On Camp with Kelly
Mentoring the next generation of champions
On Camp with Kelly athletes compete in a 1500m race at Crystal Palace
Before Kelly Holmes won her two gold medals in Athens 2004, she approached us to support an idea she had to mentor and educate the next generation of female middle distance runners. "On Camp with Kelly" was born and has since grown from strength to strength.
Kelly has run a series of educational and training camps in the UK and abroad, weekend get-togethers and exhibition races, and provides on-going advice and support for around 40 girls. All of this is aimed at showing aspiring athletes what it takes to become an international athlete and helping smooth the transition from the junior to the senior ranks.
The girls have enjoyed highlights such as a month-long educational and training camp in South Africa, warm weather training in Spain, an Army Challenge weekend, winter training in Melbourne during the Commonwealth Games and even an audience with Lord Sebastian Coe, inspiring them to focus on their long-term goals for 2012. "On Camp with Kelly" grants have been awarded to some of the athletes to help them train and compete whilst continuing their studies. One of the girls has even enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime, to train under Margo Jennings, the coach who guided Kelly to her two gold medals, in Oregon, USA.
In 2008 15 young male athletes were invited to become part of "On Camp with Kelly", and the first educational weekend purely for coaches was held as Kelly broadened the impact of the initiative.
Last year was a triumph for "On Camp with Kelly" athletes, with well over 150 personal bests set and 40 medals won at national championships by athletes involved in the initiative. Four OCWK athletes were selected to compete for the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland Team at the IAAF World Junior Championships with Emma Pallant winning a bronze medal in the 1500m. Another high achiever was Hannah England who only narrowly missed out on selection for the Olympic Games in Beijing. Eighteen of the athletes were also selected onto the UK Athletics World Class Pathway and for Lottery funding.
In 2009, OCWK athletes Tara Bird and Hannah England were selected for the Aviva GB & NI Team to compete at the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Turin as they continue their progression in the sport.
Find out more
Visit the "On Camp With Kelly" website www.oncampwithkelly.co.uk to find out more.