Athletics

The WAIS Athletics Program delivers the Western Australian component of the Athletics Australia High Performance Plan and specifically upholds the Strategic Priorities, which are:

• Provision of high performance coaching
• Optimising athlete performance on the day of competition
• Engagement through an event group focus
• Provision of world class daily training environments
• High performance leadership

WAIS offers the opportunity for athletes to gain athletics scholarships; by offering sport program scholarships in pole vault, while also supporting track and field athletes in other events through individual athlete support scholarships by achieving the selection criteria outlined in the Selection Guidelines, Criteria and Process.

Applications for 2024-25 scholarships are now open and close 28 April 2024. Current scholarship holders do not need to nominate.

WAIS scholarship athletes have access to the Performance Enhancement Team covering strength and conditioning and sport science and sports medicine services – physiology, psychology, biomechanics, sports nutrition and physiotherapy and support outside of sport through athlete wellbeing and engagement. Additionally, as the National Centre for pole vault, WAIS pole vault athletes have access to two full time coaches. WAIS offers a developmental training squad for junior pole vaulters who aspire to advance to the National Pole Vault Centre.

Furthermore, there are opportunities for coaches and athletes who are in the high performance pathway by involvement in the Target Talent Program. More information about the program can be found here.

Athletics is part of the WAIS Podium Performance Team under the leadership of the Performance Enhancement Director – Podium. WAIS coaching staff includes: James Fitzpatrick (Pole Vault), Danny Kevan (Track) and Grant Ward (Throws).

WAIS Scholarship Athletes

• Alexandra Griffin (Coach : Jared Talent)
• Cruz Hogan (Coach : Morgan Ward)
• Ella Pardy (Coach : Danny Kevan)
• Ellie Parsons (Coach : James Fitzpatrick)
• Etienne Rousseau (Coach : Didier Pope)
• Jack Downey (Coach : James Fitzpatrick)
• Jack Whiteside (Coach : Chelsea Whiteside)
• Jackson Hamilton (Coach : Morgan Ward)
• Kurtis Marschall (Coach : James Fitzpatrick)
• Madeline Lawson (Coach : James Fitzpatrick)
• Matthew Ramsden (Coach : Nic Bideau)
• Mia Gordon (Coach : Ben Thomson)
• Niamh Mac Alastair (Coach: Danny Kevan)
• Nina Kennedy (Coach : James Fitzpatrick)
• Olivia Dodds (Coach : Lyn Foreman)
• Olivia Gross (Coach : James Fitzpatrick)
• Rhiannon Clarke (Coach : Danny Kevan)
• Robert Marchesi-Scott (Coach: Grant Ward)
• Sarah Edmiston (Self coached)
• Taylah Cruttenden (Coach : Russell Mathanda)