PERFORMANCE PATHWAYS NEWSLETTER
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IN THIS EDITION:
- Monthly Message
- 2022 Australian Championships
- Sports Psychology
- Governance and Compliance
- MPA Calendar
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Monthly update message from Hannah Every-Hall
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To our Modern Pentathlon Community,
It feels like a long time since we put out an MPA newsletter, however with so much going on for MPA over the past couple of months, there has been little time or opportunity for us to get it out. It is the same old scenario, not enough hours in the day nor day in the week to get everything done. Consequently, we have lots to inform you all on.
The month of April was a big one. We managed to hold our first National Championships in 2 years. It was a wonderfully successful event, and you can see some photos and read more about it below. However, a special thanks to a wonderful team of volunteer officials that managed to come together and support the process and create a fabulous event under a new format, that no one had ever seen in person. We were fortunate that the venue of Caulfield Grammar was a perfect setting to hold the event. Thank you to all those involved in pulling it together.
Immediately following the National Championships, we had two of our MPA athletes, Genevieve Janse van Rensburg and Zara Temesi compete at a Spanish Youth World Cup (4-events) in Barcelona. This was the first time we had seen anyone compete overseas in two years, except for the Olympic Games. Both athletes performed incredibly well, with Zara having the 2nd fastest Laser Run time, and Genevieve finding the podium to come away with a bronze medal. These girls are back home now, preparing for competition opportunities at the end of June.
The National Championships is the culmination of the domestic season. With everyone competing at the National Championships comes the opportunity for the MPA selection committee to look at the calendar and select an event in which we believe we can foster performance growth for our sport. This year the selection committee decided to send an exciting and talented youth team to the Laser Run World Championships, Lisbon, Portugal, as well as a small team of 3 to attend the Pentathlon Junior World Championships, Poland. You can read about it here.
Finally, our President of 12 years has called it a day after serving the sport so confidently and courageously for 4 decades. Kitty Chillers service to the sport is unquestionable in many facets, as an athlete, an administrator, a director and MPA president, along with being the elected Oceania President. We appreciate all that you have done for the sport and thank you again for your service. The sport is richer for your service. If you would like to read more about Kitty’s service, you will find it here
So no matter where you are in your season, it is time to sit and reflect with your team, and plan where to next. To do this effectively, you need to sit with your team, and discuss:
• Where is it that you want to go, and what does that look like? (Physically, Tactically, Technically, Physiologically and Psychologically and
• Where are you now? What is your current situation? What are your strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities to bridge the gaps?
• Where are the biggest performance gaps? Where should you prioritise your time? Gaps may be related to physical abilities, technical or tactical factors, performance behaviours, even knowledge gaps. Seek feedback from your team to help.
• Set goals. They should be appropriate, simple and clear. Goals should/ could include physical (e.g. conditioning, recovery), nutrition, technical (skill), tactical, mental.
• Monitor your training (time trials, training journals, testing), so you can see your progress (or not) and thus can adjust accordingly to what you need. Short term goals, are needed so that progression/ trajectory toward the final goal can be continuously monitored, and ensure you are on the right path.
• It is essential that you the athlete consider your goals and motivation. It is your journey. What do you think it is going to take to achieve your goals?
Aligned goals will drive your team directions, enabling athletes to train and compete with purpose.
Train smart.
Hannah Every-Hall
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2022 MPA National Championships
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The Australian Modern Pentathlon 2022 National Championships were held on the weekend 22-24 April. Friday saw the riding component of the Modern Pentathlon run smoothly at Willow Lane Equestrian Centre - 296 Pillars Rd, Bangholme VIC 3175. This involved bringing in 4 families to provide 6 horses.
Our event this year included 2 Singaporean’s as a means to qualify for the Asian Championships. It was our pleasure to welcome them here.
After the riding the event moved to Caulfield Grammar School - 217 Glen Eira Road, St Kilda East, to host the senior poule of the fencing ranking round.
MPA annual general meeting commenced shortly after the conclusion of the fencing at 5:30pm.
Saturday 23 April saw the individual pentathlon for all age groups compete under amazing weather condition. The competed in the fencing bonus round, 200m swim and a laser run (which combines both the running and shooting disciplines).
Saturday night saw 59 of our community head out for dinner. It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends that we haven’t seen for some time. This provided a wondering chance for new and old members of our community to come together learn and grow.
Sunday 24th we will saw the community participate in a fun, close team relay event.
Gallery of Day 2 and 3, plus results and media release articles have been uploaded to our website – https://modernpentathlon.org.au/2022-nationals.
We had 39 paid entrants, with 33 final participant numbers. At the 2019 championships held in Brisbane there were 34 entries – which was previously the largest number of entries recorded for the sport in Australia.
