Port Stephens athletes dream of Olympic futures

Nelson Bay Hockey juniors can now aspire to a home advantage at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

 

AN 11 year window for training exists for athletes to participate in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Chair Josephine Sukkar says an extended 11-year runway to the Brisbane 2032 Games provides an incredible opportunity to unite the nation through sport.

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The ASC, comprising Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), welcomes the International Olympic Committee’s decision to award the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics to Brisbane.

Nelson Bay Hockey Club is very excited that Australia is hosting the 2032 Olympics.

Lindsay Brown of the Nelson Bay Hockey Club told News Of The Area, “As a small club we have a high success rate of developing our kids so they can go on and achieve success at State level.

“We are hopeful that some of our current juniors will be competing in 2032.

“Our C graders are just the right age to take to the field as a hockey player when the 2032 Olympics are held, Hockey NSW has some great pathways that ensure that anyone who has the potential and the willingness to put in the hard work can achieve their dreams of playing for Australia.

“Everyone at the Club is already really excited to be watching Kate Jenner compete at the Tokyo Olympics.

“Kate has been providing training for our kids as our Regional Coordinator for the past few years and has been a wonderful mentor for those kids who are aspiring to go all the way.

“We can’t wait to see some of our home grown kids stepping up and competing at the Olympics in 2032!”

Port Stephens Little Athletics runner Shari Hurdman told News Of The Area, “It would be really cool to have the Olympics in our own country where all our friends and family can come and watch.

“It will be good not having to travel so far.

“I’ll be 25 then and I aim to be at my peak so I can race to my full ability.

“This is definitely something I will be working towards, as well at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

“I just have to keep training hard.”

It will be the third time Australia hosts the Games, but this will be by far the longest lead-up.

Sydney was announced as host in 1993, seven years before the 2000 Games.

Ms Sukkar of the Australian Sports Commission said, “When you consider how successful Sydney 2000 was and how those Games still carry an enormous legacy today, the extended build-up to Brisbane 2032 is an incredible opportunity to again unite Australia through sport.

“For a lucky few, competing in Brisbane will represent an opportunity of a lifetime.

“All of us, however, can benefit from the positive influence of a home Games if we embrace it.

“We must take advantage of the laser-like focus hosting a home Games presents us. It is a chance to drive sport participation, re-invigorate volunteering, elevate our inspiring sporting heroes and continue building our vision for sustainable success across Australian sport.

“There is a golden decade of major sporting events on home soil ahead, with World Cups or World Championships locked in for basketball, cricket, football, and netball, to name some.

“Every sport needs to take advantage of this generational opportunity, to capture the hearts and minds of Australians.

“We acknowledge the hard work of all that have contributed to this successful Brisbane 2032 bid, including the Australian Government, Queensland Government, Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia.”

AIS CEO Peter Conde said the AIS, along with the National Institute Network, National Sporting Organisations and other high performance partners, had already set strong foundations for a united push towards Brisbane 2032.

“Teamwork can be Australian sport’s greatest strength in the build-up to Brisbane 2032,” Mr Conde said.

Sport Australia Acting CEO Rob Dalton said the Brisbane 2032 announcement would intensify the focus on growing participation and volunteering numbers.

“Equally there has never been a more important time to focus on our volunteers, who continue to provide the heartbeat of Australian sport.

“Our work is well underway to modernise and improve the experience for sport volunteers to ensure that anyone who wants to be involved in sport can easily find opportunities and roles to suit them.

“Brisbane 2032 may be 11 years away, but we will continue working hard with sports every day so that all Australians have the opportunity to connect with sport and this global event,” Mr Dalton said.

 

By Marian SAMPSON

 

Port Stephens’ Shari Hurdman dreams of running in the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.

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