USA Weightlifting
2012 - 2013 Winter Developmental Camp
Olympic Training Center
Colorado Springs, CO
December 26, 2012 – January 2, 2013
USA Weightlifting is pleased to announce a Developmental Camp for Youth and Junior athletes, to be held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs December 26, 2012 to January 2, 2013.
The top ranked Youth and Junior weightlifters from around the country will be invited to train together at the CSOTC in preparation for the upcoming National Junior Championships in February, the Youth World Championships in April, and Junior World Championships in May.
The objective of the camp is development for high level performance of male and female weightlifters 20 years of age or younger contending for places on the Team USA Youth and Junior teams. The Youth and Junior World Championships ranking lists post-American Open Championships will be used to make the selection.
Due to space limitations and budgetary considerations, the total number of non-resident Youth and Junior camp athletes invited is anticipated to be limited to 20 –the top five male and female Youth and Junior athletes - with two groups of ten to twelve athletes training together in separate sessions each day, based on Camp Director, National Team Coach Zygmunt Smalcerz and the assigned coaches’ determination of the best groupings, after initial assessment of prior results and capabilities, body weight category, age, and related factors. The most advanced Youth and Junior athletes invited to the camp may also be grouped with the USAW resident program athletes in their separate training sessions each day. Resident athletes alternatively may be grouped with the visiting athletes.
Recent past camps have included a small number of volunteer, self-funded athletes, space permitting. Since selection for this camp is World team ranking list based, and space is limited, if additional camp slots were to become available, invitations would be offered to the next highest ranking athletes until the maximum number is reached.
Continuing current talent identification, evaluation of potential future international team members and resident athletes, a small number of “Training Specials” may again be brought in to train with the OTC residents, space permitting. These high potential athletes are selected on an ongoing basis throughout the year, in preparation for the major upcoming national, and possibly, international competitions on the 2013 USA Weightlifting calendar.
Given this camp’s emphasis on high performance development and preparation for international competition, the coaches who have the highest ranking based on the international teams coach assigned scoring procedure, one each for Youth and Junior. These four coaches will assist the Camp Director, National Team Coach Zygmunt Smalcerz, during the camp and at the same time will have the opportunity to gain knowledge of his teaching and coaching methods.
The hope is that these coaches will take the knowledge gained from this experience, and include the methods used at the camp in their further development of these athletes for future international success.
Due to time limitations, camp selection process will again be required to take place very soon after the conclusion of the American Open Championships, during the week of December 2, 2012. Athletes, and parents who anticipate that their son or daughter might qualify for this camp opportunity, are encouraged to give serious consideration regarding their availability to attend.
Questions regarding this camp opportunity may be made by email to Peter Roselli, High Performance Director, at Peter.Roselli@usaweightlifting.org