Ferry trip for sports students

Blake Vanderwaude and Alanna Smith are two Umina residents who catch the Ettalong ferry service each day to travel to Narrabeen Sports High School on the Northern Beaches.

Both previously attended Umina Primary School and made the decision to attend Narrabeen because of the opportunity provided to train with elite coaches in the school's Targeted Sports Program (TSP).

Blake specialises in distance running and works with Ron Wyld who is a level three track and field coach employed by the school.

He has been in the program since he started at Narrabeen Sports High School in year 7 in 2001.

One of the benefits of this additional training has been that Blake has recently been selected in the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Emerging Athlete Program for distance running.

Blake has set his sights on qualifying for the World Youth Championships in 2005.

The training provided by the school from 7.45am to 9.45am was unavailable to him at his local high school.

Blake has made a commitment to catch the 6am ferry from Ettalong to Palm Beach, two mornings a week.

The ferry reaches Palm Beach at 6.30am and he catches a bus to arrive at the school by 7.15am.

Alanna is another aspiring athlete who is benefiting from Narrabeen's Targeted Sports Program.

She is currently in year 7 at the school and is in the touch football program.

She was introduced to the TSP program by Judy Malcolm, the school's touch football coach, at the Metropolitan North Primary Schools' Touch Football competition last year.

Judy is an experienced touch coach, having played for the State.

She is also a qualified PE teacher.

Alanna applied to Narrabeen Sports High School because she was interested in the Targeted Sports Program and the educational opportunities offered by the school.

Alanna has encouraged other Central Coast students to consider Narrabeen Sports High School as an option.

She is enjoying the Targeted Sports Program and is not finding the early travel a problem.

There are currently 10 students travelling across by ferry from Ettalong to Narrabeen Sports High School, seven of these are in the Targeted Sports Program.

If you would like further information on Narrabeen Sports High School, please contact the School on 9913 7820 or visit the school web site at www.narrabeensports.nsw.edu.au

Narrabeen Sports High School is having an Open Night on Wednesday, May 14, from 6pm to 9pm.

Lisa McHarg, Narrabeen High, April 1