Rural Training for Poor Athletes
Bridging the gap between rural talent and professional athletics โ completely free of charge.
How We Select & Train Rural Athletes
India's rural villages hide extraordinary athletic talent. Many young students in Tamil Nadu's rural schools sprint, jump, and climb with natural ability that, with the right coaching, could take them to national and international podiums. But they have no access to specialised training, no money for equipment, and no pathway to competitive athletics.
Don's Pole Vault Academy changes that. Chief Coach Don Wilcox and the Academy team personally visit rural schools across Tamil Nadu to scout athletes. We look for natural speed, body coordination, fearlessness, and coachability. When we find them โ we bring them to Chennai.
From the moment they join, everything is provided: a place to stay at Nehru Stadium, Chennai, professional pole vault coaching, academic support, competition-grade poles, and the annual Ooty altitude camp โ all at zero cost to the athlete and their family.
Step 1 โ Rural School Scouting
Coach Don Wilcox and team visit government and rural schools across Tamil Nadu districts, running basic fitness and coordination assessments to identify high-potential students.
Step 2 โ Bring to Chennai
Selected athletes are brought to Chennai with full family consent and are settled into accommodation at Nehru Stadium โ their new home base for training.
Step 3 โ Train & Compete
Intensive daily training follows a structured curriculum from grip technique to full vault. Athletes are registered for state and national competitions as soon as they are ready to compete.
Everything an Athlete Needs โ Free
Our program removes every financial barrier between a rural student and a national athletics career.
Free Accommodation
Athletes live at Nehru Stadium, Chennai โ safe, supervised accommodation provided at zero cost for the entire duration of their training program.
Professional Coaching
World-class pole vault technique coaching by Chief Coach Don Wilcox โ a nationally experienced coach with personal Deaf Olympics coaching credentials.
Education Support
We ensure athletes can continue their school or college education alongside training. Sports and academics are equally prioritised at the Academy.
Poles & Equipment
Competition-grade fiberglass poles are provided through sponsor donations. Athletes never have to purchase equipment โ everything is supplied.
Annual Ooty Camp
Every year, athletes attend the 15km altitude training camp in Ooty โ building cardiovascular endurance, mental toughness, and team spirit.
Competition Entry
Athletes are registered for state and national competitions. The Academy handles all logistics and fees so athletes can focus purely on performance.
Ooty Altitude Training Camp
15km Trekking for Endurance
Every year, Don's Pole Vault Academy organises a high-altitude training camp in Ooty, Tamil Nadu. Athletes undertake a demanding 15km trek through the Nilgiri hills โ not just for fitness, but to build the mental resilience that competitions demand.
At altitude, the body works harder. Cardiovascular capacity improves. Athletes return to Chennai stronger, faster, and more mentally prepared for upcoming national-level meets. The camp has been running continuously for over 5 years, funded generously by friends and sponsors of the Academy.
Cardiovascular Endurance
Altitude training increases red blood cell production, improving oxygen delivery during high-intensity vaulting events.
Mental Strength
Completing a 15km mountain trek teaches athletes to push through exhaustion โ a skill that translates directly to competitive performance.
Team Bonding
Shared adversity builds unbreakable team spirit. Athletes who struggle and succeed together perform better in competitive settings.
Sponsor Funded
The entire camp โ travel, accommodation, food, and logistics โ is funded by sponsors and well-wishers of the Academy. Athletes pay nothing.
Nominate a Talented Athlete
Do you know a student from a rural school in Tamil Nadu who has the speed, agility, and determination to become a pole vault champion? We want to hear from you.
Teachers, parents, coaches, and community leaders can nominate students by filling in the form. Our team will reach out to assess the athlete. There is no fee and no obligation โ just the chance to change a young person's life forever.
Who Should You Nominate?
- โ Age: 12โ22 years
- โ From a rural school or underprivileged background
- โ Shows natural speed, agility, or jumping ability
- โ Has the determination to commit to training
- โ Family willing to allow relocation to Chennai
Nomination Form
Together, We Can Change a Life
A sponsor's pole. A coach's time. A family's trust. That's all it takes.