Recently crowned as the ‘European Sprint Queen’ at last month’s European Athletics Championships, Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands is a shining talent.
The European Athletics Coaches’ Association (EACA) are delighted to announce that Bart Bennema, Schippers’ coach, will be presenting at the 2014 edition of the International Festival of Athletics Coaching in Rome, Italy, from 31 October - 2 November 2014.
The Dutch heptathlete stunned all observers with a sprint double, winning both the 100m and 200m, but despite being the European Sprint Queen she remains committed to the Heptathlon. Still only 22, Schippers has made huge progress under the direction of Coach Bennema and as well as clocking personal bests and gold medals in the sprints, she also set a new heptathlon best and national record in Götzis this year.
Schippers announced herself onto the combined events scene after winning the World Junior title in Moncton back in 2010 and has dabbled in both the sprint events and the heptathlon at major championships. In 2012 at the London Olympics, Schippers finished in 12th position in the heptathlon.
Leaping forward from the Olympics, Schippers and Bennema continued to work on her sprinting talents and at the European Athletics Under-23 Championships she claimed gold in the 100m. The following month she claimed a fine bronze at the World Championships, scoring a national record to reach the podium in Moscow.
Bennema’s success is not only limited to his fine work with Schippers, but his latest prodigy includes Nadine Visser. At this year’s World Junior Championships, Visser stood on the medal podium twice in Oregon. After claiming a fine bronze medal in the Heptathlon, she claimed another bronze in the 100m Hurdles.
The EACA looks forward to welcoming Bart Bennema to Rome for the 2014 edition of IFAC after a fantastic year with Schippers and Visser. You can book your place at IFAC by visiting the new EACA website: www.athleticscoaches.eu.