OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT
ISSUE No. 69 SPRING 2005
WORLD
CHAMPION
WOMEN
GOING FOR GOLD
COMMONWEALTH GAMES HOPEFULS
World Champion Women
CONTENTS
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6
9
10
12
Sports Shorts
VIS Golden Girls
Going for Gold – Commonwealth Games hopefuls
Profile: Denise Jennings
New Faces
FRONT COVER © Andrew Tauber L-R Katie Mactier (cycling), Pauline Frasca (rowing), Elizabeth Patrick (rowing), Fleur Chew (rowing),
Giaan Rooney (swimming) and Melanie Jones (cricket) – Women World Champions
ATHLETES - BE READY!
It all sounds simple and straightforward. Our athletes
will only be competing against Commonwealth
countries in Melbourne in March next year. They will
have a strong support base – families, friends and a
rapturous home crowd. It should be easy to scoop up
a medal or two. Wrong!
Some very good athletes will be here from
countries which have followed our lead and
established strong athlete development programs.
These athletes will be well prepared and ready to
show their hand. Winning was never meant to be
easy and it certainly won’t be the case at the 2006
Commonwealth Games.
Our athletes will need to have everything in place
in terms of their physical and mental preparation
if they are going to produce peak performances.
This means managing their training and competition
programs and ensuring that their minds are free
from distractions.
At the top of the list is avoiding acute and chronic
injuries and illness. These often result from overtraining and a prolonged competition phase.
Athletes need to make sure that rest, recovery and
recuperation are foremost in their minds as they
taper their training and freshen up for the Games. The
formula for doing this is a very individual matter and
needs to be carefully determined in conjunction with
their coach and physical preparation specialist.
Now is not the time for improving fitness. It is about
sharpening technical skills and decision making and
focussing the mind on the task ahead. Both body and
mind need to be ready to go.
Athletes shouldn’t come to the Games with their
minds elsewhere. Opponents prey on this. They need
to put the distractions of work, studies and social
life in the background for a couple of weeks and
concentrate on the job at hand – producing a best
ever performance. This can often be more difficult
when competing at home than it is overseas.
Family, friends, sponsors and the media must
all understand that the success of an athlete will
bring everyone great joy and positive benefits.
Any home ground advantage should not become a
disadvantage as a result of any distracting demands
placed on our athletes.
Now is the time to start tidying up any frayed edges,
apply the polish and make sure that our sporting stars
are ready to shine in Melbourne.
Frank Pyke | Executive Director
COMMUNITY EVENTS
UNITE VICTORIANS IN
LEAD UP TO GAMES
It is now just four months to the Melbourne 2006
Commonwealth Games, the biggest event to ever be
staged in Victoria.
Preparations and excitement levels are reaching fever
pitch. Athletes are in intensive training, redevelopment
of key facilities such as the MCG, the Athletes’ Village
and the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC)
are nearing completion, and our whole community is
becoming involved in the many opportunities
presented by the Games.
In March 2006 Victoria will host 4500 athletes, 1500
officials, 15,000 volunteers, 71 nations, 16 sports, an
estimated 90,000 tourists and over one million
spectators. This will be the same as having the Grand
Final, the Grand Prix and the Spring Racing Carnival
happening at the same time, every day, for almost
two weeks! And, more than one billion people will
tune in worldwide to watch many of the world’s best
athletes on show in our magnificent city.
Thousands of volunteers across our State are making
tremendous contributions, from supporting our
environment to local council programs. Specialist
sports volunteers will be giving their time and skills to
30 Commonwealth countries which are in need of
training and expertise to develop their sporting
infrastructure. If you have an interest and skills to
match the programs needs, you can discover more at
www.australianvolunteers.com.
Undoubtedly, the Games are about more than sport.
Remarkable exchanges of culture are occurring
through the popular Adopt a Second Team program,
as Ballarat embraces Bollywood through its ‘adoption’
of India. In Wodonga, the locals are learning Jamaican
dance and Mildura is celebrating Tongan culture.
On 20 November, all Victorians will be able to take
part in a state-wide day of community participation,
‘Warming Up for the Games Day’. With an emphasis
on active participation, there will be a great range of
activities to enjoy, from come and try events and
walkathons, to fun runs and cycling. Don’t miss out!
Check details with your local council or at www.
goforyourlife.vic.gov.au.
One of the most exciting developments in recent
months has been our launch of Festival Melbourne
2006, the cultural festival of the Commonwealth
Games. Melbourne will present the biggest free
cultural festival ever staged in Australia, during next
year’s Games. It will bring 2000 performers to Victoria
in a stunning cultural showcase in Melbourne and the
key regional centres of Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and
the La Trobe Valley.
In a festival of performing arts, exhibitions and a youth
program, there will be spectacular displays of circus,
street theatre, dance, music and exhibitions for all, as
well as dedicated youth activities. The main sites for
activities will be Federation Square, Alexandra
Gardens, Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Museum, the
Arts Centre, National Gallery of Victoria and
Docklands. Special ‘live sites’ will have Games action
broadcast on giant screens, at key locations in
Melbourne and regional centres.
Melbourne will truly be on show to the world in March
2006. The Games are almost here – and there’ll be
something for everyone!
Justin Madden MLC | Minister for Sport, Recreation
Minister for the Commonwealth Games
THERE’S AN ATHLETE
IN MY SCHOOL!
Earlier this year the VIS announced a major corporate
sponsorship with Connex, an exciting agreement that
will see Connex and the VIS work together over the next
three years in the lead up to the Commonwealth and
Olympic Games.
Connex provides support for Victoria’s best athletes in
their preparation for competition and in turn, VIS athletes
participate in an Ambassador Program to help highlight
vital train safety issues to secondary school students.
The Richmond Football Club is also a strong supporter
of the important message of health, fitness and safe
train travel through its involvement in a sister program
aimed at primary school children, aptly named ‘Connex
Tigers in Schools.’
Similar to the program run with the Richmond Football
Club, VIS athletes deliver train safety messages to
secondary school students, in a fun format that helps
them understand the risks involved in behaving
dangerously around trains and railway stations. The
program covers issues such as the importance of using
pedestrian crossings safely, and looks at the dangers of
playing or ‘hanging out’ near train lines.
The VIS and Connex Ambassador Program aims to
target over 60 secondary colleges each year, with
athletes drawing on their own life experiences to
discuss decision making, health, self esteem, physical
activity and positive relationships.
Connex says twenty per cent of its train travellers are
aged between five and 18. The partnerships with the
VIS and Richmond Football Club provide an excellent
opportunity to deliver important messages to all
students within this age group… and possibly beyond.
Students who have a visit from an athlete through the
VIS Ambassador Program, or participate in Connex
Tigers in Schools, may also remind their mums, dads,
brothers, sisters and friends about the importance of
crossing the tracks at designated crossings, not running
on the platform and not holding the train door.
Bruce Hughes | CEO, Connex Melbourne Pty Ltd
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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE
VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT
GOLF COACH
VIS Golf Head Coach, Denis McDade, travelled to the
Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) in California where
he worked and trained with co-founders Dr Greg Rose
and Dave Phillips. Set up in much the same way as the
VIS golf program, TPI is one of the most technologically
advanced golf evaluation facilities in the world, focusing
on swing efficiencies, conditioning, and custom
equipment fitting for Titleist tour professionals and
a small number of corporate clients.
