In their continuing attempt to help further develop Bermuda?s young athletes, West End Athletic Club have flown in another prominent track and field personality.

A year ago it was top American Olympian Christie Gaines who visited the Island at the club?s invitation and following in her footsteps this week is well known athletics trainer and consultant Randy Huntington who has played a major role in assisting leading athletes in the United States.

Huntington arrived on the Island yesterday and will be conducting sports clinics at Saltus and the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute this week.

The first clinic takes place at Saltus gymnasium today from 4.30 to 5.30 p.m. for younger athletes and this session will be followed tomorrow when Huntington visits the Underwater Exploration Institute to lecture senior athletes from 7 to 8 p.m.

?Naturally we are delighted to have such a capable individual to assist our athletes, it?s a lead-up to our Bank of Bermuda Foundation West End Athletic Club Challenge track and field meet at the National Sports Centre this Saturday,? said WEAC president Clarence Smith.

?The purpose of having people like Christie Gaines last year and Mr. Huntington this time is to give people information on training techniques and to encourage kids and adults to get more informed on the overall programmes that we have on the Island. Bermuda is fortunate to have experienced people like this come here to play such a role.?

Huntington is well versed in various sports, including track and field, cycling, speed skating, tennis, football, hockey and golf and his areas of expertise include training theory, resistance training and training technology.

?We must continue to push ahead hard with further development, and the important thing about this individual is that he just doesn?t concentrate on the athlete but in all phases of sport which is why it is important to have club officials participate and take full advantage of his presence,? added Smith.

The president hoped Huntington?s presence would also boost interest in the Foundation Challenge meet this weekend, recalling that last year around 300 athletes from primary, middle and high schools competed.

It was a marked improvement on the first year total of around 200, and Smith is confident that this year?s turn-out will reach a new high. Each school has been asked to send at least 12 athletes.

Meanwhile, Smith?s club are planning to attend the AAU National Club Championships in Disney, Orlando in July for the third time.

Last year they took 21 athletes and although Smith is unsure how many will be travelling this time, he noted that the club were presently seeking financial support from the public and business sector.

?These kids are doing great things, we have to strive to continue to give them whatever support we can,? he said.