High Performance Athletics Program

The High Performance Athletics Program is available for students in Years 7-12 and provides a unique opportunity for talented young athletes to combine academic success with sporting excellence during their high school years.

The program began in 2012 and with a substantial increase in numbers, the program is continuing to grow from strength to strength.

What does the program entail?

The program is designed to fast track students along their sporting pathways and elevate them to achieve their best.

Students focus on developing their skills and fitness whilst working in line with Nationally Accredited Standards.

The program includes:

• 3 practical training sessions per week covering all Athletic events (sprints, middle and long distance, hurdles, long jump, triple jump, high jump, javelin, discus, shotput, relays)
• Video analysis and feedback on training sessions.
• Opportunities to compete in Nitro Athletics Challenge.
• Opportunities to assist in officiating at the Darling Range Learning Community Athletics Carnivals
• Strength and conditioning sessions
• Individual tailored training programs
• Recovery sessions
• 1 Sport Science sessions which incorporates in depth study of nutrition for peak performance, sports medicine courses, sports psychology, rehabilitation and recovery, coaching and officiating

Who is the Coach?

Morgan Ward
Athletics/ Triathlon Program Coordinator

Coaching Roles
Level 1 Athletics Accredited Coach
WAIS External Coach – Javelin
WA Target Talent Program Coach
Athletics West Emerging Coach of the Year – 2021
Athletics West Coach of the Year – 2022

Athletic Career
National U17 Talent Squat – High Jump
National U19 Talent Squat – Decathlon
National TTP – Decathlon
WAIS High Jumper/ Decathlete – 2010 – 2014
WAIS Javelin Thrower – 2014 – 2019

What has the program achieved?

• 2020 Interschool Athletics 2nd place B Division promoted to A Division
• 2020 Interschool Athletics B Division Meritorious Award
• 2020 Coles Nitro Athletics Challenge 2nd place Intermediate Boys – invited to Nationals
• 2019 Interschool Athletics Carnival 4th B Division Meritorious award
• 2019 Year 12 Long Jump Record at Interschool carnival
• 2019 Nitro Athletics National Competition Junior Boys 2nd, Senior Boys and Senior Girls competed
• 2109 Nitro Athletics State Competition Junior Boys 1st, Senior Boys 2nd
• 2019 U/20 Australian All Schools Cross Country Championships
• 2017 U14 girls National gold medal in triple jump, long jump and silver medal in high jump
• 2017 U15 National bronze medal multi event
• 2017 State Champion U15 boys heptathlon, long jump, triple jump and silver medal in hurdles and high jump
• 2017 State Champion U14 girls long jump, triple jump and high jump
• 2017 U15 boys 4th junior national 400m, 7th junior nationals 800m
• 2017 U14 girls National gold medal in triple jump, long jump and silver medal in high jump
• 2017 U15 National bronze medal multi event
• 2017 State Champion U15 boys heptathlon, long jump, triple jump and silver medal in hurdles and high jump
• 2017 State Champion U14 girls long jump, triple jump and high jump
• 2017 U15 boys 4th junior national 400m, 7th junior nationals 800m
• 2016 U13 boys gold medal in 100m and 200m, silver medal 400m and long jump, bronze medal triple jump
• 2016 state title holder javelin

The award winning program has had many successes including numerous Western Australian Schools Knockout Track and Field State Championships.

Darling Range has also been chosen to represent Western Australia on two occasions at the Australian All Schools Knockout Championships.

Selection Process

• Entry into our High Performance Sport Programs is through a selection process.
• All applicants must complete a physical tryout (Stage 1).
• If the applicant is successful for Stage 1, we will require copies of the last two (2) school reports to assess your child’s academic and behavioural achievements (Stage 2).
• If  your child is successful in both stages, they will be offered a position in their chosen program.
• Written communication will be sent advising the outcome of your child’s application.

Enquiries

If you have any queries regarding the trial or enrolment process, please contact our Enrolments Officer on 9453 0139 or at lesley.lydiate@education.wa.edu.au.