McDade is one of 12 TPI advisory board members
who have been working together with Rose and
Phillips to create the new TPI website. Due to go live
on 30 November, the site is aimed at providing PGA
members, medical professionals and physical
therapists with information that will help keep golfers
fit to play golf for longer. The cornerstone of the new
website is the on-line physical screening that golfers
of any age or ability level can undertake, which upon
completion generates a golf specific conditioning
program that takes into account the assessed specific
needs of that individual.
During his visit, McDade had the opportunity to assist
in screening several players from the US nationwide
tour, including Jeff Klauk, Camilo Villegas, Trevor Dodds,
Pat Bates and Australian, Matt Jones, as well as
assisting with a TPI experience day. McDade was also
able to view TPI’s new state of the art 3D biomechanics studio, which utilises 12 infra-red cameras
and Vicon technology.
In March 2006 McDade and fellow TPI advisory board
members will conduct a world golf fitness summit
in Florida. The summit is aimed at PGA members,
physical therapists and conditioning coaches and will
guide attendees through TPI screening and conditioning
programs. Attendees will gain a practical understanding
of how to screen and prescribe corrective conditioning
programs, and be able to better relate to their clients
the link between their physiological profile and
swing errors.
McDade is the only PGA member on the TPI advisory
board. The ongoing opportunity to share and discuss
ideas with fellow board members and have access to
the facilities at TPI is an invaluable one, and has already
seen a number of training protocols incorporated into
the VIS golf program that will benefit both current and
future scholarship holders.
VIS Golf Head Coach, Denis McDade (middle) with Dave Phillips and Dr. Greg
Rose at the Titleist Performance Institute
AS VIS LAUNCHES
PARTNERSHIP WITH MAS
Sirens. Helicopters. Ambulances. Swan Street traffic
came to a stop as the VIS announced its partnership
with the Metropolitan Ambulance Service (MAS) at
a launch on Tuesday 16 August. The launch was
attended by the Minister for Health, Bronwyn Pike,
MAS CEO, Greg Sassella, VIS and MAS sponsors
and partners, MAS paramedics and staff, and VIS
athletes and staff.
The partnership between the VIS and MAS will
see VIS athletes and staff receive support from
MAS and, in return, VIS athletes will help promote
the importance of ambulance membership to the
Victorian community through TV and print
advertisements and billboards featuring track
and field athlete, Tamsyn Lewis, and swimmers,
Giaan Rooney, Brett Hawke and Andrew Lauterstein
highlighting that “even elite athletes need
ambulance cover”.
The partnership will also involve VIS experts
working with paramedics to support personal and
professional development programs, as well as
health and wellbeing projects conducted by MAS.
Photos clockwise from top left:
L-R MAS CEO, Greg Sassella, Minister for Health, Bronwyn Pike and
VIS Executive Director, Frank Pyke at the launch
L-R MAS paramedic Caroline Richards, Minister for Health, Bronwyn
Pike and Brett Hawke (swimming) in the VIS gym during the launch
L-R Emily Rooke (triathlon), Richard Coleman (track & field) and Emma
Carney (triathlon) at the MAS launch
L-R Glenn Singleton (canoeing), Emma Carney (triathlon),
MAS CEO Greg Sassella, Minister for Health, Bronwyn Pike,
VIS Executive Director, Frank Pyke, Brett Hawke (swimming) and Janne
Errington-Smith (wheelchair basketball)
L-R VIS canoeist, Glenn Singleton, is winched out of a MAS helicopter to
launch the VIS and MAS partnership
SPORTS SHORTS
TOURKY AND
NEWBERY
TAKE SILVER
IN 10M
SYNCHRO
PHOTO: Kelly Barnes @ Netball Victoria
PHOTO: Kelly Barnes @ Netball Victoria
PHOENIX
Loudy Tourky and Chantelle Newbery won silver in
the 10m synchronised diving event at the FINA World
Championships in Montreal. Loudy Tourky also won
silver in the individual 10m springboard event.
FORMER VIS BASEBALL
PLAYER HITS
THE MAJOR LEAGUE
Former VIS baseball scholarship holder, Justin Huber,
was called up to play in the Kansas City Royals Major
League Club in July. Graduating from the VIS baseball
program in 2000, Huber was initially signed by the
New York Mets, but was traded to the Kansas City
Royals in 2004. Huber was given the call up after the
teams regular first baseman was injured in a collision,
and used the opportunity to great advantage, driving
in his first US Major League run for the Kansas City
Royals with his first career hit in fifth at bat.
Huber is the second VIS baseballer to make the
US Major League.
Justin Huber relaxes in the VIS gym after making the
Baseball Major League
Melbourne Phoenix won its fifth Commonwealth
Bank Trophy (CBT) premiership title at Vodafone Arena
in September defeating Sydney Swifts 61 – 44 in the
grand final. Sharelle McMahon and Eloise SouthbyHalbish set up the win in the third quarter with 100%
shooting accuracy. They were supported by Ingrid
Dick, Wendy Jacobsen and Natasha Chokljat who all
had great games in the mid-court and Bianca
Chatfield who had a solid game in defence.
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
1. Melbourne Phoenix players wave to the crowd after winning the CBT grand
final
2. Melbourne Phoenix players gather around the trophy
3. Melbourne Phoenix co-captain, Eloise Southby-Halbish, embraces her
team-mates after their win
PHOTO: Kelly Barnes @ Netball Victoria
As a reward for their outstanding season, Phoenix has
six of its players in the Australian squad for the 2006
Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, including
Sharelle McMahon, who was named vice captain,
Bianca Chatfield, Natasha Chokljat, Wendy Jacobsen,
Julie Prendergast and Eloise Southby-Halbish.
Johanna Curran is in the emerging talent squad,
which means she will train with the senior squad and
have a chance of pushing into the Commonwealth
Games team. Melbourne Kestrels, who finished the
CBT season in fourth place, have two players in the
Australian squad, including captain, Cynna Neele and
Rebecca Strachan.
AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S
SOFTBALL TEAM WINS
CANADA CUP
VIS athletes Kate Quigley and Natalie Titcume were
members of the Australian women’s softball team,
“The Spirit”, which defeated USA Elite 3-0 to win the
2005 Canada Cup in July.
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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE
VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT
VIC METRO AGAIN
WINS AFL U18
CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Victorian Metropolitan (Vic Metro) football team continued Victoria’s dominance, winning this year’s NAB
AFL U18 National Championships in June.
Victorian teams have now won nine of the 10 U18 Championships since the introduction of the current U18 and
U16 Championship format.
The Metro team’s victory, its seventh (Victoria Country has won two titles), in the 10 year period was perhaps its
most creditable given its underdog status and player injury and illness problems leading into the Championships.
MOTTRAM
CLAIMS BRONZE
AT WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Craig Mottram claimed Australia’s only medal at the
IAAF World Championships in Helsinki, Finland in
August, winning bronze in the men’s 5000m and
becoming the first non-African runner to win a
medal in this event since 1987. Mottram finished the
race strongly to cross the line in a time of 13:32.96
and earned himself provisional selection for the
2006 Commonwealth Games squad.
Coached by David Dickson for the ninth year, Vic Metro recorded victories in all three Championship matches.
The team beat pre-championship favourites, Western Australia, in game one before beating arch-rivals, Victoria
Country, in game two after being well beaten in the first half of the match. The team then had a big win over
South Australia in game three, after kicking seven goals to nil in the first quarter.
