Media Releases

Spotlight on Ned Deppeler

Hi Ned,

 

Welcome to our spotlight on series. 

So today we are here to talk about your SWAS journey in surfing, we know you well as an athlete who is pretty amazing in both track and field athletics, but it turns out you are also a very accomplished young surfer.

So what led you to pursue surfing? 

I have been surfing since I can remember. My dad, uncle and cousins surf and I live in Port Campbell. I started surfing with my dad pushing me into waves in the Port Campbell Bay and at Crescent Head, then out at the point at Port Campbell. I spend every day of the holidays, weekends and after school surfing. Apart from footy season which takes up Saturdays.

You are very good at a lot of sports, has surfing always been a passion for you? 

I have always loved surfing, it is my main sport in summer. Football is also important to me. I also enjoy boxing. I would say my passions are surfing and playing guitar. I have always surfed and love the feeling of freedom and power it gives me, and the speed.

You’ve recently attended the Torquay surf school, can you explain what that entailed for those of us that may not know? 

We have surfing sessions with Adam Robertson a surfer who has competed on the world circuit. He films us surfing and then we watch the footage and he gives us feedback on our technique and how we can improve our surfing. He also helps with how to deal with fear and nerves and stuff like that.

Warrnambool has fantastic beaches; do you have a favourite local spot to surf? 

Bowkers at Princetown and the Point at Port Campbell. My other favourite is Crescent Head in NSW. I go there for a month in September every year.

Obviously being down at Torquay, you would have visited Bells Beach, which most people have heard of; do you get to surf there often? 

Not often, I surf Winki Pop more than Bells.

So who is your surfing hero, and why? 

Mick Fanning because he seems like a good bloke and Jeff Sweeney because he is a big wave charger and he has been really good to me.

Is there any advice you can give up and coming local surfers to keep them motivated during cold and Windy Warrnambool Winters?

Get a good Ripcurl wetsuit.

What is your season looking like, are there any big competitions or training in warm and exotic places coming up?

I am training in Crescent Head in Northern NSW at the moment and plan on going to Indonesia next year. I am also on the Ripcurl Research and Development Team. I test their prototype wetsuits and have to log my surfing and report about the wetsuits every 20 hours. From the 5th of March until the 11th of September I have spent 178 hours surfing and am testing a wetsuit with a new sort of rubber.

What do you find you personally benefit from in the SWAS program? 

I have benefited from Adam Robertson’s advice and really think that the gym sessions have helped both my surfing and my football.

So do you have to travel much for your sport and if so where is the furthest you have travelled for events?

NSW, Torquay and Portland.

 

Thank you so much for being a part of our spotlight on series, Do you have anyone you would like to thank? 

I would like to thank Peter Cole from Ripcurl and my parents for driving me around.

Spotlight on SWAS Netballers Sarah, Jedah and Chloe…

For this Spotlight we take a bit of a different approach! The three athletes chosen are the first of a three part, identical question series!

We are hoping by asking these questions that we will see how everyone has different perspectives and different ideas when asked the same questions on the same subject.

So let’s begin!

SPOTLIGHT ON SARAH TUNSTALL:

What led you to netball?

I actually had a friend that asked me to play for a side as they didn’t have the numbers and I said yes. I’m very glad I did agree to play. I always have known about netball but this was the first time I was going to play netball out of school.

Can you explain how your journey in the sport began?

I played my first game of club netball when I was 11 against Cavendish. I remember playing shooter and I found that the game came very naturally to me. I started quite late compared to my teammates who had started at an earlier age. During that season I played mostly GS but also transitioned into the midcourt. That year also lead to us winning the grand final so my first season was definitely a memorable one.

Why do you enjoy netball and what is your favourite part of the game?

I love most sports but I have stuck with netball because it has come so naturally to me. I love meeting new people and netball has opened many great opportunities for me. My favourite part of the game is being in a team environment and getting challenged while also having fun.

What is your favourite position on the court?

Centre and Goal Attack are my favourite positions on the court.

What does your training involve?

At the moment I train with two teams, a junior and senior side and also the gym training’s that SWAS offer. I have loved the Netball sessions that SWAS also provide and have trained with inter-league teams throughout the seasons.

