Top athletes pole vault into clear Ballarat skies -Australia
Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 3:14 pm
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Top athletes pole vault into clear Ballarat skies
MELANIE WHELAN
11 Jan, 2010 10:55 PM
LEADING Australian pole vaulters have shown Ballarat's athletics fraternity just how tough their discipline can be.
Hot weather, a testing breeze and thorough warm-up sessions highlighted only part of how much needs to go right to clear a good height. Llanberris Reserve has produced good results for Mark Stewart's stable and with the Commonwealth Games and top national meets not far away,
he brought his athletes to Ballarat for some solid competition practice at the weekend.
Stewart said a summer outing in Ballarat was a good lead-up in a Commonwealth Games year.
In 2006, Stewart arrived with Steve Hooker, who he coached to a personal best of 5.91 metres and Commonwealth gold medal that year.
"It's a good pit and usually there are good, favourable winds," Stewart said.
"There was no other competition in Victoria this weekend and we always like to get to Ballarat at least once a season.
"(Australian runner-up champion) Joel Pocklington has only ever jumped a personal best here."
A few daring Ballarat Harriers tried their luck with the pole early before leaving the likes of Australian open men's champion Blake Lucas to reach greater heights.
Stewart said the aim was to get his athletes primed for the Commonwealth Games, proving they could jump the qualifying height and finish top three in the April nationals.
Younger team-members are working towards the junior track and field nationals and Olympic Youth Games.
The troop are fresh back from the Devonport Gift carnival at Christmas, bringing with them Launceston pole vaulter Danielle Dwyer, who hopes to improve on technique and reach a personal best under Stewart.
Dwyer begged her parents to let her try the sport about 15 years ago after completing a school report on Stewart's former charge and 10-time world record holder Emma George.
Now she is hooked.
Stewart said the ingredients to being a top pole vaulter require a strong all-round athlete.
"You need to run fast as well as have many years of careful training," Stewart said.
"You need to be the right physical build _ no being below average height.
"You need some gymnastics experience, like Joel (Pocklington) ... and if you don't have any you need to learn fast _ pole vaulters need aerial awareness.
"Most of all you need to be mentally tough because what you're doing can be scary and dangerous."
When Stewart's athletes sailed over the bar, they made it look so easy but, for the Ballarat athletes watching on, they knew it was not.
Top athletes pole vault into clear Ballarat skies
MELANIE WHELAN
11 Jan, 2010 10:55 PM
LEADING Australian pole vaulters have shown Ballarat's athletics fraternity just how tough their discipline can be.
Hot weather, a testing breeze and thorough warm-up sessions highlighted only part of how much needs to go right to clear a good height. Llanberris Reserve has produced good results for Mark Stewart's stable and with the Commonwealth Games and top national meets not far away,
he brought his athletes to Ballarat for some solid competition practice at the weekend.
Stewart said a summer outing in Ballarat was a good lead-up in a Commonwealth Games year.
In 2006, Stewart arrived with Steve Hooker, who he coached to a personal best of 5.91 metres and Commonwealth gold medal that year.
"It's a good pit and usually there are good, favourable winds," Stewart said.
"There was no other competition in Victoria this weekend and we always like to get to Ballarat at least once a season.
"(Australian runner-up champion) Joel Pocklington has only ever jumped a personal best here."
A few daring Ballarat Harriers tried their luck with the pole early before leaving the likes of Australian open men's champion Blake Lucas to reach greater heights.
Stewart said the aim was to get his athletes primed for the Commonwealth Games, proving they could jump the qualifying height and finish top three in the April nationals.
Younger team-members are working towards the junior track and field nationals and Olympic Youth Games.
The troop are fresh back from the Devonport Gift carnival at Christmas, bringing with them Launceston pole vaulter Danielle Dwyer, who hopes to improve on technique and reach a personal best under Stewart.
Dwyer begged her parents to let her try the sport about 15 years ago after completing a school report on Stewart's former charge and 10-time world record holder Emma George.
Now she is hooked.
Stewart said the ingredients to being a top pole vaulter require a strong all-round athlete.
"You need to run fast as well as have many years of careful training," Stewart said.
"You need to be the right physical build _ no being below average height.
"You need some gymnastics experience, like Joel (Pocklington) ... and if you don't have any you need to learn fast _ pole vaulters need aerial awareness.
"Most of all you need to be mentally tough because what you're doing can be scary and dangerous."
When Stewart's athletes sailed over the bar, they made it look so easy but, for the Ballarat athletes watching on, they knew it was not.