USA Weightlifting announced the launch of nationwide athlete development camps in an effort to identify the country’s rising stars within the sport.
Led by regional administrators, USA Weightlifting affiliated clubs will host two-day camps for athletes new to the sport.
Attendees will learn about Olympic disciplines and receive a 12-week program to aid them in their sports performance.
“This is a terrific opportunity to introduce people to the athletic benefits of Olympic Weightlifting,” USA Weightlifting director of program development Suzy Sanchez said.
“By holding these camps across the country, we will be able to identify and cultivate the future stars of our sport.”
Once local camps conclude, certain athletes will then be selected to participate in regional and national camps where coaches will evaluate their skill and potential.
Then, twice a year, a national development squad will be named.
The squad will consist of the top 10 athletes aged 17 and under along with the leading 10 junior and senior athletes.
The athlete development camp program is broken down into five regions across the United States.
“For me, the pathway to grow and develop the sport is looking outside our normal channels to find that special athlete,” region one administrator Chandler Walker said.
“I want to showcase it’s a great sport and how it can benefit athletes of any discipline or skill.”
As a region administrator, Walker will help recruit USA Weightlifting-affiliated clubs to host the camps as well as handle local-level questions about the events.
USA Weightlifting clubs can also earn cash rebates by hosting athlete development camps.
More information about the locations and dates of camps can be found here.
By Max Winters
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz.Â