The weather was perfect across the entire weekend, certainly contributing the tremendous positive vibe the event delivered. The overwhelming feedback was positive, punctual and well organised.
To pick one highlight over the weekend is difficult. However, as far as an organisational and operational highlight, it was delivering an event, under the new format rules for Modern Pentathlon so smoothly and successfully, when there has been very few events run under these conditions in the world. It was a truely wonderful credit to the technical organising committee.
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SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY
....THE OFTEN OVERLOOKED COMPONENT OF PERFORMANCE?
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Performance psychology focuses on the psychological skills and knowledge necessary to facilitate peak performance in sport, business, and the performing arts.
Sport psychology can be considered a sub-set of performance psychology. It is the study of psychological factors that influence, and are influenced by, participation in sport, exercise, and physical activity, and the application of this knowledge to training and competition settings. Sport psychologists work with athletes, coaches, teams, and organisations across three broad domains:
- Performance enhancement. An athlete’s mental state can be either an asset or an obstacle to performance success. Sport psychologists can help athletes to become more “podium prepared” or ready to perform optimally “on the day”; teach skills and strategies to regulate thinking, emotions, and attention; facilitate productive team environments; and, foster the development of leadership and communication skills.
- Performance restoration. Sport is a challenging environment that can at times derail even elite athletes. Sport psychologists can influence a quicker and easier return back to baseline and beyond by educating and supporting for efficient recovery from injury, performance slumps, and training stresses; cultivating resilience and productive coping skills; and, helping athletes to develop better conflict management skills.
- Mental health promotion and support. Sport psychologists are also interested in how participation in sport may enhance or detract from personal development and well being. To that end, sport psychologists balance their focus on performance with an understanding and appreciation of the psychological care and well being of athletes and coaches; promote the value of a healthy life balance; assist through periods of transition; and, when mental health issues arise, are prepared to screen, manage, and coordinate appropriate support.
Some references for you to explore with your team:
- Motivation
- Self-Confidence
- Self-Talk
- Concentration
Reference – AIS Clearinghouse - https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/
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Our new Modern Pentathlon Board was elected at the AGM held on Friday 22nd April.
MPA BOARD
President (Current Casual Vacancy)
Vice President Alex Watson
Secretary Ashlee Uren
Treasurer Victoria Craig
Appointed Maki Takken
Appointed John Fernon 
MPA Staff
Executive Officer - Kayt Spano
Pathways & Performance Director - Hannah Every-Hall
Media & Communicaitons - Nicole Nicholls
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Governance & Compliance
MPA encourages you all to ensure your state memberships are current.
Please ensure you provide your state body with a copy of your Working with Children's check (or state equivalent) for their record keeping. Anyone 18 years or over who has any contact with children must hold a valid check/card.
By way of education, The Modern Pentathlon anti-doping policy is the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy, effective from 1 January 2021, and found here on the Sport Integrity Australia website. These rules bind all members, participants and non-participants in the sport of Modern Pentathlon.
https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/what-we-do/anti-doping/world-anti-doping-code/australian-national-anti-doping-policy
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COMPETITION CALENDAR
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| ACTIVITY |
DATE |
| Coffs Penta Camp |
10-16 January 2022 |
| Domestic Time Trial #4 (format TBC) |
15/16 or 22/23 January 2022 |
| MP Vic State Championships |
19/20 February 2022 |
| Domestic Time Trial #5 (if no State Champs) |
19/20 February 2022 |
| 2022 MPA National Championships - (Melbourne) |
22 - 24 April 2022 |
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27 June - 1 July 2022 |
| MPV Winter Championships (Geelong) |
16-17 July 2022 |
| 2022 MPA National Laser Run and Triathle Championships – (Venue TBC) |
TBC
Date will be set to help support selecting & preparing athletes to attend World LR Champs |
| OFF SEASON Time Trial (2km & 4km run) |
August 2022 |
| Domestic Time Trial |
September 2022 |
2022 UIPM U17 & U19 World Championships
Italy – Lignano Sabbiadoro |
4-11 September 2022 |
2022 FISU World University Championship
Argentina, Buenos Aires |
20-25 September 2022 |
2022 UIPM Junior World Championship
Poland – Zielona Gora |
2-9 October 2022 |
2022 UIPM Biathle / Triathle World Championships
Portugal – Machico |
26-30 October 2022 |
International Events (MPA Selection Required for Representation)
*NB Obviously, these dates are pending the world events, travel restrictions and other COVID associated variables. Thus they are all subject to change. MPA will give as much notice as possible to any changes made.
**We are currently monitoring the Department of Home Affairs for safe travel advice - https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/COVID-19.
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