Bradfield's Broken 60!!!!!!

[nije]

HI Oli's mum

Anyone who tells you that Oli won't make it as a senior should not be your friend!!!!!!! It is probably green eyed agenda driven. The best thing for Oli is to make sure he has a good workable technique that will keep him injury free and will not need overhauling later in life. Two of our latest young star throwers have had extensive injuries and I include Matti in this group with an injury which has ruined this season. He will be back though! Just let him enjoy it and don't get too javelin crazy unitl a little later in life when he can start training properly for it.

One thing Matti has probably learned is that certain faults you can get aways with but when you start growing and get stronger, the body doesn't cope to well with it.

Tim know his onions and will make sure he is looked after adn technicly proficent i am sure - just dont over do it until later teens is my advice for what it is worht. It is what you do as a senior not a junior that matters and is finanically rewarded!

[pj]

Hi Sarah,

That is an exceptional posting for this site.

I first came on here because ever since my son took up the Javelin at 12, I became interested in the event. I taught PE and coached Athletics but my expertise was sprinting. However I did not learn enough about the event quickly enough. I therefore had to seek out a new coach for him. I was coached in my youth by Wilf Paish, who I greatly admired. I sought him out and he agreed to have a look at him. I think he was a lttle bit surprised and agreed to coach him. Because Wilf was looked upon as a bit of a Maverick by the Athletics Governing body we never did see him in the 'top job'. How different things would have been today if that appointment had been made. Wilf was offered the South African Olympic squad and left these shores for a few years. There began a period of many changes, both in Coaches for David and Governing bodies in Athletics. Lots of innovation, much of which fluctuated between athlete centred policies and Management structure. Not too much concern with Coaches, or providing lots of them, nor Coach Education. Many babies were thrown out with the bath water much of which was cold. Now we have a fixation with Podium Finish potential. How subjective is that?. We turn over Coaches and Administrations every verse end ( Olympics? ) and forget the Athletes in the minor events like Oli in the Javelin. Someone needs to be assigned to Oli pdq from UKA to give him the correct advice, much of which he will undoubtedly pick up piecemeal on this Forum. There are some excellent minds posting on here who live, breathe and eat Javelin. Many have had fulfilling careers in the Sport/Event.

Oli is a great talent as you obviously realise. Certainly the best Under 13 the UK have ever had and looking like the best U15 before too long. It is a long time until Senior level ..7/8 years minimum. Steve Backley went from good U17 to World Junior Record Holder in less than 4 years. And very soon after World Record Holder. That is not the norm but the early advice he obtained regarding technique after some years as a middle-distance runner were crucial.

People are right in saying concentrate on technique, nurture Oli. Don't fall into the trap of competing too often, play all the other sports, enjoy all sport.
Burn out, injury, lack of success, high expectations are all invidious to the javelin thrower. The muscles and joints used take a considerable hammering over a long period of time in the quest to make it to the top of the event. Our current no.1 is a very late starter to the event having played Rugby I believe. It has benefitted him in my opinion.

Tim is exactly the right person and I am sure he will keep Oli grounded. He has huge experience in other sports and 'Strength and Conditioning'.

Please give him my best wishes.

Finally you do not have to post on here in Oli's name. You must join ...you must.

Good luck to Oli at the English Schools'. I shall be there watching.

all the very best

Phil

[slinger]

Welcome aboard mum

You certainly won't see any negativity or green eyed monsters on this forum, but only posts of concern - basically coming from the situations and experiences of the past with many a talented youngster.

I am pleased to see you share many of the feelings already expressed of having a laugh with the game, as at the end of the day, it's only just that.

It is a good forum and even if you never ask any event specific Q's, there's always bits and tips you can pick up and it's a good place to just have a chat to many of the current people in the UK Jav community - it can sometimes be that old adage - "it's who you know, rather than what you know"

I like pj's post there, he's been there and done that himself AND with two sons - he offers some very good advice there.

Can I ask is Javelin Oli's fave sport at the moment?

[ltad]

Thanks Nije. I do appreciate your concerns and take on board what you say. I’m just worried that there is a presumption that all youngsters will fail.

Oli has a really great coach in Tim who understands him and I know that good technique is absolutely vital to avoid injuries in the future, as in all sports. I don t push Oli and neither does Tim. It is long term that we are aiming at – maybe when he is 25?? Obviously this depends on a lot of factors as mentioned in my previous post and I don’t want to raise expectations as a lot can happen in the meantime.

Thanks Phil. Your words of advice are very helpful to me from a parent who has obviously “done that and worn the T-shirt! and I accept the cautionary undertones of your message. I do feel that, as our youngsters are exposed to the sport at younger ages and develop, there will be more participation at junior level, which needs suitable management if we are to provide the stars of the future.

I would love to turn on my TV and watch some field events rather than the track events all the time – lets face it – everyone can run (admittedly at different speeds! but field events require more skill.

I note also your comment about rugby. I feel that there is a definite correlation between rugby and javelin throwing. It is significant that most of the record holders at javelin at my son’s school have turned out to be very good rugby players, even at international level. As an observer and not an expert, there are transferable skills from rugby to javelin throwing – the speed, agility, balance, coordination skills learnt in rugby practice together with quick hands and quick feet are all necessary with the explosive power generated in the run up and the delivery of the javelin throw. Oli often mentions about the mental preparation required before a rugby match – the need for conditioning the mind for the battle ahead to avoid potential injury.

I also think tennis is good because of the fast arm required in producing a fast and accurate serve. It is a pity that Oli no longer competes in tennis but due to financial reasons and the fact that those that did well in the sport either had parents who were coaches or had their own courts in their back garden didn’t really make it a level playing field.

Thanks Slinger, I note your comments too. Out of all the sports he participates in – he loves rugby and javelin throwing the most. He likens throwing the javelin to scoring a try at rugby. Having said this, I think throwing is a natural instinct, learnt from a young age and something that comes from within. I have many recollections of him throwing objects of all shapes and sizes (including his older brother) from a very young age.

I hope that we all continue to raise the profile of javelin throwing in the UK – its a pity we aren’t more like Finland – bring on the JavFests!