coach Nick Kastelein Sr said “The program is a great opportunity for regional athletes to fast track their progress in a sport they have never thought about participating in. Triathlon is such an exciting sport, but people don’t often think about trying it and this is their chance”. WRAS has already had great success in triathlon including Bathurst triathlete Nick North, who was identified by WRAS in 2005. After 3 years Nick has already risen to the top ranks of triathlon. He recently attended the Australian development camp with the National Junior Squad and continues to show great promise. WRAS is excited about the prospect of finding and helping western region athletes achieve things that they have never even thought possible. END