How do you transition from a school athlete to a professional athlete?

With the Olympics about a month away and the deadline to qualify for the Olympics coming up on the 29th June we take a look at athletics and what it means to athletes and schools. We are privileged to have three time Olympian and TUKS lecturer, LJ van Zyl talking to us about Athletics and opportunities that school kids have at getting recognized, transitioning from school to professional athletics and being able to participate at the Olympics. Together with LJ we have content creator and ex journalist Manfred Seidler who has over 30 years of experience working in Athletics and reporting on sports events including the Olympics over those 30 years. LJ de Villiers did his masters on the difficulties that athletes have transitioning from a school athlete to a professional athlete and here, LJ together with Manfred, identifies these problems and then goes on to talk about other issues that athletes face.

 

TRAIN LIKE AN OLYMPIAN WITH POWERADE A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR SOUTH AFRICANS

The London Olympic Games were an unforgettable experience for the six South Africans who spent a week there as part of the Powerade “Train like an Olympian” program.

Powerade, the Official Sports Drink of the London 2012 Olympic Games, gave 60 sports fans from around the world an insight into the life of an athlete at the Olympics at the Powerade Sport Academy.

The 60 amateur athletes, including the six South Africans, were based at the Powerade Sports Academy were given valuable lessons on training from Joze Luiz Barbasa (four times Olympic 800m athlete), Dean Downing, professional cyclist, Ben Titley (head coach Team GB Swimming), former NBA star and sports psychologist John Ameachi and Matt Bowe, swimming Olympc silver Medalist.

The six South Africans who were chosen to go were Amos Rangata, a school teacher at Spruitview on the East Rand; Frank Montgomery, a financial accounting lecturer at Unisa in Tshwane; Eugene Strauss, a 34 year old accountant from Gauteng; John Knapton  who is retired and lives in Vereeniging; Hannes Pretorius, an IT Consultant from Rustenburg and Rockefeller Philips, a 44 year old golf player from Durban.

The Powerade Sports Academy focused on teaching skills in five different Olympic sports – athletics, swimming, football, cycling and basketball – and the five attended a program of inspirational lectures and tips on training and hydration, and ate meals designed specifically for the Academy by leading nutritionists.

All six agree the trip was the opportunity of a lifetime.

“I was very overwhelmed to have been chosen, on my way to the airport it still had not sunk in that I am actually going to London,” Phillips said.

This was echoed by Rangata who said that meeting the other winners and learning more about them and their backgrounds was a highlight for him.

The lectures and talks opened the eyes of the group as they were able to see all that goes into an Olympic athlete’s preparation.

Lecturer, Frank Montgomery, said it was a different experience as he was a student for a change. “When I looked through our programme before I left South Africa it was the psychology behind how to cope with the trials and tribulations of becoming an Olympian that intrigued me and the lecture by John Ameachi did not disappoint me.”

The highlight of the trip, undoubtedly, was visiting the Olympic Athletes Village.

“We got to see some really famous athletes in real life and met the South African swimming medlaists, Cameron Van der Burgh and Chad Le Clos. I must admit I was very excited because you do not get to bump into these people on the streets,” said Rangata.

Phillips was able to have a brief chat with Cameron and told him it was just unbelievable watching him finish his race and set a new world record.

“He thanked me and said that the medal he was won was for all South Africans to celebrate and to show youngsters that with a positive approach to anything you do in life, nothing is impossible to achieve”.

The amateur athletes say they learned a tremendous amount about exercise, and hydration during the week.

“I learned how important it is to be on a healthy diet, as we had nutritionist there explaining to us which foods and supplements to take to insure that you stay healthy,” Phillips said.

“I have been a healthy eater all along, so for me the big thing that I will be implementing into my diet is drink more water and to use more Powerade as we were taught that you need more than water alone to help the body to keep hydrated.”

Rangata said he was surprised to see just how much training it takes to be the best. “We had to give urine samples and were taught which supplements to take while warming up and also how essential it is to drink Powerade energy drinks before and after training.

For Eugene Strauss the day spent in the Olympic Stadium was a highlight, and a day he will brag about for years to come.

