Training opportunities for northern B.C. track and field athletes can't match those available in major urban centres. With that in mind, local coaches Kris Gaiesky and Steph Gouin started talking last summer about holding a development camp in Prince George.
The running, jumping and throwing camp happened Friday through Sunday at Masich Place Stadium and UNBC and was a complete success.
A total of 41 high school-aged participants from Prince George, Tumbler Ridge, Dawson Creek, Vanderhoof and Quesnel got the chance to work on their skills and develop their knowledge base. Guest coaches included Roger Hazlewood from the University of Alberta and P.G.'s Don Allemeersch. As well, PacificSport Northern B.C. chipped in by holding seminars at UNBC on mental training and nutrition.
"Hopefully we give them the tools in this camp that they can use later on in the season or future seasons just to improve and become better athletes," said Gaiesky, a U of A student and track athlete who invited Hazlewood to take part. "It's a huge help [to have Hazlewood here]. There isn't one set, right way to do something. Everyone has their own little tweaks so it just exposes kids to those new training techniques. And he's nationally-certified, so he knows his stuff. To give the kids that is just a huge help."
As a coach, the 62-year-old Hazlewood specializes in the 400-metre and 800m runs and also has Level 3 certification in sprints and distance running. He was happy to help out at the camp, which Gaiesky hopes to turn into an annual happening.
"Kris and I have worked together well [as athlete and coach] so I decided that yes, I could come up and help him run his camp," Hazlewood said. "And it's a good idea. It gives other clubs from the area that don't have a track the opportunity to come and do something different.
"The response has been excellent," Hazlewood added. "They've all enjoyed it and it has been very, very positive."
As for Allemeersch, he lent his expertise in the throwing events and strength training. Allemeersch recently opened up a new gym in Prince George, called the Jump Stretch Canada Fitness Centre. It is located on the top floor of Gold's Gym and offers various types of training and rehabilitation options using FlexBands.
One of the camp participants was Natalie Sharman, a discus and shot put athlete from Tumbler Ridge. The 17-year-old Sharman said the weekend gathering was very helpful.
"It's been a really good chance to learn a lot more with coaches that are specialized in certain disciplines," she said. "And obviously the facilities here are a lot better [than in Tumbler Ridge]."
