Former Olympian Glynis Nunn discusses what makes a champion in Junior Sport column

In this week’s Junior Sport column, former Olympian and Gold Coast Academy of Sport executive director Glynis Nunn discusses what makes a champion athlete.

I HAVE often written about the topic of champions and in some instances where the word is used too freely on young athletes.

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There are small moments that make champions. It is these moments that define the person and the achievement.

In our world of the “self­esteem movement” where everyone needs to be a winner, where it is in the best interest of our youth that we take away risks, I think we have done them a disservice.

In our playgrounds, we have taken away challenges of climbing and risks.

We put down rubber matting instead of having grass or woodchips just in case children fall off and hurt themselves.

We survived! They can too.

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We need to stop wrapping our children in cotton wool just in case they get hurt playing, or their feelings get hurt when they get beaten – stop making life mediocre.

We need to stop dumbing- down life.

So, what makes a champ ion? Questioning. Asking and then figuring out why someone is better.

Heptathlete Glynis Nunn in action during the 100m hurdles at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Why does a team beat another? Champions have certain traits, commonalities that they choose to make themselves better.

Belief is one. Challenge is another. They choose at times, the path that is not as simple or as clear, the path that is quite difficult and sometimes uncomfortable.

And sometimes, they choose the path that leads them to failure, BUT, they get up and go again instead of giving in.

I spoke before about moments that define you as an athlete.

As a 16-year-old I competed in Germany for the first time at the World Cup.

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I remember lining up in the 100m hurdles with the world champion on one side of me and the Olympic champion on the other. I was psyched out before I even ran.

After finishing last in the race I realised something quite important that was a great lesson – that those athletes were just like me – they were no different as they had one head, two arms and legs and a body.

The difference between them and me was that they believed in themselves and had achieved moments before coming to the starting line.

There was NO reason why I too, couldn’t make moments in my lifetime. I asked myself why?

We need to build “GRIT” in our youngsters. Make them tougher, make them ask the question “why not me?” and then work hard to achieve their goals.

It does help to have a network around you that supports your decisions and work.

Parents that are prepared to go the hard yards too.

Athletes need to have positive connections with advisers, professionals in their field, people who will challenge you to work harder.

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I heard someone say once that you need to change the “channel in your brain”.

Find a channel, a slogan, a person, a song, a saying that in moments of indecision will help you to have no fear.

Find something or someone that will be a positive energy that you can connect with.

There are 86,400 seconds in every day where a coach, a professional in their field or a parent can make a difference to an athlete; to make them more resilient, bolder or inspire them to say “why not me?”

This is not meaning that the journey is “parent driven” either. The journey must be athlete driven, and the supporters or surrounding network is there to help along the way.

Players take part in the Gold Coast Academy of Sport's under-12 rugby union program.

The Gold Coast Academy of Sport recently commenced two programs, including one for under-12 rugby union.

Forty-two young boys are part of the program to learn better skills, to learn how to approach their training and game play better, and to appreciate the game.

They are hopefully being given the tools to ask “Why not me?”

There may be one or even a few who might go on to represent their state and their country. If so, the people associated with the program will be grateful to have been part of their development. To have started their development of GRIT to succeed.

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The other program which was commenced was for rugby league refereeing, where young men are learning the basics of running and learning how they improve their approach to recovery and nutrition to ensure they are able to control a game.

This is a unique program one that the Academy hopes will grow in the future.

Players take part in the Gold Coast Academy of Sport's under-12 rugby union program.

Coming up in the next few months we also have programs involving hockey, a BMX day and a program called “Future Stars” which enables athletes outside of our regular programs to become involved with the professional approach to training and competition.

In the past we have had track and field athletes, ice hockey, cheering, basketball, go-karting, triathlon, Aussie rules and other sports as part of this program.

You can inquire through our website for further details as this program offers a six-month program and membership to the Southport Sharks gym.

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The Academy also offers a scholarship program linked with the Carbine Club.

This is a $5000 scholarship to help the athlete progress and train within their sport.

A clearly positive connection with people and givers that helps to offer you the opportunity to progress further in your chosen activity.

I cannot stress enough how special this opportunity is. Take the challenge – contact the Academy and find out more.