Athletics PNG has published its training squad for the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby which includes 35 male and 28 female athletes. Together with a development squad of 35 athletes
In releasing the squad list Secretary Philip Rehder stressed that the training squad list is by no means the final team and selection was still open to any athlete who comes up with the required performance. The Athletics PNG Selection Policy has also been published along with the qualifying standards and these documents can be found by clicking the links below.
The reason for the two squads is that there are a number of up and coming athletes who have not yet reached the performance level required and APNG does not want to raise expectations. Those in the development squad are considered to have the potential to make the team but need to show a strong training commitment and improved performance over the next six months. The Pacific Games squad consists mostly of established members of the national team and those on the fringe . “These are the athletes who will be provided with training assistance, but no ones place in the final team is guaranteed” said Rehder. “All athletes will be expected to meet the qualifying criteria and should familiarise themselves with this”. The squads will be reviewed after the PNG Games next month. Athletics PNG also moved to re assure younger athletes that they are not being overlooked. Rehder said that Athletics PNG has taken note of many good performances this year and a junior development squad would soon be named. “At the moment our priority is the Pacific Games but the Junior development will continue” he said.
Last Modified on 12/10/2014 23:12