Lakeside launches sprint, hurdles programme

To raise the bar in athletics, Lakeside Primary teamed up with the iRun Athletic Club and Setech Sporting to launch a structured sprint and hurdles development programme for its learners.

The initiative, which targets a group of 40 promising athletes from U7 to U12, aims to nurture speed, agility, and confidence in a competitive yet supportive environment.

Cheslin van Stade, the school’s sports co-ordinator, said they had competed under cluster six in Boksburg sports and were grouped with some top sporting schools in the area.
“This year, we’ve performed well, winning several cluster events and finishing third overall in the cluster. We realised that to keep up with these top schools, we needed to raise our game, especially in sprinting and hurdles. That’s when we approached the iRun Athletic Club, which was eager to help.”

Van Stade added that the learners were carefully selected based on their athletic potential and that the school hopes to involve parents in the journey.
“We want learners to practise not just during the week but also on weekends and holidays. Not every child is academically inclined, and we see sport as another vital opportunity for growth and achievement.”

Jared de Waal, the Athletics South Africa (ASA) national level 3 coach and coach at the iRun Athletic Club, explained the motivation behind the collaboration.
“Our core mission is to foster the development of young athletes across the East Rand. When Lakeside Primary approached us, we saw an opportunity to support a school with tremendous untapped potential. This initiative allows us to help young athletes grow into confident, skilled competitors.”

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The programme includes dedicated 40-minute training sessions every morning from Monday to Thursday before the school day begins.

Each session is led by a qualified coach from iRun, focusing on technique, strength, and discipline in sprinting and hurdling.

“Our coaches are ASA-certified and bring years of experience working with youth athletes. We aim to create a consistent training environment where children improve their athletic abilities and develop discipline and a love for the sport,” said De Waal.

Although the programme is still in its second week, the early signs are promising.
“There’s an incredible energy. The learners show up every morning, excited to train. That enthusiasm is the first measure of success,” De Waal added.

Looking to the future, iRun hopes to expand its community outreach by partnering with more schools and sponsors.

“We want to build sustainable grassroots programmes and even train and place local coaches in schools. With the right support, we can create a development pipeline that takes young athletes from school level to the national stage.”

Anyone interested in supporting the programme through sponsorships or partnerships is encouraged to reach out.
For more information or to get involved, call De Waal on 072 463 8899.

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