Another year of growth and achievement has been recognised at the Academy Southland celebration evening tonight. The Academy, which has been in existence since 2005, provides a two-year programme offering mental skills, nutrition, strength and conditioning, and athlete life advice for young Southland athletes.
Academy Southland manager Jason McKenzie said it had been inspiring to see so many young Southlanders achieving across the board in 2023. “It’s been said before, but with most codes returning to something more normal after the worst of the pandemic, it’s fantastic to see these young people following their dreams on the national and international stage.”
The Academy also recognises two athletes who have made the most of their opportunities through the services the programme provides. In the second year, or Leadership Year, that recognition has gone to Southland Girls’ High School’s Abbie Middlemass. Abbie, who plans to start her nursing degree next year, achieved across touch, netball and rugby in 2023.
Along with fellow Academy member Anna Templeton, she was part of the Invercargill Netball Centre’s under 18 team which finished eighth out of 34 teams at the national tournament in Hamilton in July. Abbie was a member of the Girls’ High first XV which claimed the Highlanders Region rugby title before swapping her boots for court shoes and playing for the Girls’ High senior A netball team. The team finished sixth out of the more than 70 teams who competed in the South Island secondary schools netball tournament in Invercargill and Abbie was selected as one of the A Grade talented players.
“Abbie’s Leadership Year in the programme has seen her drive her programme in the gym and across her nutrition to maximise the opportunities available to her,” Academy coordinator Carly Anderson said.
Cyclist Caitlin Kelly was recognised as the top 2023 Foundation Year athlete. “Caitlin’s consistency in her strength and conditioning, along with being proactive in her approach to Junior World’s across all pillars has helped her achieve on the world stage,” Anderson said.
An undoubted highlight of the Verdon College student’s year was winning a bronze medal in the keirin at the UCI world junior track championships in Colombia. Applications for the Academy’s 2024 Foundation Year intake open mid-January. Applications will be shared on social media, with school sports coordinators and through regional sports organisations.