Academy nurtures top talent
The Kimberley's brightest young athletes are thriving as part of the Broome Senior High School Specialist Athletics Academy, with positive results at a State competition last month.
The venture, which started last year at the local education centre in partnership with Athletics WA, aims to offer the region's best teenage athletes improved facilities and coaching.
The academy training sessions are held twice a week in an effort to develop Broome's young stars, with three members in particular benefiting from the initiative.
Jaymee Park, 14, Jettson Brown, 14, and Damon Enosa, 15, took part in the WA State Athletics Championships in Perth on January 30 and 31. Jettson picked up a bronze medal in the under-16 triple jump and set a personal best in the 100m sprint.
Damon won bronze in the under-17 triple jump, while Jaymee set a personal best in the shot put.
The teenagers are set to train all-year round with the All Schools Athletics Championships WA in October in their sights.
The academy's aim of giving regional youngsters equivalent opportunities as those received in the State capital is starting to be achieved.
"Down in Perth, you get more facilities and better coaching but this program bridges the gap to a certain degree," Jettson said.
Jaymee agreed the academy had improved all three of the athletes' performances.
"Twelve months ago, we would never have dreamt about competing at a State tournament - it was a distant dream, but now it is reality," she said.
Damon said the academy helped to instil self-discipline and time management, while assisting with their commitments to other sports.
For more information on the academy, contact Bree Watt at Broome Senior High School on 9192 2502.
