RBC Training Ground tests youth athletes in Red Deer

“My advice would be to just stay motivated, but also to be open to change and new opportunities. You may have hesitations about switching sports, but try to trust your passion for sport.”

One of Sunday’s participants was 15-year-old Avery Snelson, a student at Red Deer’s St. Joseph High School.

“This is a great opportunity for athletes,” she said of Training Ground. “It tests the skills that you do need for every single sport, and by testing those skills, you can really see what kind of athlete you can be.”

A volleyball, basketball, badminton and track athlete herself, Snelson said it would be quite something to be competing at the Olympics one day.

“That would be something amazing to be able to say. I think everyone has it in them, you just have to bring it out,” she said.

“Canada’s the best country, and we need to show that to the world. We have so many amazing athletes that live here.”

Leman also elaborated on how Training Ground will provide a boost to the Canadian Olympic program long-term.

“One of the goals of Training Ground is to identify some kind of hidden talent in Canada. We’ve got some great athletes out there and we need to bolster these sports that we’re good at already, but have a hard time feeding athletes into for whatever reason,” he said. “It’s a good chance to add some depth to our Olympic team.”

After RBC Training Ground has completed its run of events across the country, the data will be analyzed before the top 100 competitors are chosen to take part in the first ever Training Ground nationals this September in Calgary.

Last year’s top Alberta performer was Gavin Broadhead, a former player with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers. While Broadhead, 23, isn’t certain about his future, he recently received professional coaching and competed in his first speed skating race.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

RBC Training Ground tests youth athletes in Red Deer

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