Vic Metro captain, Marc Murphy, was named All Australian and won the Lake Medal as the player of the
Championships. Murphy’s Oakleigh team-mate, Beau Dowler, Dandenong mid-fielder Nathan Jones, and full
forward, Ben McKinley, from the Northern Knights were the other Vic Metro players to gain All Australian
selection. David Dickson was named the All Australian coach.
SWIMMERS WIN
EIGHT MEDALS
AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
VIS swimmers performed well at the FINA World
Swimming Championships in Montreal in July,
winning eight medals. A record 12 VIS swimmers
competed at the event, with Giaan Rooney (50m
backstroke), Danni Miatke (50m butterfly) Shayne
Reese (4x100m freestyle relay) winning gold medals.
Seventeen-year-old Miatke posted a Commonwealth
Record in her first meet with the Australian team.
Reese added a silver medal to her gold in the 4x200m
freestyle relay, while Matt Welsh won silver in the
50m backstroke. Patrick Murphy and Michael Klim
collected bronze in the 4x100m freestyle relay.
Brooke Hanson also won bronze in the
50m breaststroke.
Shayne Reese (far right) with members of the gold medal winning
4x100m freestyle relay team at the World Championships in Montreal
SPIRANOVIC
WINS
PRESTIGIOUS
SOCCER MEDAL
Matthew Spiranovic continued the VIS tradition by
winning the prestigious Weinstein Medal at the
Football Federation Victoria (FFV) Gold Medal evening
in September. The medal, awarded to the state’s top
junior football (soccer) player, has been won by VIS
athletes every year since 1992.
Matthew Spiranovic receives his medal from Tony Dunkerley, FFV
Commissioner for Youth Development
VIS
During a 12 month period following the 1996 Atlanta
Olympic Games, eight female VIS scholarship holders
became world champions in six different sports.
The list is impressive.
It included Catherine Freeman who became the
first Australian woman to win a world track and field
championship when she won the 400m in Greece.
Melissa Cunningham achieved back-to-back world
titles in open water swimming in Switzerland. Squash
champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald won the individual world
title in Malaysia and then paired with Carol Owens
to win the teams title. Kirstie Marshall became
Australia’s first aerial skiing champion in Japan.
Sarah Blanck won the Laser radial class world sailing
championship in Morocco. Finally, Justine Joyce and
Eliza Blair set a world record in winning the
lightweight coxless pair event at the world rowing
championships in France.
Eight years later during a similar 12 month period
following the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, several
female VIS athletes have again become world
champions. This time, however, there were more
women (13) in fewer sports (4).
The silver medallist in track pursuit cycling in Athens,
Katie Mactier, went one step further in March and
won world championship gold in Los Angeles.
Three cricketers, captain Belinda Clark, Cathryn
Fitzpatrick and Melanie Jones, were members of
the Australian team which won the World Cup in
South Africa in April.
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
Swimmers Giaan Rooney and Danni Miatke won the
50m backstroke and butterfly events respectively at
the World Championships in Montreal in July, while
Shayne Reese was a member of the 4x100m
freestyle relay team.
2. The women’s eight rowing crew, with six VIS members, after
winning the World Championship in Japan
(photo courtesy of James Worrell at Rowing
Photography Australia)
Following this, the Australian women’s eight-oared
crew won the World Championship in Japan in
September. The crew contained six VIS rowers:
Fleur Chew, Pauline Frasca, Sarah Heard, Emily
Martin, Elizabeth Patrick and Robyn Selby Smith.
Three of these women (Frasca, Martin and Selby
Smith) were also members of the winning crew
in the coxless four.
These achievements exemplify the prominent role
that women athletes continue to play in Australia’s
success in international sport.
1. The Australian Women’s Cricket team, with VIS athletes Belinda
Clark, Cathryn Fitzpatrick and Melanie Jones, celebrate
winning the World Cup in South Africa
3. Danni Miatke after winning the 50m butterfly at the World
Championships in Montreal
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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE
VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT
While the VIS women have been carrying all before
them during the past 12 months, there have also been
some notable successes among the VIS men.
Marc Douez was cox of the winning men’s coxed pair,
comprising Sam Conrad and Hardy Cubash from the
Queensland Academy of Sport, at the World
Championships in Japan in August.
Sailor Rohan Veal won his world championship in the
Moth Class in Melbourne in January.
Kevin Murfitt and Jamie McDonald won their
respective events at the World Disabled Water Skiing
Championships in Belgium in September, Murfitt
gaining his fifth world title and McDonald his fourth.
Atlanta Paralympics gold medallist, Lachlan Jones,
won the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m
events at the World Championships for athletes with
cerebral palsy held in the USA in July. He broke world
records in the 100m and 800m.
PHOTO: Getty Images (photo courtesy of Cricket Australia
Congratulations to them all on becoming the
world’s best.
WORLD CHAMPION MEN
Above: Marc Douez (right) coxes the men’s coxed pair to a gold medal
win at the Rowing World Championships in Japan
(photo courtesy of James Worrell at Rowing Photography Australia)
Right: Kevin Murfi tt on his way to a fifth world title at the World
Disabled Water Skiing Championships in Belgium
ROWING
THEIR WAY
TO GOLD
The new-look Australian women’s eight rowing
crew beat Olympic champion Romania and the
Netherlands to win the world championship title in
a time of 5:58.10 in Gifu, Japan.
The crew boasts six VIS scholarship holders, including
Fleur Chew, Pauline Frasca, Sarah Heard, Emily
Martin, Robyn Selby Smith and Elizabeth Patrick as
Cox. Three of the crew, Martin, Frasca and Selby
Smith, then went on to win gold in the women’s
coxless four with Kate Horsey from Tasmania.
Regular users of the VIS gym facilities would no
doubt recognise the girls who devoted many hours to
their physical preparation training in the lead up to the
world championships. More often than not, they were
working up a sweat on the rowing machine or
completing a strenuous workout on the gym
equipment. They worked very hard to win the title,
which is just reward for their efforts.
Marc Douez also took gold at the world
championships by winning the men’s coxed pair.
Douez has worked tirelessly to position himself as
the number one male coxswain in the country and he
has his eyes firmly set on the 2008 Beijing Olympic
Games. This medal now gives Douez a complete set
of medals on the world stage.
(R-L) Robyn Selby Smith, Emily Martin and
Pauline Frasca row their way to gold in the women’s
four at the World Championships (photo courtesy of
James Worrell at Rowing Photography Australia)
In other results from the world championships, Tim
Smith recorded a solid fourth placing in the men’s
lightweight four while Karsten Forsterling, Christian
Ryan (men’s coxless pair) and David Crawshay (men’s
single scull) all finished in ninth place in their
respective events.
All in all, it was a great championships for the
VIS rowers.
Chris O’Brien | Head Coach Rowing
PHOTO: Justin Cooper Photography
LEFT TO RIGHT
1. VIS shooter, Kim Frazer
2. Kim Frazer in action for Australia at the Athens
Olympic Games
COMPETING AT THE
COMMONWEALTH GAMES –
WHAT TO PREPARE FOR
OUTSIDE THE EVENT
The demands after selection
Achieving selection is often a tough process, but once
selected there are a number of requirements placed
upon team members that absorb time and energy.