What is your favourite/least favourite part of training?

My favourite part of training is getting the opportunity to play some half court or play a scratch match. My least favourite is passing during warm-ups, I’m usually ready to start using my head a bit more.

Do you have to be rigid with your diet as part of your training and competition?

Game days I try to eat as nutritiously as possible but most days I am pretty flexible and don’t do anything extra with my food choices.

Can you tell us about your favourite pre or post game food favourites?

I always eat breakfast pre-game and my favourite would be eggs on toast. Post-game I like something sugary to get my energy back quickly and I try to go for something like a salad roll to replenish.

How long have you been involved with SWAS?

I have only been a part of the program for this year.

What is one thing you would tell people if they asked you about SWAS?

I would tell people that SWAS has given me plenty of knowledge to take away to further my skills and understanding of netball and it has been so fun meeting new people.

Have you had any particular favourite memories from within your sport?

My favourite memory is of my first grand final. I remember it being quite cold and playing goal shooter for the match. Winning the Best and Fairest last year is also something I will never forget. I do also have plenty of good memories associated with my basketball career.

Does anyone else in your family play netball or a team sport?

Yes my younger brother plays netball and also football and basketball. My Dad played basketball and football and Mum played Netball.

Tell us a little about your family!

My family grew up in small country towns and are happy that I get these sort of opportunities. My family actually pushed me towards swimming as my first sporting path but as I grew older I switched to sports my friends played. My brother and I actually got to play our first game together this season as he was just filling in!

Do you have any pre game rituals or superstitions?

I always have to stretch my quads and shoulders and have to take some shots even if I’m not shooting.

Have you ever had any injuries? If you did, what rehab was involved and did SWAS help in that process?

Yes I have had 2 fractured wrists and a fractured knee cap that required some physio. And just the few rolled ankles and corkies. I luckily haven’t sustained any injuries during my time with SWAS.

What advice would you give someone wanting to give netball a try?

Just do it. If you ever get the opportunity take it or you might miss it. It’s played a little differently to other sports but anyone can pick up the rules quickly. It’s fun, competitive and anyone can play.

Netball is a team sport, do you find the challenge of having to do your best for a team a motivator for you to play harder, work harder, train harder or try harder during the game?

It is a big motivator. It goes both ways with your teammates if you see that someone is a bit off, you lift so they can lift, or it can go the other way round. I like to think that I try enthuse my teammates as much as possible and bring lots of energy to games and training.

What different levels have you played at?

With netball the furthest I have competed is with Inter-league. With basketball I have been lucky enough to have attended the Gold Nugget basketball camp. At a younger age I have been able to further represent basketball but now as I have gotten older more Netball opportunities are available.

Do you think living in South West Victoria makes it easier or harder in your sport?

I think it makes it easier. There are so many leagues to play in and compared to other parts of the state we have good numbers of participation and it is still easy to play netball at a higher level.

Where is your favourite local venue to play?

Our club is currently having new courts built and since this venue is so close to home I can easily call it my favourite.

 

If you could explain the game to someone who has never played before, how would you explain it to them?

I would start with explaining obstruction because that is what people seem to get most confused about. I’d let them know what part of the court they are allowed in and reassure them of what a fun game it is.

I’d like to thank…

Firstly I would love to thank my parents for all the transport, costs etc. your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. The coaches have been so helpful and a special thanks to Sarah Wall as your session was a huge highlight.

SPOTLIGHT ON JEDAH HUFF: 

What led you to netball?

I started playing football while my sisters were playing netball and eventually I played netball with my friends too.

Can you explain how your journey in the sport began? 

I really wanted to play sport with my friends.

Why do you enjoy netball and what is your favourite part of the game? 

It is a real team game and you have to work together.  No one person can play the game on their own

What is your favourite position on the court? 

GA or GK

What does your training involve? 

SWAS once a month, junior and senior training from 5-7.30pm on a Thursday night and Western Region training.

What is your favourite /least favourite part of training?

Favourite-seeing my team mates that I only catch up with at netball.  Least-all the running!

Do you have to be rigid with your diet as part of your training and competition? 

No but I try to eat healthy most of the time.

