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Divided into sport groups, WVAS athletes had weekly conference calls last term to see each other\u2019s faces, chat, check-in, debrief about their physical, mental and emotional health, and give feedback.<\/p>\n
Usually in the pool six times a week, 13-year-old swimmer, Taylor Mason was grateful for WVAS\u2019 support structures while she couldn\u2019t get in the water for three months.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was good to keep in contact and talk with other teammates on Zoom every week about how we were going,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeetings about self-esteem and keeping motivated during quarantine were very helpful because our sport is not like others where you can train on land as you usually would.\u201d<\/p>\n
Upon reflection of the \u201cup and down\u201d pandemic period, Mr Saitta is proud.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been no start or finish line to this. No fixtures in the calendar or championships to aspire to, and even as an administrator, trying to advise the board and members has been tricky,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we\u2019ve been honest to one another about how we feel. Sometimes the athletes are highly motivated, and other times they lack motivation and incentive, and that\u2019s okay. We\u2019re here to support them.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur role recently has been more around general exercise and physical wellbeing, as opposed to a strictly high-performance aspect. We\u2019re stable and consistent for families in this swirl of change.\u201d<\/p>\n
The academy\u2019s sport specific skills sessions are back for golfers and tennis players. A swimming session is set for these school holidays, while netball, cycling, and strength and conditioning workshops are planned to return next term.<\/p>\n
Individual athletes commenced strength and conditioning training at the RAD Centre last week.<\/p>\n
WVAS is grateful to their partners who have continued supporting the academy to ensure athletes had products and structures they needed to maintain form.<\/p>\n
These include the VIS, Federation University, Ballarat Renault, Jeep and Carworks, Ballarat Sportsmen’s Club, RSM Ballarat, RAD Centre, Eureka Concrete, RIX Avis Ballarat, Ballarat Golf Club, Ballarat Regional Tennis Centre, the State government and the City of Ballarat.<\/p>\n
Athletes from the ages of 10 to 19, living between Melton and Stawell are currently part of the WVAS family.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
STAFF at FedUni WestVic Academy of Sport knew one thing as COVID-19 hit in March \u2013 that they would stand by their young athletes and engage them remotely. WVAS executive officer, Corey Saitta said it was crucial training adapted and continued, with lots of online contact. He was tenacious, ensuring 2020 didn\u2019t become a \u201cgap […]<\/p>\n