Dr Suzanne on successful IPC World Champs : 2015-11-18
After the successful IPC Athletics World Champs in Doha for athletes from Maties coach Dr. Suzanne Ferreira answered a few of Maties High Performance unit’s questions.
- What was your highlight?
“There were several highlights and I think every athlete who achieved his/her goal, as well as the growth they show, is a highlight. There are really too many to mention. We were so blessed at the championships with performances, team spirit and individual growth. ”
- Did you achieve the desired goals?
“Yes, definitely. Goals ranged for each person based on where they are in their career. I’m honest when I say that we could tick off a goal achieved for every athlete.”
- Ilse Hayes was until recently injured. Did you think she would do so well?
“Ilse’s injury was very untimely. We trusted in the processes that the team around her put in place to make her competitive for a gold medal. At the beginning of the year we hoped to improve two world records. With the injury, we had to reconsider. One of the outcomes for Ilse was making sure she enjoyed it and brings hope to others. By winning two gold medals after the injury, I know that she was deeply grateful and filled with joy for the outcome.”
- How would you describe the last year and how important was it for Rio2016?
“Every season has its ups and downs, but it’s a continuing journey with each athlete. For me it was a season where we put in place several methodologies for each athlete to assess how it works for everyone. I’m sure we learnt many applications from the season that we as a team can apply with the athletes to reach a new level of performance in Rio.
“The world championships have shown that we are on the right path, but the number of records showed that it is still a growing sport and that we will have to improve to keep up. I will summarize the past year as a journey with many challenges, but we conclude with deep gratitude, full of hope for the future.”
AFRIKA
Na afloop van die suksesvolle IPC Wêreldbyeenkoms vir Maties se Paralimpiese atlete het die span se afrigter Dr. Suzanne Ferreira ‘n paar van die Maties se Hoë Prestasie-eenheid se vrae beantwoord.
- Wat was vir jou die hoogtepunte?
“Daar was verskeie hoogtepunte en ek dink elke atleet wat sy doel bereik, sowel as die groei wat hulle toon, is ‘n hoogtepunt. Daar is regtig te veel om te noem. Ons was so geseend by die kampioenskapsbyeenkoms wat prestasies, spangees en individuele groei betref.”
- Het julle die verwagte doelwitte bereik?
“Ja, definitief. Doelwitte het gewissel vir elke persoon gebasseer op waar hulle in hul loopbaan is. Ek is eerlik as ek se dat ons by elke atleet ‘n regmerkie agter doelwitte bereik kon sit.”
- Ilse Hayes was tot onlangs beseer. Het jy gedink sy sal so goed vaar?
“Ilse se besering het op ‘n ontydige tyd gebeur. Ons het egter vertrou dat die prosesse wat die span rondom haar in plek gesit het, haar op ‘n plek gaan bring waar sy kompeterend sou wees vir die goue medalje. Aan die begin van die jaar het ons gehoop om twee Wêreldrekords te vebeter. Met die besering moes ons dit heroorweeg. Een van die uitkomste vir Ilse was om met vreugde te gaan deelneem en hoop te bring vir ander. Deur twee goue medaljes te wen na die besering weet ek dat sy diep dankbaar en vol vreugde vir die uitkoms was.”
- Hoe sal jy die afgelope seisoen beskryf en hoe belangrik was dit met die oog op Rio2016?
“Elke seisoen het sy hoogte- en laagtepunte, maar dit is ‘n voortdurende reis saam met elke atleet. Vir my was dit ‘n seisoen waar ons verskeie metodologie vir elke atleet in plek gesit het om te evalueer hoe dit vir elkeen werk. Ek is seker ons het baie toepassings geleer uit die seisoen; wat ons as ‘n span saam met die atlete kan toepas om ‘n nuwe vlak van prestasie te kan bereik in Rio.
“Die wêreldbyeenkoms het getoon dat ons op die regte pad is, maar die hoeveelheid rekords het getoon dat dit nog steeds ‘n vining groeiende sport is en dat ons teen dieselfde pas sal moet verbeter om by te bly. Ek sal die afgelope jaar opsom as ‘n reis met vele uitdagings (elke atleet het uitdagings gehad op die reis), maar een wat ons met diepe dankbaarheid afsluit, vol hoop vir die toekoms.”