Abbotsford’s Thane Timmerman turned heads in March at the RBC Training Ground event in Burnaby, and has now advanced to test his skills against some of the best young athletes in the province this month.
RBC Training Ground is a talent identification and athlete funding program designed to uncover athletes with Olympic potential and help them get all the resources they need to excel on the world stage.
It’s open to any athletes from 14 to 25 and there are 14 national sport organizations involved in the 2018 program, including: athletics, rugby, cycling, judo, canoe/kayak, water polo, women’s basketball, speed skating, freestyle, rowing, cross country ski and wrestling.
Timmerman, who competes in sprinting events with the Valley Royals Track and Field team and plays soccer, impressed in the athletics or track and field portion of the event. He also tried out last year, but failed to make it past the regional stage in his first shot at age 14.
Athletes were tested on their strength, speed and endurance at the event, with the top in each age group advancing to the provincial stage. Timmerman, who races in the 100 metres, 200 m and relay for the Royals, impressed judges with his speed and booked his ticket to the next round.
He now joins some of the best athletes from across B.C. at the Richmond Olympic Oval for provincial testing on April 7. If he impresses there, he will move on to the national event.
Once the next level of analysis is complete, up to 30 athletes from across the country will receive additional assistance (up to $7,500 per year for up to two years from RBC) that will be used towards things such as travel, nutrition and coaching. The funds will be administered by the Canadian Olympic Foundation and the select NSO.
Timmerman is a Grade 10 student at Abbotsford Senior.
Visit cbc.ca/olympics/trainingground.
