Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 126, January 2020 | Page 46

TRACK & FIELD My focus is on the 100m hurdles, 200m and 100m sprints, and in 2020 I want to qualify for the World Junior Championships, where I’d like to obtain a medal.” “I love the atmosphere at the PUMA School of Speed meetings,” says Miandi van Staden, of Potchefstroom Gimnasium. “I am proud and honoured to represent PUMA. It’s a great brand and I love wearing it. My focus is on 100m and 200m, and my goal for 2020 is to represent South Africa at the IAAF World Under-20 Championships.” With the 2020 PUMA School of Speed series set to kick off in January, young stars of the track all over the country will be looking forward to taking their chance to impress. – BY JACKY McCLEAN S outh Africa’s most exciting schools athletics talent identification programme, the PUMA School of Speed, will celebrate its fifth anniversary in 2020 with five action-packed meets, taking place across the country from Wednesday 22 January to Saturday 29 February. Headed by the world’s fastest man, multiple Olympic and World Champion, Usain Bolt, the PUMA School of Speed Series was launched in 2016 with the goal of identifying and developing exceptional young South African sprinters in the under-15, under-17 and under-19 age categories. All entrants in the series stand a chance to be scouted and contracted to the PUMA Squad for the duration of one calendar year. It is then up to them to grab this opportunity to really get their young athletic careers started on a high note. This saw PUMA South Africa recently welcome five junior athletes as PUMA Future Stars for the duration of 2020 after they caught the attention of the leading sports brand in the 2019 series. “The PUMA School of Speed Series exceeded our expectations in 2019,” says PUMA Marketing Director Brett Bellinger. “The series continues to grow in popularity, resulting in an influx of athletes lining up ready to go #ForeverFaster.” exciting racing at the 2020 PUMA School of Speed Series.” 2019 Stars Welcomed to Team Unsurprisingly, the five youngsters are all extremely excited about this opportunity. “My Idol, Usain Bolt, is a PUMA ambassador and that is why I love the PUMA brand,” says Dalan Oliphant, from Wesvalia High School in Klerksdorp. “The PUMA School of Speed is a great platform for any athlete to be able to compete against the best in South Africa. I wish I could compete in all the PUMA School of Speed meets. My focus will be on the 100m and 200m, and my goal is to become the Under-17 SA Champion in both these events while I am still under-16.” According to Kayla van der Bergh, a student at Klerksdorp High School, the PUMA School of Speed is a highlight of the year. “The best of the best wear PUMA, including Usain Bolt, and I feel honoured that such an amazing brand chose me to be part of their team and family. I cannot wait to perform to my best and show everyone out there that I am a PUMA girl. Dalan Oliphant “Being chosen as a PUMA Future Star for 2020 is the highlight of my athletics achievements so far,” says Garrick Rees, a student at Curro Hazeldean in Pretoria. “One of the biggest brands in sport, PUMA is known for its quality, and the PUMA School of Speed is an awesome initiative that allows athletes from around the country to show their potential. My goal for 2020 is to run PB’s in the 400m, 800m, 1500m and 3000m.” The 2020 PUMA School of Speed Series PUMA School of Speed #1 Wednesday 22 January Dal Josaphat Athletics Stadium, Paarl PUMA School of Speed #2 Saturday 25 January Ruimsig Athletics Stadium, Johannesburg PUMA School of Speed #3 Monday 27 January PUK McArthur Athletics Stadium, Potchefstroom PUMA School of Speed #4 Saturday 08 February University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela (Nelspruit) PUMA School of Speed #5 Saturday 29 February BestmedTuks Athletics Stadium, Pretoria Events: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, Long Jump, High Jump, 90m Hurdles (Girls 15), 100m Hurdles (Boys 15, Girls 17 & 19), and 110m Hurdles (Boys 17 & 19) Entry fee for spectators: Adults – R20, children – R10 Miandi van Staden “We are excited to welcome Garrick Rees, Miandi Van Staden, Kayla van der Bergh, Dalan Oliphant and Lehlogonolo Ramokgopa as our 2020 PUMA Future Stars. In addition to representing the brand, they will have access to PUMA’s elite running ambassadors, who will be on hand to offer guidance on and off the track. We are proud to continue growing the exhilarating sport of track & field and look forward to For further information on the PUMA School of Speed Series, visit www.schoolofspeed.com or contact Stillwater Sports on 082 991 0045 or [email protected]. 46 ISSUE 126 JANUARY 2020 / www.modernathlete.co.za FUTURE STARS Ready for School According to Lehlogonolo Ramokgopa (Prestige College, Kempton Park), “The PUMA School of Speed gives us a field where we can display our love for the sport and show off our skill. In addition to building the sport, it also helps in terms of sport recognition. My focus is on long jump and hurdles, and my goal for 2020 is to stay healthy and qualify for the IAAF World Under-20 Championships.”