Newly-formed Westman Athletics Club to benefit youth

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By: Lanny Stewart

myWestman.ca

A new athletics club has been formed in Westman and is designed to benefit track and field athletes in the area. 

The Westman Athletics Club, a non-profit organization, formed by several coaches in the area, is expected to help athletes in the area who are looking for a track and field program to better their skills.

“In my eyes, this is going to start to satisfy needs for the region,” said Bryanne McLaughlin, one of the organizers of the club. “We have heard of local kids going into Winnipeg weekly to participate in club programs as there is nothing for them here. We have the facilities, the coaches, and the athletes right here in Westman.”

McLaughlin says the idea for the club originated approximately a month ago when Lindsey Kyle of Sport Manitoba-Westman sent out an email to various schools and sports contacts seeking interest in beginning an athletics club. 

“Apart from cross-country in the fall and track and field in the spring and summer, youth have no organized programs for athletics,” she said. 

The Sportsplex track in Brandon, which consists of the only rubberized 400-metre track in the area, will be considered the ‘home base’ for the club, however during the winter months, McLaughlin says plans are in place for the club to hold its program in gymnasiums around Westman.

The coaches will be from all over the region and will include Neepawa’s Bryce Koscielny. 

“It’s a big world in track and field both indoors and outdoors, so hopefully there's some interest and the club can be successful,” he told myWestman.ca. “We have so many great athletes in Westman we wanted this to happen.”

Westman will see some notable events come to the area in the near future as the National Youth Track and Field Championships will be coming to the Wheat City in 2017 and 2018. More than 1,000 young athletes, aged 14-17, will be coming to Brandon to take part in the event, which is sanctioned by Athletics Canada.

On Sunday, the Westman Athletics Club will be hosting its inaugural practice and information meeting at the Brandon Sportsplex Track from 2-4 p.m.  

Parents and athletes (ages 10-18) are invited to attend and will find out more about the club at that time.