A PILOT Limestone Coast Elite Sporting Academy will be established to catapult talented athletes to the top level of competition.
Considered one of the most exciting developments in the regional sporting fraternity for many years, it is hoped the fledgling project will lead to
the creation of an ongoing academy.
The pilot will be launched today at a regional meeting of council officials who will be briefed on the emerging project.
The region’s pool of talented athletes in the fields of soccer, hockey, tennis, AFL, basketball and athletics has been described as “amazing”.
The institute – spearheaded by the Limestone Coast Local Government Association – aims to help athletes crack into elite teams or make it to the pinnacle of their sport.
Association executive officer Dominic Testoni said regional councils and the Office of Sport and Recreation have funded the regional pilot for 12 months.
“The objective of the program will assist in closing the gap between what is offered and available to metropolitan-based athletes compared with regional athletes,” Mr Testoni said yesterday.
Revealing numbers were restricted to 12 during the pilot stage, he revealed 30 young athletes had already shown interest in registering for the academy.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for athletes to be part of something that will provide them with elite training whilst being able to stay in their home towns, training in local gyms,” Mr Testoni said.
“For coaches it is a chance to help an athlete to take the big step to elite sport as well as having access to the next level of coaching techniques.”
While local government was the catalyst to getting the initiative up and running, Mr Testoni said the regional sporting community would have to back the project to make it sustainable.
“The Limestone Coast Local Government Association is committed to developing a long-term regional sporting academy in the Limestone Coast at the completion of this pilot program,” he said.
Regional Starclub field officer Tony Elletson said the initiative was exciting given the “amazing” pool of athletes in the region.
“We have a lot of talented kids here, more than what really anybody knows and more than what Adelaide knows,” Mr Elletson said.
“We need to foster these athletes and give them better support.”
While some sports had a clear pathway, he said other sports did not and budding athletes often missed out on opportunities.
“They are missing out on access to training programs because they have to travel four hours to be involved,” Mr Elletson said.
He said many young athletes were also missing out on opportunities because they were behind in their body strengthening and conditioning.
The Limestone Coast program will offer up to 12 places to regional athletes, aged between 13 to 18 years of age, who are identified as having the potential to benefit from a free
12-month elite strength and conditioning and education program.
The pilot academy is also looking for coaches who would be interested in working with the athletes.
“For this pilot program we are looking for athletes from any sport,” Mr Elletson said.
“Clubs, schools and associations can nominate someone who they think would benefit from the program.”
Applications close on Monday, August 21.
Contact Tony Elletson via email at starclubse@lclga.sa.gov.au or on 0400 262 738 for an application form.
The form can also be downloaded from the Limestone Coast Local Government Association website.
