After reporting in our last column over the offers by the Illawarra Academy of Sport to Patrick Mitchell and Charlize Colwell into the Academy's para athletics program we learn of Karlee Symonds receiving a cash grant from Commonwealth Games Australia to put towards her development and training programs.

This amazing athlete falls under the T11 category, which translates to being severely visually impaired, with less than 10% visual capacity.

When this brave individual competes in any track events she has to run with a guide who has to be tethered to her with a strap and start and run at the pace she is running.

The coordination process is very exacting and requires a considerable amount of training together with the guide to attain faster speeds.

We put a few questions to Karlee to get an idea on how she handles being a highly competitive T11 runner

Congratulations Karlee on receiving The Commonwealth games grant. What was the grant for?

I am classified as a T11 athlete which is the class for individuals who have the most severe visual impairments.

I think the grant is targeted at helping athletes access materials and supports they might need which will assist with one day gaining selection onto an Australian team.

I can't actually compete in the next Commonwealth games as there are no T11 events offered.

What has happened lately in your athletics world Karlee?

I got selected for the NSW Targeted Talent Program based on my state and national performances.

My best times last season for the 100 included 14.27 at the New South Wales open championships and 14.31 at the Coles summer super series competition in Canberra. I am lucky to have been able to train in lockdown.

I am now training with local coaches at AZ athletics at Cambewarra and I train around three times a week. I have found two guides who are really good down here. Currently at training I am focusing on improving my balance, speed, technique and overall strength.

It has been really good to focus on specific components which will allow me to improve and hopefully gain more PBs in seasons to come. I am really enjoying training at the moment and I'm so grateful to have a network of people supporting me.

I have been working with my guide dog Olympia for seven months and we have created such a special bond with each other. Due to Covid, it has been difficult, as restrictions have prevented us from learning new locations together.

Prior to lockdown Olympia would come with me to university and help guide me to all of my different classrooms and labs. I have been doing a little work with Guide Dogs NSW to help promote the work they do to the wider community.

I recently filmed a video of Olympia and I and spoke about how Olympia has been life changing for me.

So you mentioned The University of Wollongong, what are you doing there?

I am studying a Bachelor of medical and health science at UOW. I am almost finished my first year and I hope to complete a master in genetic counselling after this degree

Thanks Karlee. Athletics Wollongong is behind you in your quest for Australian and International competition. We wish you all the best in your endeavours.

To be successful at many sports these days, a competitor not only needs to be familiar with the fundamentals of that sport but also needs to be capable of coping with the speed, endurance and agility requirements of that sport.

Athletics is a sport whereby the cross fit benefits gained in competing and training also are applicable to the above three requirements of that sport.

Many of our juniors compete in another sport on top of their athletics commitments and have found that they start to perform far better at their second sport.

Some of our juniors compete in beach sports and at branch presentations a while back, a few of them were honoured for their achievements.

Our club wishes to congratulate the following.

In the South Coast Branch Surf Sports Awards for Excellence in 2020/21, Ginger Siasat was awarded the U10 athlete of the year award, Miller Siasat for the Under 12 athlete of the year and Sam Zustovich the athlete of the year

In the Illawarra Branch 2020/21 Junior Athlete awards a number of Greg Berrell's Velocity Squad trainees which included Kaitlynn Williams and Malea Ross were nominated in the list of finalists.

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