Ten talented youngsters have been chosen for the Academy Otago "talent xcelerator" 2010 development programme.
The two-year programme, offered through Academy Southland, Academy Otago and Academy Canterbury, aims to bridge the gap between up-and-coming athletes and the standards required at the high-performance level, fast-tracking them on a performance pathway.
Its successes include New Zealand discus champion Marshall Hall, from Dunedin, and Invercargill cyclist Tom Scully.
Scully won two gold medals at a world cup meeting in Melbourne in November.
Topics include sports psychology, lifestyle management, nutrition, strength and conditioning and a mentoring programme where successful athletes shared their stories.
The programme also provides support to coaches with seminars on topics ranging from effective programme planning to using technology to benefit their high-performance programmes.
Athletes are selected based on performance and their potential to achieve at the highest level within their sport.
This year's intake includes a golfer, several promising cyclists and athletes and a basketballer.
Academy Otago 2010 athletes: Duncan Croudis (golf), Shaun Scott (bowls), Sophie Williamson, Alyshia Keith, Matthew Archibald (cycling), Matthew Glassford (swimming), Guy Archibald, Rebecca Greene (athletics), Rebecca Grant (triathlon), Thomas Rowe (basketball).