Can you tell us about your favourite pre or post game food favourites? 

I don’t really have any as long as I have had some.

How long have you been involved with SWAS?

Just this year

What is the one thing you would tell people about if they asked you about SWAS? 

It’s good to get to know new people in your sport, it teaches you new skills and also gives you the skills to be able to include being an athlete in your life now and in the future.

Have you had any particular favourite memories from within your sport? 

Winning the qualifying final in overtime last week.

Does anyone else in your family play netball or a team sport? 

My 2 sisters play netball and my brother plays footy, cricket and basketball.

Tell us a little about your family! 

Mum, dad, Ayla 18, Tillee 17 and George 12.

Do you have any pre game rituals or superstitions? 

No

Have you ever had any injuries? If you did, what rehab was involved and did SWAS help in that process?

No I’ve been very lucky (touch wood!)

What advice would you give someone wanting to give netball a try? 

Have a go!  It’s so much fun and a great team sport.

Netball is a team sport, do you find the challenge of having to do your best for a team a motivator for you to play harder, work harder train harder or try harder during a game?

Yes I definitely do! I love my team and I always push myself to work harder so I don’t let them down.

What different levels have you played at? 

Junior, senior, schoolgirls, interleague and State Titles teams.

Do you think living in South West Victoria makes it easier or harder in your sport?

Definitely a lot more travel!

Where is your favourite local venue to play? 

Penshurst

If you could explain the game to someone who has never seen netball before, how would you explain it to them? 

It’s like playing piggy in the middle or keepings off. Really the only way to get the ball is with a clean intercept or a rebound. It’s a very fair game because everyone gets a fair go at goal because the centres alternate.

I would like to thank… My mentor, SWAS coaches, team coaches and teammates.  I have really enjoyed the SWAS experience and opportunities and the great variety of stuff we did.

SPOTLIGHT ON CHLOE MANUELL:

 

What led you to netball?

Friends and enjoying the fitness netball provides

Can you explain how your journey in the sport began?

Started at school in sports class and then played at North Warrnambool Eagles and the stadium

Why do you enjoy netball and what is your favourite part of the game?

I like the fitness side of things and the friendships I have made over the years also the different coaching techniques

What is your favourite position in court?

Favourite position is probably C

What does your training involve?

It involves teamwork fitness and skills

What is your favourite/least favourite part of training?

Favourite part is getting fit least favourite is when it’s over

Do you have to be rigid with your diet as a part of your training and competition?

I don’t really have to diet as I am a very active person

Can you tell us about your favourite pre-or post game food favourites?

My favourite food pregame is fruit in the post-game is jam doughnuts and orange juice

How long have you been involved with SWAS?

I’ve been involved with SWAS since the start of 2019

What is the one thing you would tell people if they asked about SWAS?

SWAS is all about fitness skills and friendships.

Have you had any particular favourite memories from within your sport?

I was chosen in the inter league team in 2018 and 2019 winning both of the grand finals.

Does anyone else in your family play netball or a team sport?

My older sister Emily 17 also plays netball

Tell us a little about your family! 

Firstly my family is always on the go and they always support me in all aspects

Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?

I always tighten my shoelaces before going on court

Have you ever had any injuries? If you did what rehab was involved and did SWAS help in that process?

I’ve been lucky enough in netball as I have had no injuries at all. But I would strongly agree that SWAS would help me if I did

What advice would you give someone wanting to give netball a try?

I will definitely advise anyone to do netball as it benefits your fitness and you make lots of new friendships

Netball is a team sport, do you find the challenge of having to do your best for a team a motivator for you to play harder, work harder train harder or try harder during a game?

My motivator would definitely have to be all of my SWAS coaches and my netball coaches as they encourage me to do my best

What different levels have you played that?

I have played under 12’s for two years under 13s for two years under 15s for two years and filled in for under 17‘s in 2018 I have also played interleague under 15s twice

Do you think living in Southwest Victoria makes it easier or harder in your sport?

I find it easier as there are many opportunities and everything is close by

If you could explain the game to someone who has never seen netball before how would you explain it to them?

Netball is a noncontact sport and includes constant movement

Where is your favourite local venue to play?

