‘From playfield to podium’- positive signs at Athletics Academy

Head coach for the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Academy, Cornell Rose, said he is impressed with the natural ability of those who attended the AAG’s Academy meet on Sunday at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary.

The meet catered to athletes ages 6-12, intending to steer them in the right direction, and according to Rose, the Academy is about creating a baseline to success as they move talents “from the playfield to the podium.”

“We need to keep them within…the academy is about developing the talents. We are not looking at how fast they can run but how correct they can run or throw,” the seasoned coach explained.

Rose hopes this group can develop talents to represent Guyana in ‘non-traditional’ events such as pole vault, steeplechase, hurdles, heptathlon and decathlon.

“We are supporting them to be rounded; we are not specialising early as they must have a base,” the Coach related.

During the Academy, the athletes were required to compete in all of the events before an assessment was done on their skill level.

Athletics is one of the 12 core sports identified to benefit from the National Sports Academy Programme.

Meanwhile, the AAG reminded athletes that February 17 and 18 at the National Track and Field Facility, West Coast Demerara, will be the last trials to select the country’s team for the CARIFTA Games, which are set for March 30 to April 1 in Grenada.

Thus far, Tianna Springer (400m and 200m), Athaleya Hinckson (100m), Duel Europe (Long Jump), Attoya Harvey (1500m and 800m), Kaidon Persaud (400m and 800m), Javon Roberts (800m), Ezekiel Newton (100m and 200m), Charissa December (High Jump), Ryan Joseph (High Jump) and Jaheel Cornette (200m) have qualified.