“The atmosphere in the stadium was electric,” he said. “Seeing the action from so close made me realise just how amazing these athletes are. The rhythm with which they performed their respective disciplines reaffirmed the lessons we learned regarding the importance of rhythm in exercise and sport.”

All six agree that the trip was a life-changing experience, and that Powerade has given them greater appreciation of the great athletes, and a new enthusiasm for their own sport.

Powerade on the field of play and at the Olympic Athletes’ Village

As Official Sports Drink of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Powerade will be front and center at London 2012, hydrating more than 10,000 athletes across 26 sports on the field of play both in training and game venues. In addition to providing product on the field of play, the ‘Powerade Hydration Center’ inside the Globe at the Olympic Athletes’ Village will allow athletes to customize their own Powerade Sports Bottles, order the Powerade PRO Sports Hydration powder and get hydration tips to help them perform.

60 AMATEUR ATHLETES GET ADVICE FROM OLYMPIC MEDALISTS ON HOW TO TRAIN LIKE AN OLYMPIAN - DAY 4

The 60 amateur athletes, including six South Africans, currently based at the Powerade Sports Academy were given valuable lessons on training from Joze Luiz Barbasa (four times Olympic 800m athlete), Dean Downing, professional cyclist, Ben Titley (Head Coach Team G.B. Swimming), Any Manley and Matt Bowe, Swimming Silver Medalists.

Powerade, the Official Sports Drink of the London 2012 Olympic Games, is giving sports fans from around the world insight into how to ‘Train Like An Olympian’ at the Powerade Sport Academy.  The opportunity is part of the Powerade drive to give amateur athletes, who live and breathe sport every day, an opportunity to improve their own performance.

The athletes are quickly realizing that training for the Olympics is a 24 hour a day commitment.  “We are up by 6am, active throughout the day attending lectures and training and get to bed at midnight,” said Eugene Strauss, a 34 year old accountant from Gauteng.

Day four included pilates before breakfast, endurance running, sprint running, cycling and then swimming sessions ending with a look behind the scenes of the Olympics.

Strauss is using this opportunity to help him prepare for the 2013 Iron Man.  “We got some good advice on breathing techniques and exercise drills to increase lung capacity,” said Strauss.

As part of the programme the athletes are required to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice so all lectures end with a practical session.  “Instant gratification came from the cycling advice we received on pedaling.  When I got onto the bike after our lecture I immediately noticed a difference,” said Strauss, a competitive cyclist. 

It was then into the swimming pool and the focus was on techniques on how to shave seconds off times by turning effectively.

The final day of the programme will be a mini Olympics which will take place on Friday, 10 August.

SOUTH AFRICANS AT THE POWERADE SPORTS ACADEMY LEARN THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND SPORT FROM NBA STAR, JOHN AMEACHI – AND THEN IT WAS ONTO THE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL FIELDS!

The athletes at the Powerade Sports Academy spent part of Day 3 in the lecture hall learning the psychology behind being an Olympian.

Powerade, the Official Sports Drink of the London 2012 Olympic Games, is giving sports fans from around the world insight into how to ‘Train Like An Olympian’ at the Powerade Sport Academy.  The opportunity is part of the Powerade drive to give amateur athletes, who live and breathe sport every day, an opportunity to improve their own performance.

For financial accounting lecturer at Unisa in Tshwane, Frank Montgomery, it was a different experience as he was a student for a change.  “Today was of particular interest to me,” said the 44 year old lecturer.  “When I looked through our programme before I left South Africa it was the psychology behind how to cope with the trials and tribulations of becoming an Olympian that intrigued me and the lecture by John Ameachi did not disappoint me.”

“Not only did he give us insight on how Olympians focus, but he was inspirational and motivating for us amateurs.  It was fascinating to listen to his journey to the big league and the message that he delivered to us all was that you should always believe in yourself.  I will refer to this great man in all my lectures back home,” said Montgomery.

It was then onto the football field where they learnt some training techniques that are specifically relevant to the game.  “Powerade Team SA got onto the pitch and showed some silky skills – sadly no scouts were there to notice us, but that will be their loss,” laughed Montgomery.