These include uniform measurements, team
agreements, medical and dental checks, providing
personal data, celebrations and media commitments.
Athletes need to find a way to manage the myriad of
requests for information and time that are placed
upon us, usually with little notice, without allowing
their training program to be unduly disrupted.
Emotions
Anyone who has ever competed at a Commonwealth
or Olympic Games and marched in the opening
ceremony can relate to the comment that one athlete
made when he described the ‘wall of noise’ that hits
the competitors as they enter the main stadium.
“The feeling that this ‘wall’ creates is truly
unforgettable. It was also my first real feeling of
‘Oh my god – I’m in the Commonwealth Games’,
and it created a level of excitement I hadn’t
experienced in any competition previously”.
Accommodation
The accommodation at a Games village is typically a
little cramped with athletes sleeping two or more to a
room, using shared bathrooms and common areas.
At the Athens Olympic Games, I was in a unit which
had 10 girls sharing five bedrooms and two
bathrooms. There is generally an increased level of
noise, not enough space to store your stuff, and you
might be rooming with someone you don’t know very
well or against whom you might have to compete.
Finding a way to create some space for yourself in
this type of environment is often a challenge, but
each athlete needs to create some personal time and
space for themselves. Sleeping can also be difficult in
this environment, especially for light sleepers, so
athletes are well advised to have a plan for what they
will do when they can’t sleep.
The food
Stories about the food quality at a big sporting event
are a mixture of fact and fiction.
At a typical Games, there is generally an array of
different cuisines and the quality ranges from pretty
good to pretty ordinary depending on the dish.
The variety changes on a rotating cycle but after so
many days of eating the same type of food in the
same venue, the body or mind is looking for a change.
The biggest challenge for an athlete can be managing
how much and what to eat as everything is free, open
24 hours a day and helpings are unlimited. Avoiding
too many desserts and ice-creams can be a real test
of willpower!
Media interest
Shooting has been one of the most successful sports
for Australia at the Commonwealth Games over the
past few years and, as a result, media interest has
been prominent.
As one of the last athletes to finish in my event at the
last Commonwealth Games in Manchester, the result
was immediately known and I had a microphone in
my face about 30 seconds after I finished shooting –
a bit different to regular competitions like the
Nationals. At the Athens Olympic Games, Annette
Woodward was constantly in the media spotlight
because she was the oldest female athlete in the
Australian team. This increased attention is rather
foreign to those of us who have competed at State
and National Championships with barely a mention
in the local newspapers, but athletes need to be
prepared for the media attention before, during and
after the Games.
Match pressure
When compared to a World Cup or other major
competition, the Commonwealth Games provides a
huge opportunity for the competing athletes to win a
‘major’ competition as fewer athletes are competing.
With shooting, the Games are also unique in that they
offer separate pairs and individual competitions giving
two chances for a medal. This increased chance of
success can create an increase in the pressure felt by
an athlete, which may have an adverse impact on
their performance. On countless occasions I have
seen athletes performing well in training and big
competitions, only to produce an ordinary
performance on the day which they often attribute
to the pressure of the occasion.
Event timing
Having competed successfully on both the first and
last days of competition at different Games, there are
definitely things to watch out for in both instances.
Competing early means you may have less time to
become accustomed to the range conditions and to
see the variety of conditions that might be present on
the range. Competing late can mean you’ve had
plenty of time to think about your match, and you’ve
also seen how everyone else has done. This might
increase or decrease your expectations and play a
part in how you approach the match. In particular,
competition on the final day can be difficult as
many others are already in ‘party mode’ and may
not consider that their noise is giving others
sleepless nights.
In conclusion, competing at the Commonwealth
Games is a great experience that has provided me
with many fabulous memories. Most of the situations
that I have described are likely to occur in Melbourne
and thinking about how you will respond is beneficial
to how your Commonwealth Games experience
might be.
Kim Frazer | VIS shooter
PHOTO: Kelly Barnes @ Netball Victoria
The 2006 Commonwealth Games will soon be upon
us, and while many of the athletes focus on their
training in the lead up to the Games, an important
factor that I’ve found in achieving success is the
environment around you during competition. Here are
some insights into some of the experiences and
issues that competitors might encounter at the
upcoming Commonwealth Games, based upon my
past experiences.
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GOING
FOR
GOLD
COMMONWEALTH GAMES HOPEFULS
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE
VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT
VIS athletes have competed with great success in
the last three Commonwealth Games, with more than
fifty of them becoming Games champions.
These include the Chairman of our Board,
Steve Moneghetti (1994), the face of Melbourne’s
2006 Games, Catherine Freeman (1994, 2002) and
several others who have gone on to become Olympic
champions including cyclist, Brett Lancaster (1998),
diver Chantelle Newbery (1998) and swimmers
Michael Klim and Daniel Kowalski (1998).
Also included in the list is five times world squash
champion, Sarah Fitz-Gerald (2002).
PHOTO: Gavin Blue Photography
Historically, the VIS has good reason to feel confident
about the chances of our current group of scholarship
holders who will be competing in 10 of the
12 individual sports and two of the four team sports.
However, no competition involving 4500 athletes from
71 different nations is meant to be easy and winning
a gold medal will be a significant achievement for any
of them.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Hockey Victoria
Our best medal chances in the individual sports are
in cycling, shooting and swimming. Track pursuiters,
Brett Lancaster and Katie Mactier and road riders
Cadel Evans and Baden Cooke have been successful
at the highest level of their sport. Lancaster was a
Commonwealth Games champion in 1998 and has
been a regular member of the pursuit team which
won in Athens and presently holds the world record
for the event. Mactier won silver in Athens and
then became world champion in Los Angeles earlier
this year.
Evans and Cooke are among the best road cyclists in
the world. Evans won the time trial in the Manchester
Games and finished second in the road race just
ahead of Cooke who went on to win the sprinters
green jersey in the prestigious 2003 Tour de France.
Swimmers Brooke Hanson, Michael Klim, Giaan
Rooney and Matt Welsh have been outstanding
performers in the Australian team for several years.
Newcomers Danni Miatke and Shayne Reese became
world champions for the first time recently in
Montreal and will join the rush for gold in Melbourne.
Several of the VIS athletes in the shooting squad are
reigning Commonwealth Games champions and
others have won world championships and Olympic
medals. In many cases such is the standard of our
shooting team that being selected in some events is
a bigger challenge than actually winning a medal at
the Games. The list is likely to include well known
shooters such as Russell and Lauryn Mark, Adam
Vella, Linda Ryan, Kim Frazer and Lalita Yauhleuskaya.
There are several individual athletes in other sports
who are world class and expected to do well. These
include distance runners Craig Mottram and Benita
Johnson, 400m hurdler Jana Pittman, gymnast
Monette Russo, divers Loudy Tourky, Chantelle
Newbery and Irina Lashko, weightlifter Sergo
Chakhoyan and squash player Cameron White.
Among our elite athletes with a disability (EAD) track
sprinter Tim Matthews and 800m wheelchair athlete
Eliza Stankovic have excellent chances of success as
do swimmers Daniel Bell, Alex Harris and Rod Welsh.
Several VIS representatives in the men’s and women’s
hockey teams should taste victory in their sport
and our netballers, eight of whom are in the national
squad, are likely to come up against a very
competitive New Zealand team in the final.
