AWD

AWD REPORT 2021

The AWD program is a structured and elite program focusing on a high level of skill and performance development for Athletes with a Disability. The athletes within the program come from a range of sports and throughout the scholarship are supported in the strength and conditioning, skills development and proficiency in order to perform at a high level in their respective sports.

The program is structed around weekly strength, conditioning and skill development sessions which is coupled by the IAS educational programs in a supportive environment. The athletes within the AWD program present with a range of physical and intellectual disabilities and different experiences levels within their sports. The programs primary goal is to give para-athletes a supportive and leading opportunity to participate in high end sports / skill development and education.

2021 has been eventful, challenging, and successful year for the IAS AWD program with athletes having great success in their sports. Despite the ongoing challenges the AWD athletes have encountered during the 2021 season, all athletes remained motivated and consistent with their training and performance.

In 2021, we welcomed new athletes, Rosie Boyland and Charlize Colwell who have both settled in well to the squad for the 2021 season and worked extremely hard in the respective sports from the start.

The squad had our returning athletes Jarred and Tarren Dyer, Patrick Mitchell, Telaya Blacksmith and Chloe Williamson giving us a squad of seven athletes this year. Our athletes have been put through their paces with weekly strength and conditioning sessions and skill specific training directly related to their sports, allowing them to transfer these skills and aspects of strength and conditioning into their competitions. All athletes balance a huge training load with them all having multiple training sessions for their specific teams and coaches as well as their weekly AWD squad training sessions.

There has been a big focus on supporting all athletes with understanding the most effective ways to recover and rest during each week to ensure they remain at peak performance and eliminate the chance of injury. More recently with the COVID-19 restrictions athletes have still engaged and kept up their training via Zoom sessions and weekly training challenges.

The 2020/21 AWD program has had another successful year with all athletes working hard and consistently overcoming the obstacles.

PROGRAM STAFF

Kurt Freeme Head Coach

Georgia Flynn Assistant Coach ATHLETE ACHIEVEMENTS

Telaya Blacksmith: Australian Athletics Championships – 1st Long Jump (National Record), 1st 100m (National Record), 3rd 200m, Sydney Swans AFL Academy.

Rosie Boyland: NSW Athletics Championships – 1st Shot Put

Charlize Colwell: Australian Athletics Championships – 1st 800m, 2nd 200m, 2nd 400m, 3rd 100m

Jarred Dyer: Australian Swimming Championships - 1st 50m Fly, NSW Para Potential Squad

Tarren Dyer: Australian Swimming Championships - finalist

Patrick Mitchell: NSW Athletics Championships – 2nd 1500m

Chloe Williamson: Swimming Regional Championships - finalist