Hemery to add hurdles to Scotland's progress. Former Olympic gold medallist David Hemery is the latest athletics legend to take on the role of mentor for a Bank of Scotland Specialist Squad.
Hemery, who this summer delivered a successful hurdles masterclass at Pitreavie, will take on the 5th in the Bank of Scotland Specialist Squad series - the David Hemery Hurdles Squad.
The Gloucestershire born athlete won 400m hurdles gold in Mexico City in 1968, setting a new world record - 48.12s.
He will join Tommy Boyle, Liz McColgan, Allan Wells and Alan Bertram, who currently mentor middle-distance, endurance, sprints and hammer development squads respectively.
Piotr Haczek, National Sprints and Hurdles Manager, said: "A large number of athletes and coaches attended David's hurdles masterclass weekend, and the communication and interaction between him, the athletes and coaches was excellent. We are now looking forward to working with him longer-term."
David Hemery said: "Having recently had the opportunity to work at Pitreavie with a number of hurdle's coaches and athletes, I was impressed with the level of talent. I also delivered a two day mentoring workshop, which is the self-empowering style I will be using alongside passing on technical expertise. I am delighted to have been asked to continue to assist a squad of high potential young men and women and their coaches over the coming months, and to help them fulfil their dreams and potential."
Nigel Hetherington, scottishathletics Performance Development Manager said: "David is a true athletics icon. From his legendary performances as an Olympic Gold medallist and world record breaker in Mexico 1968, to being elected the first President of UK Athletics 30 years later, plus many successful years as a coach and professional business mentor, he is unquestionably the whole package. He will bring unprecedented inspiration and motivation to coaches and athletes along with knowledge, skills and experience in spades."
The inaugural David Hemery hurdles Squad session is due to be held at Grangemouth in November. A maximum of 15 athletes and personal coaches will be receiving personal invitations to join the squad within the next two weeks - and a high uptake is expected. Future plans include further squad days and a week-long residential training camp in England in 2008.
For further information:
Katy Anderson: Media and Communications Officer, scottishathletics
t: 0870 145 1514
m: 0777 352 9336
e: katy.anderson@scottishathletics.org.uk
w: www.scottishathletics.org.uk
Katy Anderson
Media and Communications Officer
scottishathletics
t: 0870 145 1514
m: 0777 352 9336
e: katy.anderson@scottishathletics.org.uk
The scottishathletics International Coaching Conference 2007 will be held on 17th November 2007, featuring Steve Backley OBE, Dr Frank Dick OBE, Bruce Longden and Fayyaz Ahmed. Don't miss out - book today by calling the credit card Hotline on 0870 145 1511 or download a form from www.scottishathletics.org.uk.
The scottishathletics Annual Awards Dinner will be held at Marriott Hotel, Glasgow on 17th November hosted by Kelly Dalglish, Guest of Honour Steve Backley OBE followed by entertainment from The William Marshall Ceilidh Band. Tickets £35 (members), £37 (non-members) available from Mary Anderson 0870 145 1504 or email: mary.anderson@scottishathletics.org.uk
