New WA academy creates high-performing athletes
Regional Western Australia has a long history of producing AFL stars. But a new sports academy in the Great Southern region is making it easier for talented athletes from other sports to compete at the international level.
Transcript
00:00 Albany's Demi Burns is the fastest 15-year-old girl in WA over 400 metres.
00:07 She trains three times a week in the hope of one day making the Olympics.
00:12 So today we're going to do a 1K rep.
00:15 But Demi has been training herself since her coach died earlier this year.
00:19 The knowledge that he's presented onto us is so big that we've managed to train by ourselves.
00:25 So yeah, he's made a big impact on all of our lives.
00:28 Now without a coach, Demi says Albany's new sports academy is offering her more resources
00:33 to help her achieve her dream.
00:34 I think it will just help us progress into that higher level, help us have the confidence
00:40 because when you're by yourself it's really hard to just know that you can do it.
00:44 But having all that support is going to help us go to the next level.
00:48 The program will give the young athletes access to support and mentors to help them reach
00:52 the international stage.
00:54 Denmark surfer Izzy Campbell has already represented Australia internationally.
00:58 She's looking for support to turn pro.
01:00 Every time I want to go on a surf trip or go to another comp it's kind of like I've
01:04 got to drive to Perth to get a plane somewhere else.
01:08 So it's just five hours drive there.
01:12 So yeah, we do that a bit.
01:13 I think it's a barrier for a lot of athletes, particularly athletes that are non-financial.
01:18 There's a cost that comes with travelling and accommodation and if you're training or
01:24 competing on a regular basis it does add up.
01:26 The academy is open to young athletes aged from 12 to 19 and will help them continue
01:30 making waves in their chosen sport.
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