Fitness fanatics face Kokoda test
SOUTHERN Cross University fitness fanatics took part in the biggest Kokoda Challenge Youth Program to date on Sunday.
The start to the program was held at North Burleigh Beach and gave everyone taking part a chance to be spotted as one of Australia’s next top athletes.
The fitness tests were conducted by academics and students from SCU School of Health and Human Sciences along with North Coast Academy of Sport (NCAS) and Australian Sports Commission’s National Talent Identification and Development (NTID) program.
Shi Zhou, SCU School of Health and Human Sciences Professor, headed up the testing team and said the program is an opportunity for students to get experience in fitness testing.
“Training for the Kokoda Challenge is very demanding, so we aim to provide the participants with a baseline measurement of their fitness levels that they can use to measure their progress against at a later date.
“After the initial test we will assess the results to establish if any young people have potential to be a sports talent and may be interested in becoming involved in our NTID testing days in May and June,” Prof Zhou said.
Participants chosen for the 14-month Youth Program undertake the Kokoda Challenge and visit Papua New Guinea to work with local villagers and walk the Kokoda Track.
