Students to receive sports pathway boost

Students at Bunbury Catholic College who are on a pathway towards elite sport will be eligible to receive extra assistance from the school from next year, with the implementation of an elite sports program. The program will give young athletes an opportunity to work with the school’s existing coaches, as well as other specialists in areas such as sports psychology, physiology, nutrition and biomechanics. It will also give students flexibility in balancing sporting pursuits with academic commitments. “For kids that are at a representative level, have obviously got an interest in sport and really engage with it, whether it’s performing, officiating or coaching, we are trying to engage with them and add to particularly their psychological skills and those elements of sport,” head of physical education Graham Jones said. “A lot of athletes will get lots of the fitness and skill development with their coaches but have very little in terms of their mental skills and psychology, but also nutrition and recovery and rehab. “We are just trying to tie together a whole package and present them with better knowledge so they can make better decisions, plan better and balance out their life.” “It is about player management. “With that, we hope they will stay in the sport longer and go further because they understand a bit more about how to negotiate their way through.” The school has produced a string of successful athletes, including Olympian Lauren Reynolds, World Cup Socceroo Josh Risdon and Kookaburra Jake Harvie, but is looking to better support other athletes on the path to elite competition. In addition to being the school’s 2021 head girl, Jessica Fulton will balance commitments in hockey, surfing, swimming and football next year and said she is looking forward to the flexibility the program will offer her. “I have always just been into fitness and health and wellbeing, so it is now really exciting to have another opportunity to expand that,” she said. “It is an hour of your day where you can do whatever you choose whereas now I will have the time in school to exercise and do what I need. “It is something I constantly have to try and juggle, particularly now becoming head girl which is another thing on my plate.”