Training camps 'effective'
Local coach Leonie van Rensberg says the Quinton-Steele Botes athletics training camps have been very effective in the past and that more athletes should enter.
The 27th annual Quinton-Steele Botes training camp is slated for 7 to 10 January 2020 at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek, and coach Leonie van Rensburg has encouraged athletes to sign up, as they will pick up worthwhile skills.
In the past the camp has pulled close to 200 athletes, but this number is expected to go up to 250 next year, according to Van Rensburg.
She said they moved the date to accommodate more athletes at the training camp, which is the brainchild of the late Botes. His aim was to promote and improve sport, especially athletics, in Namibia. Botes was a top athletics coach, and probably Namibia's top sport administrator, who died on 23 June 2014 after a long fight with cancer. Van Rensburg, who took over Botes' work, said it had always been his dream to promote local athletes and coaches, a task which she has taken over to ensure his dream continues. Just like in previous editions, Van Rensburg has invited coaches from South Africa as well as Namibia to help the athletes and coaches get access to new information, techniques and exercises that will help improve their performances. The coaches are Jonathan Greyvenstein, Charley Strohmenger, Roger Haitengi, Christo Swarts, Wimpie Nel, Nico Cronje and Henk Botha. More are expected to join from the regions, if finance permits.
The targeted age groups are between six to 10 years (primary school pupils) and they will need to pay a registration fee of N$450 each. The athletes will be trained on ground principles in all athletic events, including sprints, hurdles, high jump, long jump and throwing events.
Senior primary athletes will be trained in high jump, long jump, sprints, hurdles, javelin, shot put and discus. Athletes in high school and senior athletes will receive training in all of the above, in addition to middle- and long-distance running.
High school and senior athletes pay a N$500 registration fee each. Van Rensburg said her aim is to invite orphans and the less-privileged athletes and pay for their accommodation, transport and meals, but that will depend on securing finances.
“We want to make this camp affordable for all; that is why our sponsors are extremely important,” Van Rensburg added.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
In the past the camp has pulled close to 200 athletes, but this number is expected to go up to 250 next year, according to Van Rensburg.
She said they moved the date to accommodate more athletes at the training camp, which is the brainchild of the late Botes. His aim was to promote and improve sport, especially athletics, in Namibia. Botes was a top athletics coach, and probably Namibia's top sport administrator, who died on 23 June 2014 after a long fight with cancer. Van Rensburg, who took over Botes' work, said it had always been his dream to promote local athletes and coaches, a task which she has taken over to ensure his dream continues. Just like in previous editions, Van Rensburg has invited coaches from South Africa as well as Namibia to help the athletes and coaches get access to new information, techniques and exercises that will help improve their performances. The coaches are Jonathan Greyvenstein, Charley Strohmenger, Roger Haitengi, Christo Swarts, Wimpie Nel, Nico Cronje and Henk Botha. More are expected to join from the regions, if finance permits.
The targeted age groups are between six to 10 years (primary school pupils) and they will need to pay a registration fee of N$450 each. The athletes will be trained on ground principles in all athletic events, including sprints, hurdles, high jump, long jump and throwing events.
Senior primary athletes will be trained in high jump, long jump, sprints, hurdles, javelin, shot put and discus. Athletes in high school and senior athletes will receive training in all of the above, in addition to middle- and long-distance running.
High school and senior athletes pay a N$500 registration fee each. Van Rensburg said her aim is to invite orphans and the less-privileged athletes and pay for their accommodation, transport and meals, but that will depend on securing finances.
“We want to make this camp affordable for all; that is why our sponsors are extremely important,” Van Rensburg added.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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