Syed Talib
Updated on: October 10, 2024 7:41 pm GMT
Alysha Newman, an accomplished Canadian pole vaulter, is leveraging her recent Olympic success to advocate for improved training facilities dedicated to pole vaulting and other field events in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Following her bronze medal achievement at the Paris Olympics, she aims to establish a permanent indoor training venue, addressing the current struggles of amateur athletes who often train in subpar conditions.
A Bronze Medal and Ambitious Goals
Newman, who has recently enjoyed her best athletic year, making history by winning Canada’s first Olympic medal in pole vaulting in over a century, is determined to use her newfound recognition to benefit the next generation of athletes. With her Canadian record also renewed for the first time in five years, she is set to compete in the prestigious Diamond League final in Brussels, which could further elevate her profile and efforts for the proposed training facility.
“I shoot for the moon and I usually land on a bunch of stars,” said Newman, emphasizing her ambitious vision for the sports community in Canada. Her plans include meetings with local Caledon officials to discuss the construction of a facility at a site currently made up of abandoned tennis courts, where she and her team have been conducting their summer training.
Training Challenges Faced by Pole Vaulters
Despite Newman’s successes, she and her coaches face significant challenges regarding their training environment. Currently, they are forced to practice on cracked concrete courts that lack basic amenities. Coach Doug Wood, a 1992 Olympic pole vaulter, highlighted the difficulties faced by athletes in the area: “We have no lights, no power, no facilities, no Johnny on the spot.”
The team has resorted to finding temporary warehouse spaces during winter training. Unfortunately, this year they encountered further setbacks when potential arrangements fell through just days prior. In one instance, they had to clean an old marijuana grow-op before using it for training, exemplifying the extremes they have faced in securing adequate facilities.
If another rental option is unavailable, the team may be forced to train at the Toronto Track and Field Centre at York University, which is overcrowded and chaotic, accommodating numerous athletes from the surrounding region. Wood described how sharing facilities with a large number of pole vaulters adversely affects training efficiency.
A Vision for the Future
Newman’s initiative not only aims to provide for her team but also aspires to support the broader track and field community, including local schools like Humberview Secondary. As they work toward this objective, she is hosting a gala fundraiser in Toronto next month to gather financial support for the project.
“There’s a real need for a dedicated facility that not only serves pole vaulters but also accommodates high jumpers, long jumpers, and other events,” Newman remarked. “Money is going to need to be raised and I think that will take most of my time this offseason.”
The goal is not just to establish a training space for elite athletes, but to create a nurturing environment for amateurs and young talents. The absence of proper infrastructure has been limiting, and Newman and her coaching team recognize the potential benefits that a dedicated facility could bring.
Funding and Support
Wood, who is also the vice president of construction for Lanterra Developments, has confirmed that conversations with public and private partners regarding funding for the facility have been ongoing. He noted that obtaining the necessary resources requires a collaborative approach. “Nobody is going to give you this stuff; you’ve just got to find your way, and we will,” he said, recognizing that Newman’s Olympic medal significantly assists in opening doors for support.
As planning continues, the excitement surrounding the potential facility grows. By facilitating a space dedicated to pole vaulting and other field events, they hope to foster an environment that can help athletes reach their maximum potential while reducing the logistical challenges associated with training in inadequate conditions.
Newman’s journey reflects a determination to improve the sport within Canada, ensuring that future generations of pole vaulters will have the necessary resources to train effectively and succeed on the world stage.
Newman has some exciting plans and a big gala fundraiser coming up! Stay tuned for more details about the event.
