Pole Vault Juniors Win All School Titles

The youngest members of Alex Parnov’s Western Australian Institute of Sport pole vault program have made a bright impact after winning respective age titles at the Australian All School Athletics Championships in Hobart last weekend.

Young WAIS scholarship holders Nina Kennedy (U18) and Emma Philippe (U16) who are coached by Taryn Neville and assisted by 2010 Australian Commonwealth Games representative Amanda Bisk, proved too good in their age groups at this year’s All School Championships in Tasmania, with both girls impressing in trying competition conditions on the Apple Isle.

Kennedy sailed over at 3.70m to win the girls’ U18 competition ahead of Victorians Verity Cooper (3.60m) and Madeline Lawson (3.45m), whilst Philippe was emphatic in victory, clearing a joint competition record of 3.80m to win the girls U16 event ahead of the next best competitor at 3.10m, in NSW’s Elizabeth Baral.

Parnov – who oversees the WAIS program and coaches the senior athlete group – suggested the result would create a strong platform for Kennedy and Philippe as they aim for World Youth selection in 2013, and paid credit to the athletes’ service team out of WAIS.

“It’s a great achievement for Nina and Emma, and a good stepping stone for both girls in preparation towards to World Youth Championship next year,” he said.

“I’d like to congratulate Taryn Nevill (coach), Gil Barnit (strength and conditioning), Amanda Bisk (coach) and Chris Perkin (physio) who all played a significant role in the girls’ preparation.”

The results have seen both girls earn qualifying standards for the 2013 Australian Youth Olympic Festival, with an announcement on team selection expected this week.