Former Australian Wallabies captain John Eales visited the Australian Senior women’s Team canoe sprint training camp at Sydney International Regatta Centre this morning, with the Rugby legend passing on some great advice and spoke about his role as Athlete Liaison Officer for the Australian Canoe Sprint Olympic Team.
Former Australian Wallabies captain John Eales visited the Australian Senior women’s Team canoe sprint training camp at Sydney International Regatta Centre this morning, with the Rugby legend passing on some great advice and spoke about his role as Athlete Liaison Officer (ALO) for the Australian Canoe Sprint Olympic Team.
As an ALO, Eales will “act as a mentor by providing information to athletes about ALO’s found effective and useful during competition which will help athletes to maintain focus and maximise performance, promote fellowship within the team, and assist to maximise athletes’ positive Olympic experiences.”
After meeting the athletes last year, Eales returned today to reintroduce himself and get to know the team a little better, speaking to the Olympic aspirants about team work, faith, and about his story on the field and related it back to kayak.
Sunshine Coast paddler Alyce Burnett said, “I think the thing I got most out of today was to always have faith in yourself, your team mates, support staff and coaches. Really trusting the people that are around you and doing all the little things right so once you get to the start line you have no regrets.”
SASI star Hannah Davis is looking to working alongside the rugby legend, who has some great experiences he will be able to share with the Team.
“Having a non-bias opinion from outside the sport will be great, he is someone we will be able to bounce ideas off, he has been part of some great successes and overcome misfortunes in the past and hopefully we will be able to benefit from those experiences.”
Eight senior women are currently in the middle of a 10 day training camp under the guidance of Head Coach Martin Marinov, assistant coach Ben Hutchings, and SSSM staff Dave Aitken and Nic Bullock, with the camp focusing on team boat combinations, with particular emphasis on current K4 crews and trying new K2 combinations.
“It’s been quite intense, everyone has really stepped up which is great,” said Davis.
The senior women will commence the battle for Olympic selection when the Oceania Championships commence from 1-4 March at Sydney International Regatta Centre, NSW.
For more information on the role of Athlete Liaison Officers click here.
Canoeing Australia
