Top local athletes offer coaching in Kirkwood

Some of the Eastern Cape’s top coaches and athletes will share their expertise with aspiring track and field stars at a three-day coaching clinic that starts at Kirkwood High School on January 14.

The clinic, which is presented by the NMMU Madibaz Athletics Club, is open to all schools as well as individual athletes and coaches across the province.

Madibaz athletics manager Nellis Bothma said the event’s purpose would be to enhance the performance of both athletes and coaches in the region.

“We have so much raw talent here in the Eastern Cape and there is a definite need for specialised, top quality coaching to help these athletes advance.”

Bothma said the Madibaz’s own U23 national champion Ischke Senekal and SA senior bronze medallist Garth Ellis would provide guidance to younger shot putters and high jumpers respectively.

“In addition, we have jumps coach Jenny Kingwill, who helped Ruswahl Samaai to bronze medals in the long jump at this year’s Commonwealth Games and African Champs.”

Also lending a hand in the field would be Madibaz discus and javelin coaches Kobus van Zyl and Vernon Oosthuizen, said Bothma.

“On the track, we’ll have our sprints coach Gerrie Posthumus and middle-distance expert Leonardo de Villiers, while Karel Gerber will handle the hurdles.”

Those coaches who attended would receive a certificate on completion of the clinic, he said.

“By teaching them new coaching skills, we hope they will be able to implement better training programmes and help their athletes to keep on improving long after the clinic is over.”

Registration costs R100 per person and includes lunch and refreshments on the Thursday and Friday.

Accommodation and meals are available at the school hostel for those travelling from further afield at an additional cost of R280 for two nights.

Entries for the clinic close on December 5.

For more information, contact Jeremey Pettit at Kirkwood High School on 082 862 5808 or Nellis Bothma at NMMU on 082 575 1818.