My favourite place to play is anywhere as long as I am playing the sport it doesn’t matter.

Is there anyone in particular you would like to thank?

I would like to thank my parents for taking me to all my trainings and netball games and also all my coaches I have had throughout the year and definitely SWAS for allowing me to participate in an amazing sporting opportunity and for all the support you given me thank you.

Position Available – Communication Officer

SWAS is searching for a talented and professional Communication Officer to assist with and expand our athlete’s events, media and community programs. You will represent the South West Academy of Sport (SWAS) and assist the CEO and board with SWAS initiatives that increase the Academy’s profile and visibility within the surrounding community.

You need to be self-motivated, enthusiastic and community-driven to take on this exciting role. This position requires someone equipped with a positive attitude and ability to work independently and as part of a small team.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Communication

• Represent SWAS positively  with the local community and to young people, promoting the pathways and services offered
• Assist in the organisation and communication of relevant SWAS events including athlete education sessions,  training activities, community events and promotions
• Communicate and liaise with athletes and coaches on regular community engagement opportunities and media opportunities

Community Engagement

• Assist with the implementation and evaluation of a Community Engagement Strategy
• Together with the CEO, assist in maintaining the SWAS website and utilising social media to develop opportunities for youth engagement and service promotion

Athlete Engagement

• Participate in the planning and development of athlete education series
• Maintain a calendar of athlete education and engagement services, including community events, workshops, presentations and other engagement opportunities
• Assist in the development and design of events for target groups to increase the profile of SWAS and deliver key messages and values
• Assist in the promotion and development of athletes

Workstyle, attributes, and attitudes

• Adaptable and willing to embrace innovation and change
• Works positively, effectively and sensitively with a wide range of people
• Models SWAS’s values and behaviours
• Works to deadlines
• Outcome-oriented
• An open and transparent communicator

Level of Responsibility

The position is classed as Grade 4 under the Sporting Organisations Award 2010, *negotiable depending on the skills and knowledge of the applicant.

This position is Part-Time  – 15hrs per week + super & leave entitlements

Applicants are asked to address the selection criteria (two pages maximum) in the attached position description and forward their CV to SWAS CEO Nic Kaiser nic.kaiser@swtafe.edu.au by Monday 16 September.

SWAS Communication Officer Job Description

 

Spotlight on

Jaylen Brown

Hi Jaylen and thank you for being a part of our Spotlight On series.

So, you are a Wheelchair Basketballer, what made you pursue Basketball as your chosen sport? 

I grew up in basketball stadiums watching my Mum play a lot of basketball. That’s where my love for basketball started.

Being based regionally, how do we stack up against the city for opportunities to practice and compete? 

It’s hard for me because all of my trainings are in Melbourne. We do have a wheelchair basketball competition in Warrnambool that I play in and I do some training here on my own. There are more opportunities for me in Melbourne.

Can you explain a little about the level of training and competition that is provided locally?

There is a social competition here on a Thursday night that has 5 teams competing in it at the moment. I enjoy playing but it is only a social competition. I do all of my training on my own with Mum or Dad.

There has been a real focus in the last few years on disability inclusion, not only in Australia, but the world, what advice would you give a young kid who wants to get a start in sport, especially locally?

It’s ok to give anything a try, don’t be nervous you will really enjoy being part of a team and playing with your friends.

Wheelchair basketball looks like a very fast paced sport, what is it you love most about the game?

I like that it’s physical and fast.

What did you have to do to become involved?

I started playing in Brisbane. I was invited to a training session and from there I continued to play.

What does your training involve?

At the moment I’m training on my own a lot but when I can I go to Melbourne I train with the Victorian juniors or the NWBL Kilsyth mens team.

Can you tell us about your teammates, being a team sport and knowing very little about basketball, can you, in a basic way, explain what a game involves.

Wheelchair basketball is very similar to able bodied basketball. Most of the rules are the same except in wheelchair basketball each player has a classification, mine is a 4.0. The classifications are 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5. Classifications depend on your disability, the lower the number means the less function your body has. Each team can only have a total of 16 classification points on the court at one time. E.g. you wouldn’t be able to play 5 players on the court as once if they were all 4.0 because you would then have a total of 20 points on the court. The coach needs to know all their players classifications and what combinations of players can play together so that you don’t go over the 16 points.

