Well-known 400m and 800m athlete Rohan Laurendet will add some shine to Blue Stars this season with his decision to join the local club. Laurendet has made the decision to join the local club after moving to Wollongong with his wife and now practising physiotherapy at a local West Wollongong centre. His decision is a bonus to the club, with him being ranked in the top bracket of State 400m and 800m athletes. The name Laurendet is very familiar with athletes across Australia not only because of Rohan’s performances but the earlier performances of his mother Jenny who represented Australia in both Commonwealth and Olympic Games level. The young 25 year old son is carrying on the name as far as track and field is concerned and we are delighted to have Rohan join the Blue Stars club.
His training with another Blue Star’s member, Joshua Baulch teaming up with Laurendet, has been impressive with both men showing early season form over the 800m. Both competed in the 800m Kembla Joggers run last Thursday and were very impressive in their running, with Laurendet taking out the win from a fast-finishing Baulch. Both athletes stated they had seconds in them, running a solid 800m in 1.58. This shows that both men will certainly be a threat over the middle-distance event come competition time. They are also impressive over the 400m, with Rohan ranked in the State and the younger Baulch taking full advantage of teaming with Laurendet for training to hopefully produce his top form that he showed during his junior years.
Both men will be an asset to the club, both on and off, but their presence in the club’s relay team in November will also be an added bonus to the squads that Blue Stars are now putting together.
Laurendet will add his expertise to the Club’s athletes who wish to take advantage of his qualified physiotherapy ability. His presence on the track in the dark blue-light blue colours of the Club will be a highlight for the season and many members of Blue Stars will now feed off the brilliance of this young man. This has already been shown by his training together with a younger Baulch who will improve dramatically by training and competing with Laurendet.
But watch this space, as a determined, dedicated Laurendet may just show his expertise in another event that he could easily be a successful athlete at. Summer season will be exciting to watch and witness these two young men running and competing, along with our other members in a variety of meets that are coming our way.
CROSS COUNTRY AND WINTER MEETS COMPLETED ASND SUMMER NEARLY HERE
Blue Stars has completed the cross country season and also the final round of the winter track and field season. Cross country has been down a little this season, but the track and field meets have been well attended with some athletes having the feel of athletics for the first time. With the completion of winter meets, the club will now move into the summer, commencing first round of competition on Sunday 9 October, a little later than usual due to the World Cycling Championships.
Dates have been announced for the summer season by athletics NSW with the first major meet being NSW All Schools followed by NSW State Relays. Both events are expected to be attended by members of Blue Stars. An expression of interest will go out to all members regarding State Relays, but athletes are reminded that the registration process through Athletics NSW does not open until 26 September.
DUAL REGISTERED MEMBERS
Dual registered athletes wishing to nominate Blue Stars as their senior club will also have access to the NSW membership portal by going into Membership and scrolling down to Illawarra Blue Stars under South Coast region.
We welcome all dual members regardless of where they live and any athlete aged 10 to 17 who has registered with their little A’s can then follow the process of becoming a dual registered member with IBS. All dual members will have the benefits of competing at club, Country, State and Australian level if they desire and IBS will also offer coaching to those who require it in the various disciplines.
OFFICIALS REQUIRED
Technical official Jodie Sundstrom is flying all over the country at the moment but very few realise what technical officials have to do to move up to a higher grade. Jodie, after a month away overseas, takes to the cross country titles in Adelaide to gain more experience in such events. Some officials may not wish to go to this level, and the club welcomes everyone to come on board with the club to help out at Sunday afternoon club meets. The 9 October club meet will have all information pertaining to coaches, officials, summer program and will also appear on the club’s website at www.illawarrabluestars.com