Grass roots sporting organisations provide opportunities for Australia’s youth and are vital for equal access by all potential Olympians. Not only do Olympians emerge from these programs, but so do the volunteers and coaches who support the Olympians on their way to the Games.
Growing up on the family farm at West Pine, Amy Cure was involved in various sports like basketball and Little Athletics, but it was cycling that became her passion. Alongside her sister Sarah, Amy competed in team pursuit racing. It was her stamina and strength that saw her win competitions — and fail PE at school because she was away cycling too much! While Amy just missed out on team selection for the 2008 Beijing Games, she shone at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. In 2016, inspired by Amy’s drive of “We’re here to do the job”, her team achieved fifth place despite being bruised and battered from a fall in practice. Amy retired when the 2020 Tokyo Games were cancelled and is now an oncology nurse in South Australia.
Triathletes cycle, swim, and run their way to victory. Craig Walton started out as a member of the Ulverstone Surf Life Saving Club. He trained with his father Vic in Devonport and Ulverstone and was competing in surf carnivals and Junior Ironman competitions at the age of 7, and started in the Devonport Triathlon at the age of 19. After high school he undertook his apprenticeship with Fairbrother Construction. They sponsored him for competition and his Olympic bid. Craig competed in the first Olympic Triathlon in the 2000 Sydney Games with loud praise from his family and fans. He has continued to coach the next generation of athletes.
Richard Fromberg is an Ulverstone-born Olympian competing in Tennis. He started playing when10 years old and held a career-high singles ranking of 24. The 1992 Barcelona Games were his first Olympics. At these Games, he suffered a 3-2 loss in a gruelling five set match in the Men’s Singles. Richard Fromberg retired from international competition in 2004 and joined the Australian Institute of Sport as a coach at the Rod Laver Arena.
Local History Central Coast – The Olympians