How long has wheelchair basketball been your dream?

Since I started playing when I was 7.

Have you ever wanted to play any other sports?

I play AFL and able bodied Basketball.

Do you have any heroes or people you would like to be like?

Giannis Antetokounmpo (NBA Player)

What is your ultimate sporting goal?

To play for Australia.

If you could encourage someone to try your sport what would you say to them?

Come and have a go, its fast and fun. You will enjoy it.

Locally if a person wanted to get involved, would it be costly, is there specialised equipment here that they could use to try the sport, to give it a go?

It costs $5 a week to play and all of the equipment is there to use, you don’t have to bring anything.

Where do you have to go to compete?

We play at the Arc every Thursday night.

With the Paralympics becoming more widely known, is it your ultimate goal?

Yes, I want to play for Australia at the Olympics and at a World Championship.

What is the pathway you would take to make it to Paralympic level?

I would continue to represent my state at the u23 nationals each yr. I’m currently a part of the Australian u23 squad; I’m hoping to get picked to go to the u23 World Championships in 2021. I would need to start consistently playing in the National League Competition and then hopefully be invited to be a part of the mens Australian training squad to one day be selected to go to the Paralympics.

Do any of your family also play the sport?

My Mum plays Basketball and my Dad played Football.

Can you tell us more about your family, do you have siblings, if they don’t play your sport do they do other sport?

My mum is Louise, she coaches and plays basketball with the Mermaids. My Dad is Matt, he coaches Football at Merrivale and I have a little bother Tommy, his too young to play sport yet.

How long have you been involved with SWAS? What do they do to help and support your journey?

6 Months. The weekly gym sessions have really helped me build up my strength.

Is there anyone you like to thank today?

My Mum and Dad for all their support.

We would like to thank you for being a part of our series; we cannot wait to watch your journey!

Spotlight On
Jeremy Dixon

 

Hi Jeremy, this week you are our focus for the Spotlight On series. Today I’m hoping we can shine a light on our SWAS Athletics/Functional Movement Coach and learn a little bit about the man behind the starting blocks!

So Jeremy, you were born and raised in New Zealand, but have been in Australia for quite a few years now, what brought you to Australia?

Seems like such a long time ago now – 15 years in fact! A few things contributed to the move at the time as my coach retired and the athletics career had stalled. While I was also working full time I had some family living in Melbourne and was keen for something new and thought why not! I was also excited about the training opportunities to join a high performing athletics squad in Melbourne and see if I could get back to running fast… A couple of achillies and torn calves later put that back to bed.

How long have you been based in Warrnambool?

We moved down at the start of 2017. Before moving here I didn’t really know much about Warrnambool, aside from coming down once for Fun4Kids. My wife (Amy) is from Dunkeld and we thought giving our kids a regional upbringing, similar to our own, would be a good thing.

How long have you been involved in SWAS?

I have been involved as a Coach for almost 2 years and as a Board member for 1 year.

You also have your own squad, after school program and coach at the Warrnambool Little Athletics Club, what is it that made you want to coach?

I just love athletics and relished the opportunities the sport gave me.  While I had been doing coaching on and off for about 10 years, there appeared to be a strong demand and need for coaching.  This was the catalyst to fully commit after years of wanting to and make something more formal happen.  It was also an opportunity to make a difference for regional kids and a personal challenge to put athletics back on the Warrnambool agenda.

Recently you were appointed to the athletics Victoria Target Talent Squad as an Assistant Coach, giving you the chance to mentor some of our states best sprinters.
What is it about that program that made you want to be a part of it and what do you personally hope to gain from the experience?

The opportunity to be formally part of the high performance track and field environment in Victoria was an opportunity I could not pass up. Being in Warrnambool you can be very isolated, so learning from and developing relationships with other coaches can only help me improve my coaching.  Not only that, working with some of the upcoming stars of tomorrow is a great learning environment and can help sharpen my communication skills to see what works and what might not with a broader group of athletes.

You work locally at Wannon Water, how do you manage to juggle Work, SWAS, AVTTP, coaching your squad and family life, you must need to be super organised! Can you give us any hints and tips for handling the pressure of the combination of work/sport/life?