At the end of the day, Australia, with a home ground
advantage, should continue to lead the way in the
Commonwealth but as we have seen recently in
rugby, cricket, netball and track and field, our rivals are
rapidly closing the gap. Whatever the case we should
feel confident that VIS athletes will shine in front of
their families and friends in the city they call home.
Hopefully they will be as good as gold!
Frank Pyke | Executive Director
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP
Craig Mottram – track and field
Ngaire Smith – women’s hockey
Katie Mactier – cycling
Cameron White – squash
Sharelle McMahon – netball
Tim Matthews – Track and field
Matt Welsh – swimming
Russell Mark – shooting
Monette Russo – gymnastics
DENISE JENNINGS
RECIPE
PHOTO: Justin Cooper Photography
SUMMER
PUDDING
With Christmas fast approaching,
most of us are preparing to relax
and unwind with family and friends
over fine food and drinks and lots
of naughty treats.
From her days as a VIS scholarship holder to her
current role as VIS Physical Preparation Coordinator,
Denise Jennings has gained a wealth of knowledge
in the sports industry, which she is using to help
current VIS athletes to reach their full potential in their
chosen sport.
But the Christmas season needn’t be a no-go zone
when it comes to desserts. For a low-kilojoule, low-fat
treat that can be enjoyed during Christmas festivities
or throughout the summer, try the following recipe for
summer pudding:
Jennings played for the Victorian State Hockey team
from 1991-1995, while a VIS scholarship holder, and
still competes at the highest level, playing for the
Canberra Strikers in the national competition and the
MCC Hockey Club in the state competition, where
she has won two best and fairest awards as well
as all-star team selection.
Ingredients
Jennings began working as strength and conditioning
coach at the VIS in 1994. In 1995, she moved to the
AIS and worked as strength and conditioning coach
for six years, before heading back to the VIS in 2001.
Jennings says her favourite part of the job is the
variety of people she gets to work with, from
development athletes all the way to
Olympic champions.
“My biggest motivation is helping athletes achieve
their goals, whether they are trying to become a
world champion or recovering from injury”.
Jennings sees sport as an exciting and challenging
area to be involved in, whether as an athlete or
a coach.
“As an athlete, sport is a great outlet to express
your personality, be creative or even relieve stress,”
she said. “On the other hand, dealing with so many
different athletes and coaches provides
many challenges”.
Part of the challenging but rewarding experience for
Jennings as a physical preparation coach is the task
of helping injured athletes make a quick and
successful return to elite competition. Jennings’ skills,
experience, determination and hard work have been
instrumental in helping many athletes return to
competition, including champion skiers Alisa Camplin,
and most recently, Lydia Ierodiaconou.
Many of the VIS athletes sing their praises of
Jennings for the hard work that she puts in
preparing them.
VIS track and field athlete, Don Elgin, says
that Jennings is the best in the business.
10 slices of bread (remove crusts)
p
2 tablespoons of sugar
p
3 cups tinned berries or 5 cups fresh berries
(eg. raspberries, strawberries, blueberries,
blackberries)
p
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
Method
Along the way, Jennings has gained an abundance of
expertise in her field including an Honours Degree in
Applied Science, a Graduate Diploma in Sports
Coaching, a Level 3 Certificate in Strength and
Conditioning, a Level 2 Certificate in Hockey Coaching
and a Level 1 Certificate in Weightlifting Coaching.
In her current role as Physical Preparation Coordinator,
Jennings manages the physical preparation of
athletes and coordinates the delivery of training
services to them. This covers areas such as strength
training in the gym, rehabilitation, speed and agility,
and program planning and design.
p
“Dee feels your pain and is in it for the long haul,”
Elgin said. “She never says no when you need her
help. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the other side of
the world; she is always willing to help”.
“Her greatest asset is that she was an elite athlete
so she knows what it takes to be one – she knows
when to push and when not to push. I believe the
longevity of athletes can be attributed to her
balanced approach”.
p
Flatten bread slices with a rolling pin
p
Line the base and the sides of a 1 litre pudding
basin with 6-7 pieces of bread, fitting the bread
close together so that there are no gaps
p
Gently heat the sugar and lemon juice in a small
pan, stirring until the sugar dissolves
p
Add the berries to the small pan and stir gently for
2 minutes
p
Pour the berry mixture onto the bread mould in
the pudding basin
p
Top with the remaining bread and push bread into
the berry mixture so that it absorbs the juices
p
Cover the pudding basin with foil and place a small
weight (eg. a plate or saucer) on top
p
Place in the refrigerator for around 12 hours
To serve
Jennings and the rest of the physical preparation
team are playing a major role in the lead up to the
Commonwealth Games, by ensuring VIS athletes
are physically prepared to reach their peak
performance in March.
p
Cut the pudding into small pieces and serve with
low-fat custard, thick vanilla yoghurt or low-fat icecream
p
Serves 8
Tim Lele | Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations)
RMIT University
Lisa Sutherland | VIS Nutritionist
FROM TOP
1. VIS Physical Preparation Coordinator, Denise Jennings, watches over
athlete, Kim Crow, in the gym
2. Denise Jennings when she was a scholarship holder in women’s hockey
at the VIS
10_11
SPORTSPERSONS ON THE ROAD –
SCHOOL VISITS GO REGIONAL
Janne Errington-Smith visits students under the
Sportspersons in Schools Program
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE
VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT
The regional tours give VIS athletes a chance to visit
students in remote country areas to encourage them
to be involved in sport.
While the early morning starts and numerous hours
spent cruising up the highways over a number of days
can get a little tiring, the fatigue is quickly replaced
with the adrenaline rush you get the moment you
begin to absorb the vibe of anticipation surrounding
the school.
Visiting these regional schools is truly a unique
experience. Some of the schools that we visit are so
remote they are literally ‘pub towns’. You know the
kind of town I’m talking about – they have three pubs,
a general store, and a petrol station and, well, let’s
just say traffic lights are a very foreign concept!
These are the kind of towns where visitors rarely
stop (unless to fill up petrol), so you can imagine the
excitement level of the students when they are
expecting a visitor. The students don’t care about
how big or small your sporting profile is. They are just
so thrilled to have you visiting their school that the
adoration they have for you can be a little
overwhelming, not to mention humbling.
Janne Errington-Smith is a wheelchair basketball
scholarship holder at the VIS. She has been involved
in the VIS Ambassador Programs for a number of
years, visiting students across metropolitan and
regional Victoria to deliver messages about health and
sport. Here Janne gives us an insight into her
experiences of being involved in a regional visit under
the Department of Education and Training’s
Sportspersons In Schools Program (SPISP).
We’ve all experienced the cheers of the crowd as
we’ve taken to the field to compete, even if it was
just mum and dad cheering for you as a junior! But
these kinds of adoration pale in comparison to the
shriek of excitement from 60 primary school students
as you walk into their classroom. This is the kind of
welcome you can experience if you are fortunate
enough to be involved in one of the VIS’ regional tours
with the SPISP.
The SPISP has been running for over 10 years. VIS
athletes visit students at government schools across
metropolitan and regional Victoria to discuss their
sporting experiences, as well as other issues such as
health, nutrition, motivation, goal setting, leadership
and overcoming setbacks.
As you spend the next hour chatting with the
students, it’s fascinating to see how much they
take in. They listen to every word that you say and
bombard you with a million questions as they
endeavour to find out as much about you and your
sport as they can. The visits are very rewarding as you
know that you are really getting through to these
students and that your story might inspire them.
