INDIANAPOLIS - The USA Track & Field Foundation has awarded a grant to the USATF Youth Hammer Throw Development Program, Chairman Bob Greifeld and Executive Director Tom Jackovic announced Monday. The program is spearheaded by Harold Connolly, a four-time Olympian, 1956 Olympic gold medalist, former world record holder and National Track & Field Hall of Famer.
The award of $7,500 per year for four years will support training grants for up-and-coming 13-17 year old youths, and could also be used to defray travel and room and board costs at a one-week camp for top male and female throwers.
The Hammer Development program had perhaps its greatest moment when in 2008 Walter Henning and Conor McCullough won gold and silver at the World Junior Championships. Both athletes had been involved in the program since they were 13 years old.
"Harold has combined coaching hammer throwers in his hometown with disseminating his knowledge of the event at national throws coaches clinics and youth throwers camps," said Foundation Director Paul Lilly. "His hands-on coaching skills, his reputation and even his authoritative DVD all have helped advance hammer throwing in the U.S."
"I appreciate greatly the USATF Foundation's approval of our grant application for the continuing development of American youth hammer throwing," said Connolly. "The Foundation's approval is an affirmation of the dedicated volunteer efforts of Bob Gourley and Bonnie Edmondson, my indispensable colleagues in this venture, and an increasing legion of other dedicated volunteers across the country advocating, supporting and giving personal time for the advancement of youth hammer throwing."
Ken Flax, two-time Olympic hammer thrower and Foundation Director, is also pleased with the progress of the initiative. "When you introduce young athletes to the hammer throw in their early teens and you add the passion, experience and knowledge of a coach like Harold Connolly, you have the recipe for success on the world level."
Inquiries regarding the USATF Youth Hammer Throw Development Program may be directed to Harold Connolly at connollyharold@gmail.com.
The USATF Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track and field programs with an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth athletes, emerging elite athletes, distance training centers and anti-doping education. Each year, the Foundation awards more than half a million dollars in grants and other support. The Foundation depends upon donations from its Board of Directors and from generous fans of track & field.
For more information or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit http://www.usatffoundation.org
About USA Track & Field
USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.
For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org
No comments:
Post a Comment