National Throws Centre of Excellence opens at QSAC with a focus on winning medals

The National Throws Centre of Excellence has officially opened at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC) for athletes to perfect their training and performance in discus, shot put, javelin, hammer throw and decathlon.

QLD Sport Minister and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement Stirling Hinchliffe said the centre’s focus was medals for Queensland throwing athletes.

The centre includes cutting-edge diagnostics that capture and analyse technique in real-time to help athletes and coaches develop winning throws. With three dedicated areas for multiple throws disciplines and indoor training, this centre gives athletes the space they need to be their best.

The Queensland Government and Athletics Australia invested $1.85 million and $850,000, respectively into the National Throws Centre of Excellence - a carbon neutral new high-tech, high-performance complex.

Minister Hinchliffe notes “Medal-winning throws and years of training expertise are built into the Centre of Excellence with athletes and coaches involved in the building’s all-weather design.

“As a high-performance Centre of Excellence, this is Queensland’s elite training hub for throws medals at next years’ Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, and beyond.

“Having the National Throws Centre in Brisbane gives Queensland athletes the competitive advantage on our green and gold runway to the Brisbane 2032 Games.

“And it’s set to accelerate the QAS’ search and development of the next generation of home-grown, podium ready throws athletes for 2032.

“The National Throws Centre adds to the growing line-up of world-class QAS infrastructure to give emerging and elite Queensland athletes the training they need to take on the world.

Athletics Australia’s Andrew Faichney said the National Throws Centre would help fast-track Australian success on the world stage and shares “there’s no doubt the opening of the National Throws Centre signifies the beginning of something great as we look ahead to upcoming Olympics and Brisbane 2032. We are excited to see how this infrastructure gives the next generation of throwers a significant boost in their pursuit of excellence.”

QAS Chief Executive Chelsea Warr said the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Stadiums Queensland had also supported the QAS on the high-performance centre’s delivery.

“This excellent partnership ensures our athletes are best prepared to take on the world, and inspire our next generation of 2032 champions,” Warr said.

“As we look towards Paris, LA and of course Brisbane 2032, it is critical that we provide high-tech, world-class, high-performance environments for athletes to train including physical facilities and expert performance support staff.”

Two-time World Javelin Champion, Commonwealth gold medallist and Olympic medallist Kelsey-Lee Barber, Olympic discus thrower and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Matt Denny and Olympic decathlon bronze medallist Ash Moloney are among the QAS-supported Queensland throws athletes now training at the National Throws Centre.

“The facility is world-class and gives me the perfect environment to continue to train towards more World Championship and Olympic gold,” Barber said.

“I hope we can continue to build a strong culture of success in throws events through to Brisbane 2032 and beyond."

The National Throws Centre is also the first carbon neutral QAS facility and part of Queensland’s commitment to delivering the world’s first climate positive Games in 2032.

QSAC Manager Graeme Clark said most of the building featured Queensland-sourced timber and the majority of concrete used was carbon neutral.

Clark adds “the use of semi-translucent roofing and cladding helps to cool the building and eliminates the need for artificial lighting during daytime training.

Image: Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe with Queensland Academy of Sport-supported throws athletes at the new National Throws Centre of Excellence.