Ha yes it is very full on!  I think one of the most critical things is that you have to be passionate and love what you do.  Even though it can get busy, if you enjoy what you are doing then it certainly does not feel like work and you tend to be more energised and effective.  I am also lucky that Wannon Water have a range of flexible work practices that support employees contribution to our local community so that takes the pressure off.

Surrounding yourself with people who uplift and support you but who can also say,” hey, slow down, I think you need a break, or “you’re focusing too much in one area”, is important too.  Keeps you grounded so you don’t get to consumed by any one area….which certainly can happen.

 

You were an very accomplished Athlete at a young age, can you give us a brief rundown of what your own personal Athletics’s Career looked like?

I sort of fell into sprinting at 14 after running at the school sports and unknowingly broke a 30-year old record.  I suddenly found myself competing at regionals and then South Islands where I finished 4^th in the 200m.  Following that I started training and fell in love with the sport and won the NZ Junior Boys 200m title in 1996 and from there I started competing regularly.  I was also playing representative soccer through to the end of school before specialising in sprinting at the age of 17.  Some of the major achievements included a 3^rd and 2^nd in the Senior Men’s 200m in the early 2000s as well as Oceania silver medals in the 200m and 400m.  I must admit that as a New Zealander, it was great to also win the Senior Mens 4x100m relay at Australian nationals with our local Otago team. Some other great experiences included Arafura Games (1999), Oceanias (2000 and 2002), World University Games in Beijing (2001) and an IAAF Grand Prix meet in Japan for the NZ 4x400m relay (2003).

 

Every athlete faces disappointment at some stage of their careers, can you tell us about yours and what you did to work through it/ get past it to become the person you are today?

I tore my hamstring in Beijing warming up for competition at the biggest event of my life.  I have never been more disappointed after being lucky enough to have spent a month travelling through Canada with the NZ and Australian World champs team in preparation.  After recovering from that I then got quite sick, and the next season I found myself playing catch up and continually getting injured.  Consequently I never recovered and retired at the end of 2004 at 24yrs.  It took a long time to let go of some of the decisions I made that led to me having to retire but it sharpened my resolve and commitment to help others achieve their aspirations so good has come from it. 

What do you feel is the best advice you can give someone who is just starting out in athletics?

Definitely patience (which I lacked!). Ultimately the outcome will look after itself if you stick to the process. Listen to your coach and put yourself in an environment where you can thrive.  Also, don’t compare yourself to others. Only worry about what you can do and focus on what you can control. Step change or massive improvements can happen in an instant when you least expecting it (and often do). Finally (and most importantly) enjoy it! That’s what will bring you success however you define it.

You work with both Able Bodied and Para Athletes, what do you see as the biggest benefits of inclusion in sport?

You can’t be what you can’t see, so it’s great to have a more inclusive focus on para athletes.  It provides inspiration and something to aspire to for those who may not think there are opportunities for them.  I have also found that the determination and dedication shown by para athletes in spite of their challenges is a huge inspiration to all athletes.  Coaching para athletes has helped me to grow as a person where I have probably learned more from them than they have from me!

You are still extremely fit, are there any plans for a comeback to athletics? I’m lead to believe that you can still give your younger squad quite a run for their money on the Aths track?

Ha, I would not go as far to say “extremely” fit, but coaching the kids have inspired me to get back into a little bit of training.  Staying fit also helps me to demonstrate the techniques and skills required as verbal cues are sometimes difficult with younger athletes.  I also attempt to try new things for myself before bringing them into the coaching environment, just to see how they might feel and how we can use them.  I did put the spikes on for the first time in 12 years a couple of weeks back and survived, so you never know!  I would love to have at least one last competitive race before I die but coming back to priorities, I don’t have too much time to train for myself so we will see what happens.

Can you tell us what you think the most important benefits of the SWAS Program are?

The access to coaching and education is of course critical for our upcoming sportspeople but my view is that it is broader than that. As a regional aspiring athlete, SWAS provides recognition and support that you have been identified as having what it takes to succeed.  This does wonders for confidence, and being part of a high performance framework that is beyond an athlete’s normal sporting environment opens new perspectives, ideas and sharpens commitment and focus.  It’s a pathway that provides experiences that set up the athlete for their future aspirations.

