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Page 38 Tuesday, 26 November, 2013
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Sport
Mucci leaps for triple joy Sunshine & Western Region Sports Club Inc.
Don Deeble
Rising
star By LIAM TWOMEY NOT many athletes have the ability to win three national titles in one day. But then again, not many have the exceptional talents of Celeste Mucci. After proving too quick to catch on the soccer field as a junior, Mucci joined the Altona Little Athletics Club before progressing to the Williamtown Athletics Club. It was there she teamed up with club coach David Jamieson and burning up the track became second nature. Competing at the National Championships in Perth earlier this year, Mucci received her schedule for the day, which included the finals for her hurdles, long jump and high jump events. While some would have been daunted by the hectic program, the Seaholme resident produced her best on the big stage. Mucci claimed gold in all three events.
“That was probably the best experience for me so far,” she said. “That day I found out I had all those events and that they were all going to clash as well. “I won my long jump which gave me a lot of confidence for the rest of my events. I just kept going and it was such a good day,” Mucci said. “I didn’t have any family over in Perth so I was by myself with the team. I called my mum at the end of the day and she couldn’t believe it. She actually didn’t believe me at first.” Not done yet, the 14-year-old also joined her Victorian teammates in capturing gold in the 4x100 relay. In her final event of the program, the 100 metres, Mucci just missed a clean sweep and came second in the final. However, she did run a personal best. “I’ve always lost to that girl by a fair bit but this time it was just by a little bit,” she said. “Hopefully in the next race I’ll be able to get her.” Winning is nothing new for Mucci who has made a habit of finishing first throughout her career. The Williamstown High School student claimed two firsts (hurdles and high jump) and two seconds (long jump and 100m) at the 2013
Victorian Junior Track and Field Championships. Across a number of events, there has also been gold at the State Multi Event, 2012 ADIDAS All Schools and Secondary School Victorian Sport Association and State Finals. Not surprisingly, Mucci is aiming for even greater success in the future. “I’m happy doing as many events as possible at the moment,” she said. “I might focus on the heptathlon, which is seven events. If not, I’ll just probably go down to the one or two. “I want to represent Australia at a World Junior Championships or at the Commonwealth Games and then maybe Olympics when I’m older.” For her outstanding sporting achievements Mucci has been named this month’s Don Deeble Rising Star nominee. The award is run by the Sunshine Western Region Sports Club in conjunction with the Star News Group. Celeste will receive $1000 donated by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club and other prizes to assist in her future sporting goals. The Don Deeble Rising Star Award recognises young athletes in the western suburbs who have achieved outstanding results at a state and national level.
Celeste Mucci is this month’s Don Deeble Rising Star nominee. 110796 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
Georgies play youth card, with big plans for club JAMIE Chetcuti and the new Sunshine George Cross committee have some big plans for their club. Chetcuti has replaced Darren Farrugia as Georgies president and will lead a new committee of eight into what he hopes will be a very exciting future after what turned out to be an eventful 2013 season. The Georgies are looking to expand and improve on their junior program for 2014 and will also be looking to re-invigorate their men’s senior team, which will again be taking part in State League One next year under Tony Ciantar. “We’ve always climbed the ladder from his first year and second year, so hopefully Tony’s third year
is just as good,” Chetcuti said. However the priority, according to Chetcuti, will be ensuring the club’s youth plays the game in the right manner, regardless of what the scoreboard reads. “The kids are going to be developed the way they should be, applying the FFV criteria and the curriculum,” Chetcuti said. “We’re all going to follow the curriculum from under-age right through to our under-18s, 21s and seniors. “So we’re going to tip it upside down and just try to get as professional as we can and we’re going to try to use a lot of youth in our senior team stepping forward.” The Georgies have also retained the services of former A-League
player Vaughan Coveny, who will lead the junior side of the club once more in 2014. “Vaughan Coveny’s at the top now,” Chetcuti explained. “He’s with the (Melbourne) Victory youth and he knows the process of what it takes and how to coach kids and how to develop kids. “If our coaches just step back and listen to him and take his advice - he’ll be there for them, and everyone’s going to benefit from that.” In another boost for the club, the Georgies will field a senior women’s team next season and will also have six junior girl’s teams. Trials for boys and girls of all ages start this Wednesday at the club’s junior base in Caroline Springs.
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