After football came basketball, a sport none of the South Africans had ever had insight into.  “We had such fun ‘shooting some hoop’.  There is much more technique to this game than I ever imagined - our constant fumbling of the ball was proof of this.  Being in education I believe this game should be promoted at a young age to teach kids ball skills and coordination,” said Montgomery.

Day 4 will include a trip to the Olympics where the amateur athletes from around the world will be looking at the Olympians in a different light, which will give a much needed rest for all the aching muscles.

Powerade on the field of play and at the Olympic Athletes’ Village

As Official Sports Drink of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Powerade will be front and center at London 2012, hydrating more than 10,000 athletes across 26 sports on the field of play both in training and game venues. In addition to providing product on the field of play, the ‘Powerade Hydration Center’ inside the Globe at the Olympic Athletes’ Village will allow athletes to customize their own Powerade Sports Bottles, order the Powerade PRO Sports Hydration powder and get hydration tips to help them perform.

POWERADE LAUNCHES THE POWERADE SPORTS ACADEMY WITH JOHN AMAECHI AND MECHELLE LEWIS FREEMAN

Powerade, the Official Sports Drink of the London 2012 Olympic Games, is offering athletes from around the world the unique opportunity to train with professional athletes and coaches at the Powerade Sports Academy during London 2012. Six South Africans will attend this once in a lifetime experience after entering the Powerade Train Like an Olympian competitions that have been running over the past couple of months.

As part of the Powerade “Train Like an Olympian” campaign for London 2012, the amateur athletes who live and breathe sports every day will attend the week long Academy. Specialist coaches and athletes including Olympic Athlete and former World Champion Mechelle Lewis Freeman (US), NBA basketball star John Amaechi (GB) and Great Britain’s head Olympic swimming coach Ben Titley (GB) will tailor sessions to strengthen and condition participants to become better all-round athletes.

The Powerade Sports Academy will focus on teaching skills in five different Olympic sports – athletics, swimming, football, cycling and basketball – and will include a program of inspirational lectures and tips on training and hydration, as well as meals designed specifically for the Academy by leading nutritionist Beatriz Boullosa.

Rockefeller Phillips from KZN (44) could not believe his luck when he was told he had won.  “I was driving at the time and had to control myself to prevent an accident.  What a lifetime opportunity this is.  I will be participating in as many activities as possible for as many sporting codes as possible and I plan to come back and go into the townships and rural areas to teach the kids what I learnt.”

John Knapton (66,) who is retired and living in Vereeniging, will be looking at the experience in a different way. “Firstly, my son is extremely envious of me and believes he should be the one to go as he is so much younger.  What I want to gain from the experience is to have fun and meet as many people from different parts of the world as possible. I played interprovincial soccer and Varsity hockey in my day so am curious to see how athletes now days prepare, not just for the Olympics, but for any event.”

John Amaechi comments, “The Powerade Sports Academy is designed to give people who are passionate about sport a taste of life as a world class athlete. Coaches step in at that moment when athletes hit the wall and think they can’t go on. You could say that Powerade provides a similar type of motivation - helping to push athletes from breaking point to breaking through. I’m looking forward to meeting the participants and coaching them to be the best they can be at the Academy this summer.”

Powerade on the field of play and at the Olympic Athletes’ Village

As Official Sports Drink of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Powerade will be front and center at London 2012, hydrating more than 10,000 athletes across 26 sports on the field of play both in training and game venues. In addition to providing product on the field of play, the ‘Powerade Hydration Center’ inside the Globe at the Olympic Athletes’ Village will allow athletes to customize their own Powerade Sports Bottles, order the Powerade PRO Sports Hydration powder and get hydration tips to help them perform.

POWERADE LAUNCHES THE POWERADE SPORTS ACADEMY WITH JOHN AMAECHI AND MECHELLE LEWIS FREEMAN

Powerade, the Official Sports Drink of the London 2012 Olympic Games, is offering athletes from around the world the unique opportunity to train with professional athletes and coaches at the Powerade Sports Academy during London 2012. Six South Africans will attend this once in a lifetime experience after entering competitions that have been running over the past couple of months.

