The National U15 Camp was held at the Australian Institute of Sport from the 5th - 8th October 2018.
A total of 95 athletes were chosen to attend based on a national qualification standard with the top 3 boys and 3 girls in each event.
Day 1
The athletes and athlete managers arrived at the camp at various times and enjoyed an afternoon familirsing themselves with the AIS residences and facilities.
This was the first night athletes had the opportunity to dine at the AIS dining hall meeting some of the elite athletes who live at the AIS as well as socialise with some of the athletes from other states.
Day 2
It was an early morning start for some who arent used to getting up so early for breakfast. The first training/coaching sessions were held in the morning with athletes meeting their coaches for the first time. Over the next two hours the athletes learnt from some of Australia's best honing in on their techniques and learning new aspects of training.
That afternoon athletes will involved two workshops (athletes rotated four workshops over two days) -
Strength and conditioning - The workshop run by Peter Lawler and Ian Hatfield showed athletes how to use their own body weight to train without the need for any equipment.
Recovery and Self Massage - Alex Beck (elite 400m runner and Physiotherapist) took the athletes through various options of recovery and self massage that can be done after training and at home.
Stretching - Naomi Nye took the athletes through various stretching movements and educated them on the type of stretching they should be doing during training and competition.
Recovery (Hot and Cold Pools) - Glynis Nunn Cearns educated the athletes on various recovery techniques and took them through a hot and cold pool recovery session in the AIS recovery centre.
After a big day of activity the athletes enjoyed some free time before dinner to socialise with athletes from other states.
That night athletes had the opportunity to hear from two of Australia's top athletes Cedric Dubler and Mitchell Cooper who talked about their time in Little Athletics to where they are now, including the highs and lows of being an elite athlete.
Day 3
Today was a duplicate of day 1, although there were a few more sore bodies today after the previous days activities.
Athletes enjoyed their training sessions in the morning, with many being pushed harder than the day before. Great to see so many PB's come out of the second day!
Workshops were again held in the afternoon rotating to the two workshops they hadnt done the previous day.
Saturday night we were very lucky to hear Hamish McDonald's journey as a Paralympic athlete.
Day 4
Sad that the last day of camp had come, this morning athletes had to be packed and ready to check out. The last of the workshops were held the first being by Glynis Nunn on her journey to Olympic gold and the highs and lows of getting there.
We also heard from a member of Canberra's police force on the do's and dont's of social media and the best way to use it and stay safe.
It was then farewell to all the athletes and athlete managers.
We would like to say thank you to all the athletes who attended and the athlete managers for taking time away from their families and jobs to attend.
Thank you the amazing coaches who came along to coach our athletes especially to Glynis Nunn for organising.
Coles Little Athletics Australia acknowledges and pays respect to all traditional custodians of the lands of which we work, run, jump and throw throughout Australia. We pay respect to elders both past, present and emerging.
We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to honor their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country and recognize the role and value of culture.
