The MattyB DEPT stable is gearing up for a big summer ahead starting off with the Tasmanian Athletic League (TAL) events over the Christmas/New Year period.
After some great success last year highlighted with Brendan Cole’s very close victory in the Burnie Gift the crew, including some new faces, are keen to make their way down to the apple isle.
This year the following athletes will be attending the carnival:
Lauren Boden
Melissa Breen
Ollie Wurm
Brandan Galic
Chloe Jamieson
Rachael Carnegie
Luke Storta
Grant Billingham
Also on the track today was the very pleasing sight of Brandan Galic running some reps with new recruit Alex Carew.
Squad captain Brendan Cole is also back into full training and today received the coveted “Spew Jersey” after serving up his lunch to the grass after running some solid 200m reps.
On a hot and fast day at Queanbeyan Park the MBD crew had a successful day at the Queanbeyan Gift.
The most exciting part of the day was the emergence of the talent coming through the junior squads and into the Breen senior squad.
15 year old Nathan McNab, coached by Melissa Breen, and a product of the FIt4FUN program claimed his first sash in the Open 70m event. He also finished a close second in the Novice 120m race.
In other events Jesse Matthews ran extremely well to make it through to the final just knocking out Jaryd Cowley in the semi final. Brendan Matthews also ran well in the semi final to just miss a final spot.
Melissa Breen ran well all day to finish a close 5th in the final of the Women’s Gift and 3rd in the Women’s Back markers both of scratch.
Olympians Lauren Boden and Melissa Breen have been actively out and about the Canberra community promoting athletics since returning from the London Olympic Games.
Both Lauren and Melissa are proud products of ACT Little Athletics and Athletics ACT and take great pleasure in encouraging the next generation of athletes.
Today Lauren was at the ACT Little Athletics multi-event carnival where hundreds of kids lined up for their minute with her. She signed everything from shirts to shoes to hats and cards and many photos were taken by parents.
“Your my idol” was heard from one very excited kid.
Many of the athletes are already luck enough to have regular contact with Lauren and Melissa as part of FIT4FUN. Both girls are level 3 qualified coaches and run regular sessions during the week.
There are still spots available in the squads so be sure to sign up today.
MattyB DEPT. (MBD) 