BAC resuscitates junior athletics programme

BUDDING athletes came out in their numbers at the Bluff Athletics Club (BAC) open day held on Saturday, 1 May at Fynnland Sports Club.

Participants were given various challenges and obstacles to test their speed and agility by qualified athletics coach Julian Japhta together with other BAC members.

“The day was to gather support from the community and to get youngsters to join the club. The importance of the open day was to see what talent we have in the area and to try create a buzz for athletics because it has kind of died in the area. So this was a way to bring it back to life and also get children to have fun,” said Julian who also opened up the initiative to children from St Monica’s, Isiah 54 Children’s Sanctuary, Dirkie Uys Primary and Fynnland Senior Primary schools as he seeks to scout talent in youth who may often be overlooked.

“I was pleasantly surprised at the day’s turnout because a lot of local schools tend to prioritize other codes of sport over athletics. All who attended the training will be signed up to the BAC. They all deserve a chance and each athlete develops at their own pace. From today I can say five seen at least promising children who I need to put in the A group and work with to get to KZN provincial trials.

“I encourage all aspiring sportsmen to keep dreaming and never give up on that dream. I was never a natural athlete. All it took was someone spending time with me to train and help me develop. When you have someone who doesn’t necessarily stand out from the crowd and work with them to a point where they qualify for the provincial team is proof of how far determination and good coaching can go. I get so much fulfillment from seeing a child realize their potential when they were made to believe they didn’t have it in them. Every child has talent, it just takes dedicating the time to nurture it.”