Coach identifies potential hurdlers

National athletics coach Albert Miller has identified potential young talents that can become 100 and 400 metres’ hurdlers.

This is after Miller gradually introduced the new concept to secondary school athletes.

“We’re trying to introduce hurdles to some of the high school students,” he said.

“It’s something that Athletics Fiji is working on with secondary schools to see if we can make it a permanent feature for the school’s competition.”

Miller said their approach is one way to identify potential hurdlers.

“We’re slowly working towards that and hopefully it can become a permanent event in our weekly schedule so that we encourage any upcoming athlete who wants to try the hurdles,” he said.

“We’re looking at four or five athletes that are already have potential to be good 100 and 400 metres hurdlers.”

Miller has observed high school students in urban areas participated in offseason athletics training compared to rural schools.

“I just hope that schools that start-ed early have good training plans to avoid getting burned out or injured in the process when participating in zone meets,” he said.

“Traditionally rural schools have dominated long distance events like 800, 1500 and 3000 metres event.”

Miller called for more technical expertise training to be held in rural and urban schools.

“Everyone is comfortable on the track, but when it comes to more technical events like the throws and jumps, coaches are a bit reluctant to identify potential athletes in those events. This is because it’s more technical and needs better under-standing. We always have raw talent from the rural schools,” he said.

Miller commended Rotuma High School in their efforts in producing young skilled athletes in throwing events.

“I think every once in a while, Athletics Fiji needs to do its work and go around to encourage coaches and athletes in rural school to keep training,” he said.

“Hopefully the dividends will pay off in the long run.”

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