The program is a joint Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR) and WA Institute of Sport (WAIS) effort.

It caters at an introductory level for 12 to 14-year-olds and at an advanced level for 15 to 21-year-olds and is offered to athletes awarded Smarter than Smoking Country Sport Scholarships.

WA Institute of Sport, rower and Beijing Olympian Todd Skipworth o shared his experiences and gave the athletes an insight into elite sport.

The young athletes got a chance to ask him questions and not surprisingly, most revolved around competing in the Beijing Olympics and his current quest to make it to a second Olympics in London.

“It was a great program,” Emma said, “There was no practical work, it was all speakers telling us how to look after ourselves to get the best results in our chosen sport.

“We also learnt what to do after training so that we don’t get tight muscles.

“Nutrition was another good subject. From that speaker we learnt what we should eat before and after training sessions and games.”

Michelle said she found the program very educational, “We learnt a lot more about our bodies’ needs in training and competition,” she said.

“The camp also helped me set my goals for my future.”

Both girls are looking forward to participating in the program in two years time, when they will be old enough to join in the full two day program.

DSR talent development regional coordinator Samantha Shields said GAP was set up to help talented young athletes achieve a balance between sport and life by preparing them for the transition from a state to national competition level.

“GAP gives these young regional athletes an even greater chance to succeed at the top level, which can be extra challenging for regional athletes who also have to compete with barriers like distance from facilities, training and development opportunities, coaches and competitions – as the name implies it’s all about bridging that GAP,”

At the January GAP camp, the 12 to 14- year-olds attended workshops on nutrition, time management and goal setting, injury prevention and sports pathways.

The 15to 21-year-olds attended an overnight camp with a more in-depth look at those subjects as well as leadership, self awareness, planning and managing transitions and drugs in sport.

Thirty four talented athletes from regional areas across Western Australia attended the program and 22 were from the South West.