olympics | thecricketlibrary.com

In the dynamic landscape of Australian athletics, Emelia Surch emerges as a multi-faceted talent with a story that transcends the boundaries of track and field. At 20, she has not only represented Australia on the global stage in the World U20 Championships in Columbia, securing a remarkable 4th place in the long jump with a leap of 6.45m, but she also holds the esteemed titles of the current under-20 Oceania champion and record holder in long jump and hurdles. Amidst her exploits on the track, Emelia is navigating the challenging realm of academia, pursuing studies in nursing at university, and navigating 4 am starts working at the Coles bakery. A true embodiment of dedication and versatility, she also trains rigorously six days a week for the seven events in the heptathlon, showcasing her commitment to excellence in every aspect of her life. Guiding her on this extraordinary journey is coach Glynis Nunn, a 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist, who envisions Olympic success for Emelia with the proper support. “If Emelia had funding, and we can replace the work at Coles with preparation, recovery, and training, I know I have an Olympic Athlete who is capable of achieving something very special,” says Nunn. As Emelia seeks sponsors to elevate her athletic career and studies to new heights, her narrative unfolds as a harmonious blend of record-breaking achievements, Olympic aspirations, and the relentless pursuit of excellence on all fronts.

With a genuine desire to unveil the intricacies of Emelia’s journey, the Cricket Library actively sought her perspective, and she graciously shared her insights with us, infusing the conversation with a delightful sprinkle of cricket.

Balancing the demands of athletic training, nursing studies, and the heptathlon is undoubtedly challenging. How do you manage your time effectively to excel in all these diverse aspects of your life?

“I’ve been really fortunate to have the guidance of my coach and mentor Glynis Nunn, who has obviously experienced these demands herself. I also gained a wealth of knowledge through the Gold Coast Academy of Sport’s future star program, which had a component that specifically focused on time management. I have found that invaluable.”

Studying nursing at university adds another layer to your already busy life. How do you see the connection between your studies and athletics, and how does one influence the other in your personal and professional development?

“I’ve just completed my second year of nursing and I absolutely love it. Knowing and understanding more about the body, medication, and health obviously helps me to take better care of myself, particularly when it comes to illnesses and injuries.”

Coach Glynis Nunn has expressed confidence in your Olympic potential. How does her mentorship guide your aspirations, and what role does she play in helping you navigate the complexities of combining sports and studies?

“I’m pretty lucky to have an Olympic Champion as a coach, role model, and mentor. Glynis and I have a very special relationship. She’s been my coach for 7 years, and in that time there have been many highs and lows, but I can tell her anything and our relationship is built on trust. She is the kindest, most generous person who gives it to me straight. I definitely don’t take that for granted.”

Training for seven events in the heptathlon is a substantial commitment. Can you share some of the challenges you face in preparing for such a diverse range of disciplines and how you overcome them?

“Basically, it means training for multiple events at each session, which means my sessions are longer. For example, on a Monday, I’ll arrive before everyone else and get a Javelin session in, before a technical Long Jump session, and then track work. Sometimes my session can be up to 3 hours. On top of training for the 7 events, I also need days for gym and strength work as well as recovery.”

With the ultimate goal of reaching the Olympics, what steps are you taking to qualify, and how do you envision your journey towards achieving that dream?

“Actually, with support from Cameron at Global Sports 360 and some very generous people, I’ve been able to give up working at Coles for the next 6 months and focus entirely on my training. My goal is to qualify for the Oceania Championships in Fiji and give myself the best chance of making the Australian Team. Having extra time in my week means my coach and I have been able to schedule in additional sessions and include purposeful recovery sessions too, which I’ve never been able to do before.”

As you seek sponsors to support your athletic endeavors and studies, what message would you like to convey to potential sponsors, and how do you believe their backing can make a significant difference in your pursuit of excellence?

“Sponsorship and support will mean I can fully commit to my intense training load, honing my skills and refining the technical elements of each event and ensure I have enough time for recovery sessions to guarantee my body gets the necessary rest to perform at its peak. It means I have a real chance of turning my dreams into reality and can represent my country on the world stage.

I also believe I am a good ambassador and role model, particularly for girls in sport. I give 100% to everything I do and I’m determined to reach my full potential. Knowing that people are behind me, supporting me, just fuels my drive to be the best.”

From your perspective as an athlete in a different discipline, what do you admire most about the physical and mental skills required in cricket?

“I’ve always admired the mental strength of cricket players. I just have no idea how the players can be out there for extended periods of time be completely focused for the entire duration of the game. Also strategizing and the tactical aspect of cricketers is pretty impressive and aside from running the 800m in a heptathlon there isn’t really any strategizing you just need to perform every event at 100% and give it all you’ve got every time.”

Kate Peterson has a background in Javelin and is now making her mark in Cricket as a fast bowler. Considering the technical aspects of cricket, are there specific skills or techniques in the sport that you find particularly impressive or intriguing, and do you see any parallels with skills in your own discipline?

“I really feel like cricket requires so many very different skills, they are like the heptathletes of bat and ball games, and even though I’m a heptathlete the only skill I’d nail would be the sprint between the wickets. There’s no way I could concentrate like they do for such long periods of time. As for Javelin, it’s most definitely is not my strongest event, I most certainly could use some tips from Kate.”

Do you have any memories of playing or watching cricket growing up?

“I have only recently started watching cricket and to be honest am most interested in the women’s league, but I feel like it’s always on in the background, in the lounge room, in summer. As for playing, cricket on the beach at camping is about the only experience I have actually playing.”

Who is your team in the Big Bash?

“I’m an Alana King fan. So definitely the Perth Scorchers, but also the Brisbane Heat when they are playing any of the other teams.”

