Amazing displays of talent as Kimberley athletes smash records at championships

The Be Active Regional Athletic Championships once again took place in Fitzroy Crossing from 9–10 September 2009 with approximately 110 athletes competing from across the Kimberley region.

11 December 2009

Spectators were treated to some amazing displays of talent, with records being broken over the two days.

This year also saw our first athlete since 2007 reach qualifying standards to represent the Kimberley at the State All School Athletic Championships in Perth in November.

Zac Speed from Broome jumped 11.52 metres in the Under 14 Boys Triple Jump (National Qualifying distance is 10.40 m). He also broke a couple of records and was overall outstanding. Zac’s performance proved that being involved in Little Athletics with regular coaching and competition has helped his technique and competition performance.

Some of the athletes were also up for selection to travel to Newcastle to compete at the National Indigenous Athletic Championships in November. During this trip, organised by Athletics Australia, athletes had the opportunity to participate in athletics clinics, learn about the ‘Jump Start to London’ program and meet a variety of Indigenous role models.

Garnduwa would like to thank Athletics Australia for bringing Tenika Demamiel (Jump Start to London participant) to attend the event as a role model. Tenika talked to the Kimberley athletes, ran warm-up sessions and gave a few coaching pointers to assist the athletes to improve in their events.

This year’s program also saw a few changes with events being held at different times, the introduction of a break during the heat of the day for all athletes and staff to enjoy a cultural Geikie Gorge tour and a talk from past Kimberley athletes who have previously competed at state and national level.

Overall the event saw some great competition and spirit and we look forward to another successful event next year. Many thanks must go to the schools and their staff who trained and brought their students to compete, the many volunteers that helped out on both days and the local Garnduwa staff who prepared the venue.

Special thanks go to the Bunuba people, Healthway, Marra Worra Worra, Athletics Australia, Nindilingarri Cultural Health, Shire of Derby West Kimberley, Fitzroy Valley Aboriginal Sporting Association, Fitzroy Crossing Police, Yurabi CDEP workers, Fitzroy Crossing District High School volunteers, the Department of Sport and Recreation, Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Sports Commission and all who supported the championships.

Congratulations to the following athletes for their achievements at the regionals:

Name                        Age        Group       Region             Medals

Tamsin McQualter        U/15        Girls        Kullarri               4 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze

Toni Broome                U/13        Girls        Fitzroy Valley     5 gold, 1 silver

Jenielle Dolby              U/14        Girls        Derby                 3 gold, 2 bronze

Fransiska Eppler          U/16        Girls        Kununurra          7 gold

Luke Turner                 U/16        Boys        Kullarri              4 gold, 3 silver

Zac Speed                  U/14         Boys        Kullarri              7 gold, 1 bronze

Dylan Fitzpatrick         Open        Boys        Kullarri              4 gold, 1 bronze

Nelson Baker              Open        Boys        Kullarri              4 gold, 1 silver