NOWRA Hill’s Mason Beresford will get the chance to test himself against some the world’s top athletes, after being selected to attend the 2017 track and field athletics tour of Canada.
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The 13-year-old was selected in this prestigious squad following a number of strong performances on the track recently.
“I found out after receiving a letter through the my school saying I have been selected for the Canadian tour,” Beresford said.
“This was on the back of the standards I set competing at school state athletics carnivals. I’m really excited as they only have selected around 60 athletes from Australia to tour.”
On the tour, the Nowra Christian School student will be competing in four different events.
“I will be competing in 200m hurdles, long jump, triple jump and discus, which are me best four events,” he said.
“Starting July 1, over a full weekend, I will be competing in a place called Kelowna which is located in the Okanagan Valley and then the second full weekend I will be competing in the city of Vancouver.
“I have always wanted to compete internationally as an athlete and I'm so happy and excited to have the opportunity to do so. I am looking forward to meeting and competing against international athletes and doing my best to hopefully finishing in the top of the field.”
The Shoalhaven Little Athletics star, is still relatively new to the sport, starting just three years ago.
“I started little athletics when I was 10-years-old because I loved to run all the time and people used to tell me that I was a fast,” he said.
“And my mum Alissa thought it would be a good way to keep fit and make some new friends.
“Now I train five to six days a week and I will continue do so to get ready for Canada.
“My coach Bill has me working on long jump, triple jump, hurdles and also sprinting. I also work with Sam, my discus coach, one day a week.”
Beresford isn’t going to take this chance for granted though, as he views it as a stepping stone to achieving his future goals.
“My dream is to be a professional athlete one day,” he said.
“And if athletics doesn’t work out, I’d like to pursue a career as a professional harness racing trainer and driver – as I also enjoy racing my ponies in mini trots.”
Courtney Ward
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
