Ten athletes are making history as the first learners of the St Michael’s School for Girls to compete in the Athletics South Africa Sub-Youth National Championships in Bloemfontein this coming weekend.
This milestone is remarkable, considering athletics was previously not one of the school’s primary focus sports.
The transformation began when Samantha Ross joined the school in 2023.
Despite athletics not being a focus area, she believed in the learners’ potential. Applying determination and consistent effort, she worked tirelessly to cultivate a love for athletics.
Recognising the need for specialised expertise, she brought Gideon Trotter on board as the sprints coach. His background in athletics, combined with his ability to connect with children, proved to be a game changer.
Together, Ross and Trotter dedicated their time and energy to designing effective training programmes that brought out the best in the athletes. Their hard work has paid off, with the school’s athletics team growing from no participants to ten national qualifiers in just one year.
The championships on Friday, 6 December, and Saturday will take place in the Free State Stadium.