As part of the Powerade “Train Like an Olympian” campaign for London 2012, the amateur athletes who live and breathe sports every day will attend the week long Academy. Specialist coaches and athletes including Olympic Athlete and former World Champion Mechelle Lewis Freeman (US), NBA basketball star John Amaechi (GB) and Great Britain’s head Olympic swimming coach Ben Titley (GB) will tailor sessions to strengthen and condition participants to become better all-round athletes.

The Powerade Sports Academy will focus on teaching skills in five different Olympic sports – athletics, swimming, football, cycling and basketball – and will include a program of inspirational lectures and tips on training and hydration, as well as meals designed specifically for the Academy by leading nutritionist Beatriz Boullosa.

Rockefeller Phillips from KZN (44) could not believe his luck when he was told he had won.  “I was driving at the time and had to control myself to prevent an accident.  What a lifetime opportunity this is.  I will be participating in as many activities as possible for as many sporting codes as possible and I plan to come back and go into the townships and rural areas to teach the kids what I learnt.”

John Knapton (66,) who is retired and living in Vereeniging, will be looking at the experience in a different way. “Firstly, my son is extremely envious of me and believes he should be the one to go as he is so much younger.  What I want to gain from the experience is to have fun and meet as many people from different parts of the world as possible. I played interprovincial soccer and Varsity hockey in my day so am curious to see how athletes now days prepare, not just for the Olympics, but for any event.”

John Amaechi comments, “The Powerade Sports Academy is designed to give people who are passionate about sport a taste of life as a world class athlete. Coaches step in at that moment when athletes hit the wall and think they can’t go on. You could say that Powerade provides a similar type of motivation - helping to push athletes from breaking point to breaking through. I’m looking forward to meeting the participants and coaching them to be the best they can be at the Academy this summer.”

Powerade on the field of play and at the Olympic Athletes’ Village
As Official Sports Drink of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Powerade will be front and center at London 2012, hydrating more than 10,000 athletes across 26 sports on the field of play both in training and game venues. In addition to providing product on the field of play, the ‘Powerade Hydration Center’ inside the Globe at the Olympic Athletes’ Village will allow athletes to customize their own Powerade Sports Bottles, order the Powerade PRO Sports Hydration powder and get hydration tips to help them perform.

Powerade gives local athlete a chance to ‘Train like an Olympian’

Eugene Strauss from Gauteng, one of the Old Mutual Two Oceans runners, won a trip to the London 2012 Olympic Games where he will ‘Train Like an Olympian’ at the Powerade Sports Academy from 5 - 10 August. 

Strauss won the once in a lifetime experience after entering the Powerade ‘Train like an Olympian’ competition at the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Expo. It is not often that someone from the public gets a chance to experience exactly what it is like to be an Olympian. 

“This is an amazing opportunity,” said an excited Strauss who has never been to London.  “I have been an enthusiastic sportsman throughout my life, excelling in the 100m sprint, and played rugby and cricket at Club level. To get the opportunity to train with an Olympic coach as well as meet Olympic athletes is a dream come true. I will also experience the spirit, atmosphere and excitement of an Olympics and perhaps get to meet my favourite athlete, Usain Bolt.”

The 33 year old Accountant, who is married with two young children, started running marathons three years ago.  This year’s Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon was his first and he has identified the New York and London Marathons as races he would like to conquer at some stage.

The Powerade Sports Academy allows athletes a chance to meet and train with Olympic coaches and athletes, focusing on skills in five different Olympic sports including athletics, swimming, football, cycling and basketball.

The coaches will tailor make sessions using techniques from these sports to strengthen condition and help the participants become better all round Sportspeople.

The Academy will deliver experiences and learning’s in technique, fitness, team work, competition, hydration, nutrition and psychology.

Specifically, throughout the Academy the participants will be educated on hydration and how hydrating correctly with Powerade can optimize performance.  There will be both physical and psychological tests carried out throughout the experience to help put these learning’s into perspective.

“Powerade is a performance sports drink, and as such, everything we do around our sporting assets ties back to a scientific approach to hydration and exercise,” said Craig van Niekerk, Coca-Cola South Africa Marketing Assets Manager.”