Nunawading Spectres Under 12 Girls Athlete Development Program
In the lead-up to Christmas, SRA had the pleasure of running a 6-week athlete development program with the Nunawading Spectres Under 12 Girls, and what an incredible group of athletes they were.
At a time of year filled with commitments, end of year fatigue, and Christmas excitement, these athletes showed up with energy, determination, and a genuine desire to improve.
What We Worked On Across the 6 Weeks
The goal of this program wasn’t just to make the girls fitter, it was to give them the foundations to move well, stay healthy, and build confidence in their bodies as they continue to grow and develop.
Across the block, athletes were introduced to:
- Effective warm-up routines Learning why we warm up, not just how – preparing the body for training and games.
- Injury prevention strategies Simple habits that reduce risk of injury as bodies grow and sport demands increase.
- Introduction to strength training: strength, speed, power, movement and injury prevention strategies designed to reduce injuries and maximise performance.
- Resilience And Leadership Safe, age-appropriate strength movements with an emphasis on technique and control.
- Running mechanics Improving posture, technique, and coordination to move faster and more efficiently.
- Lateral movement & agility skills Developing the ability to decelerate, re-accelerate, and move confidently in all directions.
- Resilience & confidence building Encouraging effort, consistency, and belief – even when things felt challenging.
A Huge Thank You
This program wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of Coach Jenny Dekoning, a long-time SRA parent who helped organise and support the program from start to finish.
We are incredibly grateful for Jenny’s trust, effort, and commitment to give these girls an opportunity to learn and grow in a positive, rewarding environment.
To the Team, thank you for the effort you brought every single session, especially during such a busy time of year. Your attitude made this program a pleasure to run, even with all the complaining during our core finishers!
Shaun Atkins
Director – SRA Sports Therapy