Unfortunately your time at the school always passes
too quickly and as much as you would love to stay and
spend more time with the students, you know that
there is another school only a few hours drive away
that is just as eagerly awaiting your arrival. So you tear
yourself away, jump into the car and head off down
the highway to your next school visit for another
great experience.
Government schools interested in being involved in
the SPISP should contact Charlotte Gray, Marketing
and Community Projects Coordinator at the VIS on
9425 0000 or [email protected].
YOU WANNA BE A WALLABY?
We may well have unearthed a future Wallaby at Olympic Park last month as part of a Melbourne 2006
Commonwealth Games Future Athletes clinic.
Twenty secondary school students from around Melbourne took part in the full day of testing, skills training and
theoretical sessions that took place in the VIS gymnasium at Olympic Park on Sunday 18 September. Mark
Rowe, the Senior State Team Manger, said that it was a great opportunity for the students to get involved and
was impressed with what he saw.
“I’m really impressed that the boys are here on a Sunday of their own accord. It’s really good for the kids,”
Rowe said.
Ben Whittaker, Australian Rugby Unions High Performance Elite Player Manager, was on hand along with Nathan
Holman and Lachlan Bains to provide feedback, direction and advice to the young hopefuls about their pathways
in sport and how to get the most out of themselves.
Staff from the VIS certainly put the boys through their paces with some grueling physical testing that
included top speed sprints over 5, 10, 20 and 40 metres, fitness beep tests, vertical jump and height and
weight measurements.
At the conclusion of the testing, Whittaker gave the boys some insight into the kinds of scores that the current
Australian players would get and how they have reached that level of fitness.
“These are the same tests that we do for the Wallabies but they have had a long time to get the run in
their legs,” Whittaker said. “Some of you may feel like you have a long way to go but you’ve got plenty of time
to do it”.
Alex Concannon from Hampton took part in the clinic and is already on his way to playing at the top level.
At just 17 years of age, Concannon will move to Canberra in February to take up a position with the
Tuggeranong Vikings.
“I only started playing when I was twelve,” Concannon said. “I stuck to it mainly because everyone said
I should stop!”.
Concannon said he was looking forward to watching the Rugby 7’s at next years Commonwealth Games
in Melbourne.
Alex Concannon undergoing some testing as part of the
Future Athletes Program Rugby Union clinic
“It will be my second Games. I went to Manchester and it was awesome.”
When asked if he would like to go on and one day play for Australia he coyly replied “not really,
I would actually like to go back to England and play for my home team of Lester!”
With any luck we’ll be able to keep talent like Concannon well and truly based here in Australia.
The Future Athletes Program is an initiative of the Victorian State Government. Clinics are being held in all
Commonwealth Games sports in the lead-up to March 2006. For more information on future clinic, including
more rugby sessions, go to www.vis.org.au or www.dvc.vic.gov.au/commonwealth_games.
There have been a number of new appointments to
the VIS coaching ranks over the last few months, so
we thought we’d help you add a face to a name by
introducing you to some of the new faces at the VIS.
FACES
1. Derek Boothroyd
State Performance Coordinator – Track and Field
3. Mehmet Durakovic
Assistant Coach – Men’s Soccer
Derek Boothroyd moved into the newly created role
of State Performance Coordinator for track and field
after spending five years in the VIS triathlon program.
Some of you might have seen Mehmet Durakovic
playing for Australia during the 1990’s when he
represented this country on 64 occasions, scoring
six goals and appearing in three World Cup qualifiers
in 1990, 1994 and 1998. Or you might have seen him
during one of his 272 appearances for the South
Melbourne Football Club, where he helped the team
win the 1989 and 1990 Australian Cup and the NSL
championships in 1991. And if you were in Malaysia
between 1995 and 1998, you would have seen
Durakovic when he captained FA Selangor in
146 appearances winning the Malaysia Cup
Championships and FA Cup Championships from
1995-1997, the Malaysia League Championships in
1995 and 1997 and the Charity Field Championships
in 1996 and 1997. Add to that his appearances for
Footscray J.U.S.T, Brunswick Juventus Football Club,
Sydney Olympic Football Club and Gippsland Falcons
Football Club and I think you can safely say that
Durakovic knows a lot about soccer.
Before this, Boothroyd worked as Executive Officer at
both Cycling Victoria from 1996-1998 and
Womensport and Recreation Victoria in 1999. He has
a Bachelor of Business (Sport Management) degree,
is a qualified level two triathlon coach and has
completed the Australian Ironman Triathlon, which
involves a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run,
five times.
Boothroyd sees his new role as State Performance
Coordinator for Track and Field as a wonderful
opportunity to contribute to athletics.
“Clearly, athletics is a sport that captures the
public’s imagination each Commonwealth and
Olympic Games,” he said. “The Athletics Australia
High Performance plan leading into the Beijing and
London Olympic Games and the establishment of
the national events centre of distance running at
the VIS will no doubt make significant inroads into
improving Australian international standings in
athletics”.
1.
“I look forward to working with our elite
track and field athletes and coaches as we
move forward”.
4. Jason Kumeroa
Softball Head Coach
2. Jonathan Hall
Triathlon Head Coach
2.
Jonathan Hall joined the VIS in August after spending
the last nine years living and training in Gernika, Spain,
and comes to the VIS with great credentials as both
an athlete and a coach.
Hall has 40 international victories competing in
cycling and duathlon and was a multiple national team
member in both sports from 1991-2005. He held a
cycling scholarship at the AIS from 1992-1994,
represented Australia at the 1994 Commonwealth
Games in Victoria, Canada and is a four-time Australian
Road Cycling Champion. He was also the World
Duathlon Champion in 1997.
3.
Hall worked as a consultant coach for Triathlon
Australia and a team coach at the Triathlon World
Championships in 2005. Currently studying for his
MBA at the University of New England in Armidale,
Hall says he is excited by the opportunity to be
involved with the development of young triathletes
at the VIS while continuing his role with the national
elite program.
“I feel quite at home here already within the
environment at the VIS and look forward to providing
a new direction for the triathlon program”.
MAJOR GOVERNMENT SPONSOR
Durakovic has joined the VIS men’s soccer program
as assistant coach. His role will be to assist with the
technical and tactical development of the players and
to pass on his wealth of experience to the young
scholarship holders.
New Zealand born Jason Kumeroa has played rugby,
basketball and indoor cricket, but it’s in the sport of
softball where his true talent lies. He has played
professional softball for almost 15 years for
Canterbury (1991-1999), Auckland (2000) and New
Zealand (1998-2000) and coached the Canterbury
women’s team for five years in New Zealand taking
them from fourth place in 2000, when he took over,
to first place in 2001 and 2003 (the side finished
second in 2002).
Kumeroa started at the VIS in May after a very
successful five-year professional coaching stint in
Italy. He helped guide the Forli women’s team to
first place in 2001 and had them in second place on
four occasions.
Kumeroa brings a ‘toughen up’ style to the VIS
softball squad. He has made personal contracts for
commitment with each player in the squad and wants
them to get physical and compete. His leadership
ability, depth of personal playing experience and
coaching style has already seen a cultural change in
the squad and he hopes to see the team do well in
their major tournaments over the next few months.
4.
