Emerging Nations Athletes head home from Perth
Emerging sailors from countries such as Colombia, Peru, Moldova and Malta had been in Perth for two weeks of intensive sailing training and theory workshops under the expert guidance of Perth 2011 coaches Belinda Stowell and Arthur Brett.
Andrew Lewis of Trinidad and Tobago was one of the eleven participants. He spoke of his gratitude to the Perth 2011 ENP for giving him a second life in sailing after failing to realise his Olympic dream in 2008.
“After I missed out by three spots for qualifying for the Beijing Olympics I basically had put everything into that so I had lost a lot of hope,” Lewis said.
“I come from a country where sailing is not very strong and I kind of wanted to give up.”
After taking a year away from competitive sailing, Lewis said he didn’t think offers he received to be part of the ENP were legitimate, but he was forever thankful they turned out to be real.
“When I came to the second Emerging Nations camp it was just incredible to me, arriving here and all the way to the end of the camp I couldn’t believe this was possible, this was happening. “
“You all have a slogan (at Perth 2011) The Dream Begins in Perth and immediately my eyes opened up and I said ‘Oh. My dream is going begin in Perth’. So this Emerging Nations Programme has done so much for me and I am so thankful to not only my fellow competitors who are now my friends, my coaches, the Australian government, Perth 2011 ….. my heart to you all, thank you very much for all you have given to me. “
Federal Member for Fremantle Melissa Parke represented the Federal Minister for Sport, Senator Mark Arbib, at a farewell morning tea for the athletes at the Fremantle Sailing Club. Addressing the athletes, she wished them well in their sailing between now and December, and thanked them for their participation in the ENP.
“How fantastic it is to have here in Fremantle 11 emerging young sailing athletes from all different parts of the world,” Ms Parke said.
“The Australian government is very happy to support the West Australian Government in staging the 2011 Sailing World Championships, including the Emerging Nations Programme, which is an extremely important part of the build up to that event.
“The Emerging Nations Programme is an important initiative because it has provided the opportunity for young emerging sailors from around the world to come to Western Australia and learn the skills and the training methods needed to compete internationally and it’s also helped Western Australian young sailors by allowing them to train alongside you.”
“The skills and knowledge learned over the past few weeks and in previous camps by those of you who have participated in the Emerging Nations Programme will I’m sure help you towards your goals of representing your countries at the world championships and the Olympic Games,” Ms Parke said.
For further information on the athletes who participated in the Sixth Emerging Nations Camp, please click the link below.
ENP Camp 6 Athlete Profiles