Singleton Striders
By Hilary Kennedy
During my youth I competed as a national level Heptathlete and Javelin thrower. After relocating to Singleton in 2014, I noticed a need for an athletic coaching program at a grass roots level. In 2017 Singleton Striders was developed. Singleton Striders has allowed myself to get back into Track and Field [like most coaches] through my children’s involvement in the program.
The philosophy of Striders revolves around providing holistic and fundamental based training. I aim to work alongside our local youngsters assisting them to fine tune their athletic skills regardless of the sport they play. Most importantly I hope to guide my athletes on their journey to becoming the best version of themselves. On top of working on skill development, a positive mindset, diet and nutrition and strength and conditioning, Singleton Striders main goal is to allow everyone to feel they are part of a family. Striders endeavors to become a whole team with everyone’s end goal of becoming a better athlete and to have a ton of fun doing the program.
Striders works closely with Singleton Track and Field Club, Schools through the IAAF Kid’s Athletics Programs, Clinic coaching for Little Athletics NSW and Athletics NSW. You will often also find me working with the local Rugby Union and Soccer stars in the off season. This program suits anyone who wants to accelerate their speed and agility. Recently I worked with the under 15s boys and girls Singleton Roosters teams in speed and vertical jumping skills.
Working with our local kid’s has been such a positive experience for me. We have had great success at Regional, State and National level in both Para and Able-bodied events and had the opportunity to travel interstate and to state level carnivals in regional NSW.
This year will see a focus on developing a few of our 16yo athletes by assisting them to receive Athletics Australia Accreditation so that they can continue to remain involved whilst competing or studying. It is important to me that we give these kid’s the support to help grow our sport in the future.
We currently train at Alroy Oval on Monday and Thursday evenings at 5.30pm. Providing coaching for ages 7 and up in sprints, distance, jumping and throwing, all while having great company and loads of laughs.
Our Singleton Track & Club season commences in September, all things going well in our new home at Rose Point Park (cook 5 field) where we will be unveiling our brand-new IAAF standard Long Jump Pit! With only weeks until the start of the Olympics, this is an exciting opportunity for our town and the wonderful people in it!
If you would like to enquire about coaching for your child, please get in contact with Hilary on 0466 984 352.