What do you enjoy most about Coaching the SWAS Athletes?

I enjoy the opportunity to be able to also coach non track and field athletes and introduce functional speed and power considerations that can translate and improve performance in each of their own sports, whether it be agility, footwork, coordination or balance.  For many of the SWAS athletes the concepts are brand new, so working through how to do them can be fun as when athletes attempt to use their bodies in different ways, the organised chaos always results in plenty of laughs. It’s great to be able to take the SWAS athletes into this world and hopefully they enjoy it too.

Where would you like to see athletics in Warrnambool and Surrounds in say, 5 years?

Since I started coaching here in Warrnambool I have found suitable places to train are few and far between. Athletics at a senior level is somewhat non-existent and there is almost a complete drop off after Little Athletics.  It would be great if we could get a seniors competition up and running as we do have great talent here, and I would argue proportionately more than the larger centres.  We just need coaches and improved infrastructure to help nurture this talent and it will pay back in dividends not just in athletics but all sports. I would love to see an upgraded track, some form of indoor lane access for our winter months or suitable grass facilities that are safe and accessible for our athletes.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

In a coaching sense, my biggest inspiration does not necessarily come from one person, I get inspired and motivated when I see kids, athletes, coaches or recreational athletes committed and giving their all in their pursuits.  I really admire that.  The icing on the cake is seeing the excitement and joy in their faces when they do a personal best or learn and apply something new. That gives me motivation and inspires me to keep improving and be a better coach.

Where in Warrnambool and the Surrounding districts would someone go to find out more about Athletics?

Warrnambool Little Athletics Club is probably your first bet. Alternatively Athletics Victoria or SWAS can point people in the right direction.  I am always happy to help out as I have an informal role with Athletics Victoria as a Coaching Hub leader where part of the responsibility is to help grow coaches in the region.

Lastly, Do you have anyone you would like to thank or make special mention of today?

My family (Amy, Isla and Isaac) for putting up with what can be a pretty hectic schedule and SWAS and Athletics Victoria for opportunities to coach. I would also just like to recognize and thank the coaches that invested in me, specifically Trevor Bent my first coach who passed away a couple of years ago (coach for 6yrs) and Kevin Hickman (coach for 3yrs).  I did not quite appreciate what you did at the time but are forever grateful for your dedication and support that provided me with such opportunities and life experiences.

Thank you so much for being a part of our Spotlight On Series! We can’t wait to see how your athletes (and you) go in the coming year. We hope it is a very successful season.

 

Spotlight On

Eddie Worrall

Hi Eddie, Welcome to our regular Spotlight On series, which focus’ on SWAS Athletes and gives our readers a chance to get to know a little more about you, your sport and your pathway to where you are now.

So, Cycling. What made you pursue this sport In particular?

My family were right into cycling so I guess I have been watching them compete over the years and it seemed natural for me to start riding also.  When I started racing I just loved it and also because it is something I can do with my Dad and brother it makes it easier and fun to do together.

Can you explain in basic terms the different types of cycling?

Basically, I ride track (on a velodrome) in summer and Road during winter.  Road racing can have all types of events, from a road race, time trial, criterium, hill climb and much more. Track racing has even more types of events, from pursuits, Madison, points races, scratch racing and more.

What is your favourite discipline in cycling?

My favourite event would have to be the individual time trial (ITT), because it is just you against the clock with no one else to help you.

Do you compete in many events? Are there many opportunities to compete locally or is it all out of area? 

I compete as often as I can.  Just locally I race the Port Fairy and Warrnambool Cycling club races.  I also compete in all the junior events around the state, which this year is 5 Junior Tours and then the State Championships.  Most of these events are in Melbourne or central Victoria, like Wangaratta, Broadford and Eildon.  Track racing in summer is mainly in Melbourne.

Do you compete against all ages and abilities or is it specific to your age, gender etc.? 

Locally I race the junior races as well as senior, wherever the handicapper puts me.  In the Junior Tours I have been in the U17 A Grade.  I am bottom age in that age group so it is a huge challenge this year.