England’s Katherine Brunt stumped by Australia wicket keeper Alyssa Healy off the bowling of Emilia Surch’s favourite player Alana King during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 Final match at Hagley Oval, Christchurch..PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

If you had to assemble a relay team consisting of yourself and three cricket players, which three players would you have on your team and why?

“It’d have to be an Australian Team because I don’t know enough players from other countries and I’m assuming for a basic 4 x 100m, which is a bit longer than the distance between the wickets, so I’d go Alex Carey to Steve Smith to Marnus Labuschagne and finish with Dave Warner (had a little help from dad on this).”

A thank you message from Emelia to her supporters

Emelia’s narrative unfolds as a testament to the pursuit of excellence across diverse aspects of life, embodying the spirit of a young athlete determined to make her mark on the world stage. Stay connected with Emelia’s journey through her social media platforms and lend your support to her endeavours with the hashtag #SurchForGold. Your encouragement will undoubtedly play a crucial role in propelling her towards achieving greatness.

Sydney 2000 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 400m – Final
**Contributor:** PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

The road to Olympic success is paved not only with rigorous training and physical prowess but also with a strategic and resilient mindset. In an interview with Graham Winter, the psychologist for the Australian Olympic team during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, we delve into the profound insights that underpin the preparation of athletes for the grandeur of the Olympic stage.

Winter begins by emphasising the significance of creating a robust program around athletes. While acknowledging the occasional outlier who excels in any situation, he underscores the importance of developing a foundation that enables athletes to perform consistently under pressure. The key, he suggests, lies in separating one’s identity from performance, recognising that the pressure of defining oneself through their achievements can be overwhelming.

According to Winter, successful coaches focus on three fundamental aspects of athlete development. First and foremost is the mastery of basics – instilling the ability to perform fundamental skills repeatedly and consistently, especially when the stakes are high. The second aspect involves clarity about individual strengths and trusting them under pressure. Lastly, in a team environment, athletes must learn to operate cohesively, applying pressure collectively to achieve the desired outcome.

Winter dispels the myth that athletes must comprehend the enormity of the Olympic Games. Instead, he advocates for athletes to stay on task, honing their ability to remain focused amidst the chaos. Coaches play a pivotal role in building trust and encouraging athletes to rely on the support system around them, including teammates, coaches, and management.

The psychologist emphasises that the goal is not to perform in the Olympics but in one’s sport at the highest level on a given day. Athletes should view the Olympic stage as an opportunity to test themselves and celebrate the culmination of their preparation.

Winter reflects on the remarkable example of Cathy Freeman at the Sydney Olympics, highlighting her ability to operate effectively in a high-pressure environment. He attributes such performances to mindfulness – the capacity to stay calm, composed, and focused under pressure.

In conclusion, Winter stresses the importance of preparation and drilling. Under pressure, athletes revert to what they have practised and prepared for. The basics, coupled with inspiration, form the winning combination for Olympic success. As athletes embark on their Olympic journey, Winter’s words serve as a reminder that the path to glory is not just physical; it is a mental game that requires resilience, focus, and trust in oneself and the team.

In cricket, as in the Olympics, the importance of a well-structured program around the players cannot be overstated. The parallels lie in creating an environment that nurtures consistent performance under pressure. Just as Winter emphasizes the basics in individual sports, in cricket, players must hone their fundamental skills, such as batting techniques, bowling variations, and fielding precision, to execute them repeatedly in the heat of competition.

Separating one’s identity from performance is equally relevant in cricket. Batters, bowlers, and fielders alike can be susceptible to the weight of expectations, especially in high-stakes matches. By cultivating a mindset that sees performance as an aspect of the game rather than a definition of self-worth, cricket players can navigate the challenges with a more explicit focus and resilience.

In the team context, the ability to operate collectively is paramount. Cricket is inherently a team sport, and success often hinges on seamless coordination among players. Trusting teammates, coaches, and the overall game plan becomes crucial for a cricket team preparing for a major tournament or series. The capacity to apply pressure as a cohesive unit and adapt to different match situations aligns with Winter’s emphasis on team dynamics in sports.

As with individual athletes, cricketers face the challenge of not getting overwhelmed by the enormity of major tournaments. The cricketing world, with its passionate fan base and media scrutiny, can create an environment comparable to the intensity of the Olympic Games. Here, the role of coaches in building trust and helping players stay on task is pivotal. The focus should be on preparing for the sport, rather than succumbing to the external pressures associated with the magnitude of the event.

Drawing inspiration from Winter’s insights, cricketers can approach their matches with a mindset geared towards testing themselves and celebrating their preparation. The combination of drilled basics and moments of inspiration can be the winning formula for success on the cricket field, just as it is on the Olympic stage. Ultimately, the principles of mental resilience, focus, and trust in oneself and the team resonate across disciplines, illustrating the profound impact of psychological preparation in the pursuit of sporting excellence.

Elsa Hunter – WBBL Vibes – The Cricket Library

In this uplifting episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, Sydney Sixers rising star Elsa Hunter joins us for a vibrant conversation during a crucial stretch of the WBBL season. Elsa shares her insights on the Sixers' strong team vibe, the calm and powerful leadership of new captain Ash Gardner, and what it’s like learning from icons such as Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, and the squad’s international talent. She reflects on her journey from playing local boys’ cricket in Malaysia to becoming a WNCL champion with the NSW Breakers, opening up about finding joy in the game, coping with pressure on the big stage, and navigating the friendly but fierce Sixers–Thunder rivalry. Elsa also talks about the influence of different coaches, the importance of the mental side of cricket, and her dream of one day representing Australia. A warm, inspiring, and engaging chat with one of the brightest young talents in the game. Tune in and enjoy!