Palfery Takes Up High Performance Role
The Western Australian swimming High Performance Network Program (HPNP) has enlisted the services of highly regarded coach Michael Palfery to run a High Performance Training Program (HPTC) in Perth’s northern suburbs.
Palfery joins WAIS with an extensive record of high performance success, having been understudy to Michael Bohl at the Peters Western squad in Brisbane. Palfery will spearhead the high performance programs at the Arena (Joondalup) and Craigie Leisure Centre facilities. The Arena and Breakers swimming clubs based at those centres will underpin the HPTC. This will allow athletes that meet strict selection criteria to continue to train in their home environment, creating stronger pathways for junior athletes into the representative level.
The High Performance Training Centres (HPTC) will operate in small groups, targeting only elite athletes, allowing HPTC swimmers to maintain membership with their home clubs, reducing the number of talented WA swimmers forced to travel interstate in search of a high performance training environment.
The HPTC program is a WAIS initiative in partnership with Swimming Australia and Swimming WA and aims to create a network of high performance training centres, underpinned by strong local clubs, in strategically identified areas around the Perth metropolitan area.
One of the key aims of the HPNP is to create a stronger pathway for junior athletes into high performance programs, a consideration that has been met with support from both club presidents at Arena Joondalup and the Breakers Swimming Club in Craigie.
“It’s imperative that this program (HPTC) works in conjunction with the swimming clubs that underpin this and act as feeder clubs in the elite pathway,” Arena Club President Phil Wall said.
“I believe this is a structure that can take Western Australian swimming to a level of high performance that it hasn’t had in many years.”
“It’s a matter of everybody being on the same page, and we’re very keen to see it go well.” He said
Breakers Club President Helen Hull echoed Wall’s sentiments and suggested the high performance program created new opportunities for their members.
“This is an exciting opportunity for swimmers to join our club at a junior level and progress through to the Australian representative level which we see as a major bonus, and something we didn’t think we could deliver without a high performance program,” she said.
“The news has been received positively by our members, and our coaches are really looking forward to the development opportunities that it’s presented them.”
WAIS Swimmer Performance Manager Greg Hodge said the implementation of the HPTC initiative was a significant turning point for high performance swimming in this state.
“This program provides more choice for athletes who wish to progress their athletic careers beyond high school. Participating clubs and facilities now have a complete pathway to offer children who join their programs in the early stages of their development,” he said.
“Over time WA will have created training environments that truly cater for senior athletes who aspire to International success and wish to train with like minded athletes.”
“This program creates an opportunity for coaches who are committed to delivering International best practice coaching to WA’s best athletes.”