Athletes Recognised at ILT Academy Southland Celebration

Middle distance runner Millie McFadzien and rugby player Olivia Gill have been recognised during the ILT Academy Southland end-of-year celebrations in Invercargill tonight.

Academy Southland, first piloted in 2005, provides a range of support for many of Southland’s best young athletes — including mental skills training, athlete life, nutrition, and strength and conditioning at the Mike Piper Training Centre.

While a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the programme will be held in December, tonight’s celebration focused on recognising the achievements of the current group of Southland athletes.

Top Foundation Year Award – Millie McFadzien

Gore-based Millie McFadzien (St Peter’s College) received the top award for Foundation Year athletes, recognising her commitment during her first year in the programme.

Millie represented New Zealand at the Australian Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships, and recently won the Young Enterprise Scheme’s Southland Company of the Year title.

Academy coordinator Carly Anderson said Millie, who is coached by her cousin and Academy Southland graduate Hannah Miller, had made the most of the opportunities provided by the programme.

“Millie is a high achiever and she’s been able to use the things she’s learned this year to help fine tune the skills she already had. Despite the additional travel required to take part, Millie has made it work,” said Anderson.

Millie faces a busy end to the year, with both the Young Enterprise Scheme national finals and the New Zealand Secondary Schools Athletics Championships taking place in early December.

Leadership Year Award – Olivia Gill

Central Southland College rugby player Olivia Gill was honoured for her commitment during the Leadership Year of the two-year academy programme.

The hard-running loose forward has been a key member of CSC’s First XV, which this year qualified for the South Island final, defended its title at the Buller 10s, and qualified for the Condor Sevens at Mt Maunganui at the end of November.

Olivia, who will study applied science at Otago Polytechnic next year, was also selected for the New Zealand Under-18 and Matatū Under-20s camps.

“Olivia has really made the most of the opportunities the programme has provided her with, and when she’s gone away to those camps she’s been able to thrive in those environments,” said Anderson.

Looking Back on 20 Years

Academy manager Jason McKenzie said planning for the December anniversary event had provided the programme with a great chance to reflect.

“It’s been a special time looking back at the past 20 years and the 250 or so athletes who have come through the programme,” McKenzie said.

“As part of the celebration we’ve been able to reconnect with many of those athletes, and it’s heartening to see what they’ve gone on to achieve in their sport and their lives.”