RESEARCH TO LOOK INTO THE
LIVES OF VIS ATHLETES
MAJOR SPONSOR
Joining the Athlete Career and Education (ACE) program in August as part of her 70-day university work placement is Erin Lolicato, a final year social work student
from RMIT University.
Lolicato will be conducting research into the overall wellbeing of young athletes as part of her final assessment. She will be developing a questionnaire that looks
into various aspects of an athlete’s life such as family, school and leisure activities.
“It’s been great so far. The VIS is not your typical social work placement, but that is why I like it so much.
Sport is not an area I know a lot about, so it has been a great opportunity to learn new things”.
SPORTS PERSONS IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM
MAJOR COMMUNITY SPONSOR
“As part of my research, I hope to gain some insight into the athletes’ lives and see whether the VIS athletes are experiencing life in similar ways to other young people
around Victoria. I think there are a lot of people out there in the community that assume that, because you are an athlete, everything in your life is fine and that you are
successful in everything you do. This may not be the case for everyone. Young athletes, like other young people, need support and balance in their lives”.
In keeping with the VIS motto, Success in Sport and Life, Lolicato hopes to gauge whether there are areas of an athlete’s life where extra support or guidance is needed.
She will use the outcomes of her research to make some recommendations to the ACE program.
For further information about the research, please contact Erin Lolicato at [email protected].
ACE
BASEBALL
CANOEING
CYCLING
CRICKET
12_13
A HARDBALL
CHANGE IN
SOFTBALL
VIS softballer, Kate Quigley
Before I became coach of the women’s softball team,
the approach was to create better game vision among
the players, while bolstering their technical skill. This
temporarily shifted the goal away from perfect
outcomes, towards a culture of learning and growth.
A primary aim was to get the team used to the taste
of success again, which wasn’t always about winning,
but reaching the goals set week-to-week. Alongside
this, the team engaged in workshops and one-on-one
sessions to educate them around arousal control,
confidence, attention and concentration, and staying
in the moment on diamond. The team progressed
well and by the end of the season they were
optimistic and hungry.
Under my coaching this season, I hope to bring a
fresh, but tough perspective to the team. I want them
to have an on-diamond presence and physically
dominate the ball park. I want the players to be
hungry for a win every single time, to get used to
recovering from errors and to fight, rather than
capitulate. I want the team to play their game,
whatever the conditions, whoever the opponent. I
have one rule – compete.
Physical preparation coach Michael Crooks is putting
the girls through their paces in terms of strength and
conditioning. Crooks’ baseball playing background is
an added bonus to the program. There are a number
of similar aspects to softball and baseball, and the
knowledge Crooks brings from baseball has
been invaluable.
Sport psychologist Pippa Grange continues to work
one-on-one with the team on performance specifics,
and as a group they will take on the challenge of boot
camp. Boot camp is a two day event that tests the
players physically and psychologically but retains the
PHOTO: Gavin Blue Photography
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE
VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT
element of fun. At the end of a boot camp
the messages become embedded, and the
learning translated.
Having Crooks and Grange as part of the support
group team has made the transition of the athletes
a lot smoother. The support staff and athletes
understand the process and challenges needed to
reach the team’s goals and the team is developing
a culture of resilience, cohesion, competitiveness
and courage. Keep your eye on them for the
forthcoming season – let’s see what they’ve got.
Jason Kumeroa | Head Coach Softball
VIS ON SHOW AT
SPORTSWORKS
For the past six months the VIS has been working with Museum Victoria to update and revamp the SportsWorks
exhibition at Scienceworks in Spotswood, and the result is a fun, up-to-date and relevant exhibition for young visitors.
The collaboration sees many VIS athletes profiled in the exhibition and visitors have the chance to see them as
juniors, right through to their days as athletes on the world stage.
Using 3D technology, the VIS sport scientists worked with the VIS soccer squad to produce an interactive display
which allows visitors to be part of the goal-keeping experience, and in another interactive display, visitors can judge
the performance of young VIS gymnasts. There is also a display of shoes that belonged to elite athletes from many
sports, and a display of a new kayak paddle which was developed by VIS sport scientists.
The VIS sport science team provided expert information about the sports experiences which added to the information
that visitors can glean from the exhibition.
The VIS is very proud to be involved in the project and hopes that the exhibition is a great success for the Museum.
CLOCKWISE FROM CENTRE-TOP
(L-R) VIS Sport Science Coordinator, Troy Flanagan, Museum Victoria Senior Curator, Kate Phillips, and VIS sport scientist Dr Stuart Morgan
Young children at the entrance of the SportsWorks exhibition at Scienceworks
Profiles showing VIS athletes, Stephen Mowlam (men’s hockey) and Melanie Jones (cricket), as junior athletes and athletes on the world stage
A prototype of a kayak paddle that has been designed by VIS sport scientists and RMIT University
VIS scholarship holders Kate Combes (golf) and Steven Gilmour (cricket)
are combining study and sport in 2005
FUTURE SPORTING STARS
GIVEN A STUDY HEAD START
A number of Victoria’s elite athletes are being
prepared for life after sport by means of a new
training partnership between the VIS and Swinburne
TAFE which will arm them with sports and business
marketing skills and provide a stepping stone towards
university study.
The new partnership gives formal recognition to
the elite training and competition athletes undertake
at the VIS.
The 12 month Certificate III in Sport (Career Oriented
Participation) was specifically tailored for VIS athletes
and covers units in general administration,
presentation and communication skills, time
management and organisation, designing sponsorship
proposals and sports nutrition. It also provides
advanced training within the athletes’ specific sport.
Currently 12 VIS golf and cricket scholarship holders
are completing their study within their sport at the VIS
with access to regular mentoring and support from
Swinburne TAFE’s sport and recreation department.
VIS cricketer Steven Gilmour says the certificate is a
perfect opportunity for him to further his studies and
sport without hampering one or the other.
“It gives me something to look forward to after
my sport”.
Swinburne TAFE’s Sport Program Coordinator,
Dr Gavin Mooney, said the certificate acted as a
bridge to other diplomas and degrees and provided
a stepping stone into further university study.
VIS ACE Program Coordinator, Bernadette
Sierakowski, said athletes were the winners in
the new agreement as it places them on an
academic pathway.
“This partnership builds on the training athletes
receive at VIS, and gives them the extra benefit of
an accredited qualification. It’s broad-ranging and
flexible enough to set them up for further study and
life after sport”.
VIS EXTREME PERFORMANCE GROUP
MEETING WITH AUSTRALIAN
CRICKET COACHES
Twenty-five VIS coaches and support staff enjoyed a
stimulating and open discussion with Australian
Cricket Head Coach, John Buchanan, and Fielding
Coach, Mike Young. The coaches meeting took place
on the morning of the second One Day International
between Australia and the Rest of the World XI.
VIS Cricket Head Coach, Neil Buszard, facilitated the
meeting with added input from VIS Baseball Head
Coach, Matthew Sheldon-Collins. They both agreed
that baseball skills and strategies can have an impact
on cricket. Discussions covered future trends in
international cricket, the importance of culture, talent
development processes and support systems in
international competition. All who attended
appreciated the lively discussion and the openness
and time of Buchanan and Young.
