The Department of Sport and Recreation is offering a series of free education sessions designed to improve the physical development and competency of junior athletes.

Higher, Faster, Stronger 2015 (HFS15) will expose participants to best practice coaching methods to create training environments that build superior skills and develop mentally tough athletes.

The Manager, Regional and Club Development Narelle Gosstray said that while HSF15 has a focus on junior sport, the workshops will benefit all coaches and those interested in athlete development in general.

“Participants will hear about current best practice coaching methods across a range of topics. The methods are practical to implement into any coaching environment and can be applied throughout the different stages of an athlete’s development,” she said.

“The sessions are open to coaches, club officials and any others with an interest in athlete development, including athletes themselves, who are involved in sport at any level – whether it’s an under-6 team, a local club team or a representative squad.

“The Northern Territory has a solid history of producing elite sportspeople and these workshops will help improve the sporting experience and development of Territory athletes.”

This is the third year the Department of Sport and Recreation will host Higher, Stronger, Faster workshops. Last year, 168 coaches, club officials and athletes took part across the Territory.

Key speakers for this year’s event include Russell Parsons OAM, who has worked extensively in the area of athlete development; Andy Thompson from the United Football Academy in the USA; Derek Panchuk, a skill acquisition expert with the Australian Institute of Sport, as well as a number of NT Institute of Sport staff.

Participants can attend the full-day schedule or sessions that are most relevant to them. The free workshops will be held in:

Darwin 20 and 21 February, Michael Long Learning & Leadership Centre TIO Stadium, Abala Rd, Marrara

Nhulunbuy 23 and 24 February, Walkabout Lodge, 12 Westal Street, Nhulunbuy (3-6pm session at Nhulunbuy Town Swimming Centre, Westal Street)

Alice Springs 27 and 28 February, The Andy McNeil Room Alice Springs Town Council office, Todd Street

Tennant Creek 2 and 3 March, Venue to be confirmed

Katherine 2 and 3 March, YMCA Katherine, Henry Scott Recreation Centre, Stuart Highway (3-6pm session at Katherine Aquatic Centre, Stuart Highway).

For more information or to register for HFS15, go to: http://www.sportandrecreation.nt.gov.au or call 1800 045 678. Registrations close on Monday 16 February.

Media inquiries to Andrea Allen 0401 119467