Four leading track and field athletes to visit country areas in January

13/1/99

Four of Australia's leading track and field athletes will head to regional Western Australia, thanks to the State Government's Country Sport Enrichment Scheme.

Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore today announced that dual Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Alison Inverarity, star decathlete Scott Ferrier, middle distance Olympian Paul Cleary and former Australian record holder over 100 metres, Damien Marsh, will make visits to country areas in January.

Inverarity, winner of Commonwealth Games gold medals in 1994 and 1998 and Ferrier, who has a personal best of 2.19m in the high jump and a decathlon score of over 8,000 points, will visit Geraldton on January 22.

Cleary, who ran for Australia in the Atlanta Olympics, and Marsh, who recently saw his national sprint mark beaten by Matt Shirvington, visit Albany on the same day.

All the stars are in town for the Bankwest Grand Prix, part of the Optus Grand Prix Series, to be held at Perry Lakes on January 24.

Other top athletes scheduled to compete include Cathy Freeman, Matt Shirvington and Emma George.

Athletica, which runs track and field in Western Australia, is arranging the coaching clinics in Geraldton and Albany so regional athletes can benefit from the experience of the Australian stars.

"I am delighted that Athletica has joined the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme and I am sure that the presence of such top-line athletes will have an invaluable impact on country athletes wanting to develop their skills," Mr Moore said.

"This is a magnificent opportunity for the regions concerned.

"It is yet another example of the excellent value for money the State Government is getting for its $240,000 investment in the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme.

"Perth Glory, Evonne Goolagong, the Western Warriors, leading triathletes and stars from most of the State's biggest clubs have now been to country areas thanks to the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme.

"We also have coming up a State football clash between Western Australia and South Australia and visits to country areas by football clubs such as South Fremantle and Perth." Media contact: Hartley Joynt, Minister's office, 9321 1444

Bob Figg, Ministry of Sport and Recreation, 08 9 387 9749.