FROM TOP
1. VIS Programs Manager, Peter Spence, VIS Baseball Head Coach,
Matthew Sheldon-Collins, Australian Coach, John Buchanan, Australian
Fielding Coach, Mike Young and VIS Cricket Head Coach, Neil Buszard
2. Australian Coach, John Buchanan (middle) at the VIS coaches meeting
State Performance Coordinator – track & field, Derek Boothroyd,
Nick Farr, Richard Bennett and VIS track & field athlete, Steve Hooker
Nick Farr and Richard Bennett
The Extreme Performance Group comprises coaches
and performers from a wide range of activities who
meet on a monthly basis to discuss exceptional
performances and achievements. The aim of the group
is to acknowledge and learn from each outstanding
performance, and to stimulate different approaches to
achieving performance excellence. By looking outside of
the more traditional sports, the group engages the
element of diversity to maintain an open mind to
achieving distinct competitive advantages.
Extreme Sports have played a key role in this group and
much has been learnt from Skydivers, BASE Jumpers
and martial artists who excel in pursuits that stretch
human capacities.
In August, the group heard from Victorian detective, Nick
Farr, who recounted the steps he took to overcome the
demands of extreme altitude and many other challenges
in climbing Mt Everest in May 2005. The September
meeting featured NSWIS Performance Psychologist,
and author of “The Surfer’s Mind”, Richard Bennett, who
showed vision of intimidating big wave surfing and
outlined ways in which high performance surfers
overcome fear to tame the enormous power of these
monster waves.
Meetings scheduled to take place at a later stage
include discussions by skydivers, base jumpers and
paramedics from the Metropolitan Ambulance
Service (MAS).
For more information about the Extreme Performance
Group, please contact Peter Spence, VIS Programs
Manager, on 9425 0000 or [email protected].
CJS CONSULTING WORKS
WITH THE VIS
CJS High Performance Consulting (CJS) was founded in July 2004 by Principal Christopher J. Shen, after a
10 year career in consulting with the world’s leading providers of strategic human resources solutions.
The mission of CJS is to develop excellence in performance by using world’s best practice high performance
psychology solutions in organisational psychology, human resources and business consulting.
CJS has been working with VIS staff and athletes to provide leadership training, career and outplacement
counselling for athletes and professional development for VIS staff and coaches.
The VIS is proud to be working with CJS to achieve its stated objective “Success in Sport and Life”.
14_15
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE
VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT
THE NATURAL CONFECTIONERY
COMPANY SUPPORT ATHLETES
AT THE VIS AND THE GAMES
The Natural Confectionery Company, a subsidiary of
Cadbury Schweppes, is the official confectionery
supplier to the VIS Sports Nutrition Program.
VIS Nutrition Coordinator, Karen Inge, incorporates
The Natural Confectionery Company product as part
of the athlete post training and competition recovery
program due to glucose in the confectionery being
high GI carbohydrate, which has been shown to
replenish energy stores quickly.
The recent announcement of Cadbury Schweppes as
a Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games sponsor
means that VIS athletes that make the Australian
Commonwealth Games team will join other Games
athletes in using The Natural Confectionery Company
Snakes, Unbearables, Dinosaurs and other product
as part of their Games training, competition and
recovery programs.
VIS men’s hockey player, Alistair McLennan,
enjoying a 65g bag of Natural Confectionery Company lollies
LICENCE
A BIG HIT
The Bendigo Bank Academy of Sport helps athletes
achieve their sport and life goals. One of the most
recent success stories is 16-year-old baseballer, Josh
Licence, who was in the first Academy baseball
program in 2004 and has now been rewarded with
a baseball scholarship at the VIS.
Steps to a Dream
Josh began playing baseball at the age of seven.
He played for the Strathfieldsaye Dodgers U9 team
where his talent was quickly recognised and he made
the U12 side when he was nine. Josh’s strengths are
in his outfield fielding and batting.
Josh’s achievements have been impressive. He has
been a member of the Bendigo representative side
since 1999, and made the Bendigo senior
representative side this year. He represented Victorian
in the U14 team in 2002 and in the U16 provincial
team in 2003.
He is committed to his sport and is pursuing his
dream of getting a US college scholarship.
Josh benefited greatly from his time at the Bendigo
Bank Academy of Sport.
“It provided me with the opportunity to excel in my
sport and take the next big step” he said. “It was
also great because they helped me with things like
nutrition, time management, sports psychology and
goal setting”.
Josh juggles his training and competition with study
at Flora Hill Secondary College and casual
employment at IGA in Strathfieldsaye.
“I encourage all athletes to work hard and get into an
academy program for their sport, as it is a really good
way to help reach your dreams,” he said.
Bendigo Bank Academy of Sport athlete,
Josh Licence, playing for Victoria
13TH COMMONWEALTH
INTERNATIONAL SPORT
CONFERENCE (CISC2006)
9-12 MARCH 2006, MELBOURNE
CISC2006 is shaping up to be the biggest
international sport conference in 2006!
They will be supported by many other well known
speakers in each of the three conference streams:
A typical week for Josh consists of three gym
sessions per week, daily throw and catch training,
practice at school, indoor gym and training session in
Melbourne, and- VIS squad training sessions. Josh
also competes in a doubleheader every Tuesday night
during the Melbourne Winter League, and plays for
Watsonia on Saturday and for the Strathfieldsaye
Dodgers on Sunday. The Bendigo Bank Academy of
Sport thinks that Josh is a big hit.
A multidisciplinary conference, showcasing the
world’s leading sport academics and practitioners, the
conference theme “People, Participation and
Performance” will ensure there is something of
interest for everyone.
p
Sport Leadership and Management
p
Sport Coaching and Physical Education
p
Sport Science and Sports Medicine
p
Dr Angela Schneider - Canada
(“Ethical Considerations Facing Sport”)
For more information about the Academy visit our
website at www.bbas.org.au or contact Jamie Walker
on 5444 7700.
p
Dr Ali Bacher - South Africa
(“Leading Cultural Change – Developing,
Implementing and Evaluating Policy”) and
There are three excellent keynote speakers:
p
Mr Peter FitzSimons - Australia
(“Sport: What is its Value to Society?”)
The opening session on March 9 will feature former
Commonwealth Games champions, swimmer
Nicole Livingstone and track and field athletes
Cathy Freeman, Steve Moneghetti and Canadian
Bruce Kidd discussing the topic ‘Achieving Success
in Sport; Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’.
Don’t miss out – register now, by visiting www.
cisc2006.com then click on registration.
For further information please contact the conference
organisers, Sports Medicine Australia, on (03) 9654
7733 or [email protected]
MAJOR GOVERNMENT SPONSOR
MAJOR SPONSOR
SPORTS PERSONS IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM
MAJOR COMMUNITY SPONSOR
ACE
BASEBALL
CANOEING
GOLF
GYMNASTICS
PHYSICAL PREPARATION
CYCLING
CRICKET
NETBALL
SOCCER
SPORTS MEDICINE
SPORTS NUTRITION
SOFTBALL
SQUASH
SWIMMING
TRACK AND FIELD
WOMENS HOCKEY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
& SPONSORSHIP MANAGER
Lisa Hasker
EDITOR
Josie Kaddour
VENUE SPONSORS
DESIGN
Lemonade - www.lemonade.com.au
PRINTING
DPA - www.dpa.com.au
SUPPORT SPONSORS
PARTNERSHIPS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Gavin Blue Photography,
Justin Cooper, Getty Images,
Andrew Tauber
VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT
Olympic Park, Swan Street
Melbourne Australia 3000
Telephone 03 9425 0000
Facsimile 03 9425 0100
www.vis.org.au