Every year, the Association of Independent Co-Educational Schools (AICES) holds athletics competitions across NSW.
Participants in events including shot put, discus, javelin and long jump compete towards regional, state and national finals.
In 2023, Anthony and Jonny, two students from Youth Off The Streets high schools, were excited to take part in the regional AICES championships.
Anthony recently completed his HSC exams, while Jonny is about to graduate from Year 10. Both students share a passion for athletics.
Anthony’s parents – two former state athletes – have encouraged him to compete in throwing events since he was five years old.
“I’ve never done ‘real’ athletics or had my own professional coach. But when I was younger, my mum and dad took me out to the park to train me,” he says.
Thanks to his parents’ influence, Anthony developed a strong interest in discus and shot put – and was motivated to hone his natural athletic abilities.
“I can throw a discus between 40 and 45 metres. And while shot put isn’t my favourite event, since you need a lot of strength, my personal best is about 14 metres.”
Anthony took his extracurricular training very seriously throughout high school. But after experiencing a mental health crisis, he transitioned from the public education system to Youth Off The Streets’ Chapel School in Merrylands.
“Chapel School is definitely better when it comes to getting support from the teachers and staff members,” Anthony says of his alternative education experience.
“I have Ebony, Mr T., Rachel and all the teachers behind me at Chapel and the Step Up program. They have my back and they’re proud of me.”
According to Anthony, the Youth Off The Streets staff are just as supportive of Jonny – who “sailed through the competition last year” and placed first in shot put.
Jonny’s road to Nationals began when he enrolled at Chapel School two years ago.
“It’s better than mainstream school – everything’s better,” Jonny says. “They just help you with stuff, and I still get to do all the subjects. Like PDHPE.”
Alongside Personal Development, Health and Physical Education classes, Chapel School students can access a comprehensive sporting program. They receive swimming lessons and self-defence classes, as well as the opportunity to compete in the Raw Challenge obstacle course event and sporting gala days.
Like Anthony, Jonny appreciates the encouragement he has received from Chapel School staff.
“They just keep on supporting and helping me and they even gave me a free shot put ball,” Jonny says of the teachers-turned-chaperones who have driven him to AICES meets.
Chapel School has also helped connect Jonny with an athletics coach, enabled him to participate in Duke of Edinburgh (a program proudly supported by Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club) – and provided access to the Cycle of Courage program.
Endlessly proud of these sporting achievements, Jonny’s family attend his events and motivate him to improve a personal best of around 16 metres.
“I do training with my coach, but mostly with my aunty, my mum, my sister and my brothers,” Jonny shares.
“I go to the gym, throw a lot of shot puts and lift a lot of weights.”
Jonny believes that this regime allowed him to win last year’s AICES shot put competition.
“I guess I just enjoy it and I’m used to it. Plus, I like carrying heavy stuff,” he laughs.
The pair have struck up a friendship through their sport at Chapel School, with Anthony even coaching Jonny several times throughout 2022.
“Jonny is the definition of someone who is naturally talented,” Anthony says.
“I’m so proud of him and I see him doing bigger and better things – like possibly winning Nationals.”
This year, Jonny aimed to defend his title at the regional competition. He was ecstatic to achieve this goal.
As he prepares to complete Year 10 and advance to the next level of AICES, Jonny recommends that other aspiring athletes “just try their best”.
“Your best is always good enough.”
Anthony agrees, although he himself was disappointed not to qualify for Nationals.
Anthony will focus on his next challenges instead – acquiring his security license and applying for the Australian Defence Force.
He also intends to find an athletics coach, as well as other discus and shot-put competitions he can enter.
“Don’t take on the pressure from other people. Just run your own race,” Anthony advises.
“If you don’t do as well as you’d like, keep your head held high and push for better next time.”
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