Oceania Athletics Association (OAA) and the Oceania Athletics Coaches Association (OACA) have recently completed a very successful phase of an initiative to further develop athletes in the throws disciplines of athletics.
An application to OSFO for a Regional Activity Grant was successful, and meant that the vision we had of ‘launching in to the Pacific’ would become a reality.
As an Area Association of World Athletics, OAA is tasked with education of our coaches, and saw this project as an opportunity to have coaches work alongside of their athletes, with all being further educated in all throws disciplines. It is a departure from the traditional sense of coach education courses, but not only does this assist development of current Pacific coaches, but also provides our athletes – who are potential future coaches – with an invaluable development opportunity.
The project commenced with delivery of the new World Athletics CECS2 Throws course ,in the capable hands of highly respected throws coach and lecturer, Mr Brett Green (AUS). Assisting Brett was long term lecturer and coach, Mr Albert Miller (FIJ), and champion athlete, Dame Valerie Adams (NZL).
Coaches and athletes from nine Federations participated in the course and a pre-departure training camp for the Oceania Cup in Saipan. The course was conducted at Somerset College on Australia’s Gold Coast, with practical and theory sessions held over the six-day program. It was an opportunity to showcase our sport to the school community and some of their students were invited to a small group session with Dame Valerie Adams, where they were able to chat with her and then participate in a training session.
Immediately following the course, athletes and coaches boarded a plane to travel to Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. This provided continuous mentoring as all were travelling with the course lecturers. Once in Saipan, the education continued with high performance education sessions including nutrition, recovery and competition preparation, alongside practical training sessions.
Athletes from all other event disciplines were invited to the high performance education sessions as well, to ensure that all athletes and coaches were given an amazing development opportunity.
