Coach Ward Listed for Rio Role

WAIS athletics coach Grant Ward has been announced as one of nine coaches appointed by Athletics Australia to support the country’s track and field stars at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Ward was listed as javelin coach for the Australian team and will work with the selected group of Australian athletes competing in the event in Rio this August.

Athletics Australia High Performance Director Simon Nathan said the work towards ensuring Australia’s athletes are ready to shine in Rio would begin now.

“Congratulations to the nine coaches appointed. The role of Team Coach is a great honour and this invitation is a reflection of the huge personal investment these individuals have made to our sport,” Simon Nathan, Athletics Section Team Leader, said.

“The role requires our team coaches to remain in constant contact with the selected and shadow squad athletes and their personal coaches in their allocated events, updating the Head Coach on their planning and progress. They will attend to the staging camp in Florida and, subject to final athlete selections, be with the Australian team in Rio.”

Ward received the WAIS Coach of the Year Award in 2013 and has performed coaching duties with the Australian Flame previously at Olympic, Commonwealth and World Championship level.