Do you have to travel a lot to be able to achieve your best?

Yes, just about every second weekend we are away racing somewhere in the State, and if not away we are racing in Warrnambool or Port Fairy.  The travel makes it a huge commitment for all my family, lucky they like cycling too.

Can you explain what a usual week looks like including training, school, competition and other general interests?

School always comes first which can be annoying sometimes when all you want to do is ride your bike. Monday and Friday are normally my rest day where I won’t ride my bike but instead will do a gym session. Tuesday – Thursday are training days were I will normally get up 5.15am to ride before school. On the weekend I will race either locally or at a tour, or do some longer hours on the bike to get some endurance in my legs.  I also try and swim once a week, and work whenever I am needed.

Where do you go to school, and are they supportive of your cycling?

I go to Emmanuel College, I love it because lots of the teachers are supportive because they are also cyclists and are always up for a quick chat about the local morning bunch ride or how I raced on the weekend.

Family is the backbone of all of our athletes, can you tell us a bit about your family, are any other family member cyclists too?

I’m extremely lucky to have such a supportive family that are always pushing me to do my best whether that’s at riding or my school work. Mum and Dad both run their own business which keeps them busy but somehow always find time for us kids. Everyone in the family is into cycling apart from my sister but I’m sure that will change one day, maybe.

In your cycling training, how far would you ride in an average week and what sort of fitness goals do you have to help you achieve your best?

Training varies from week to week depending on what events I have coming up but an average week ranges from 10 – 15 hours of training on the bike and then additional hours on top of that with gym and other activities.

How long have you been involved in SWAS? Do you have a favorite part of the program?

This has been my first year being a part of SWAS, my favourite part of the program would have to be the SWAS days where all the athletes from all sports or just your sport get together and train with each other or go to a big event.

Can you tell us what benefits you believe SWAS gives you, to help give you an edge over non academy cyclists?

Being a part of SWAS has given me the opportunity to work with an amazing coach, Kerry King. Kerry is very supportive and also sets me a challenging training program each week. The cycling kit and SWAS clothing is great, as well as the Training Peaks account which is where my coach puts all my training for the week. I feel I am well supported as a SWAS athlete, and the opportunities it provides.

You attended the VIS Day with other SWAS Athletes, How was it? What did you take away from the day?

It was great to see what facilities and support Victoria’s best athletes get access too. I got the most from the sports Psychologist who explained about mental battles athletes can go through and ways to best manage those battles.

If you were to speak to a younger child wanting to try cycling, what advice would you give them?

Give it a go, you either love it or you don’t but the least you can do is give it a go. Cycling can be a hard sport to get into because of the costs and equipment required. It’s not a main stream sport so only a handful of others my age are riding.  But there is a lot of support from other experienced local cyclists that have been riding for a long time with lots of knowledge about the sport and are more than happy to lend a helping hand or give advice.

Of all of your competitions so far, which has been your favorite? Can you tell us about it?

My favourite event would have to be Nationals in Bunbury (WA) last year. It was one of the biggest races I have ever competed in with so many other incredible cyclists. I was fortunate to be a part of the state team and met a lot of cyclists my age that are now friends.

Who is your sporting hero?

I don’t really have a hero; instead I look up to and admire many athletes from a variety of sports who have achieved success.

What is your ultimate long term goal?

My long term goal is be good enough to ride overseas in Europe.  To do this I will need to continue with both my Track and Road cycling as a junior for the next three years.  If I continue to train and race I would love to think I may get a ride in an NRS team in Australia, which may lead to racing overseas.

And lastly is there anyone you would like to thank today? 

I would like to thank all those people that have helped me so far with my cycling, I have been lucky to have family and friends that also love cycling and have help me to develop a love for it.  I have had a couple of coaches now which have been fantastic to me and helped me make the most of the opportunities I have had.  My parents try to do whatever they can to help me get to races and be able to do what I love whatever sport that has been.  I would like to thank South West Academy of Sport (SWAS) for allowing me to be part of their program and all those that support this program including Royal Bikes and my coach Kez.

Thank you for taking part in the Spotlight On series, we really appreciate your time and look forward to watching how you grow and succeed in the future.