Spring News 2007

Paul Murray Interviews... Phillip Bellingham

 Back to 2007 Spring News

Phillip Bellingham joined the Australian Junior Team in 2006 in the U16 Junior category and won the U16 Australian Championship again this year. Paul Murray interviewed Phillip in his home town of Mt Beauty in the middle of October.

Phillip how did you first get into XC ski racing?

My parents always did cross country sking so I was just brought up doing it. I started skiing at about 18 months old with gum boots straped to skis and have done it ever since. My first races were Telemark mini-series races.

You have had a great season this year even though you struggled with injury before winter. What was the best part of the season for you?

The highlight of the season was competing in the night sprints before the Hoppet. Although I didn't do very well it was just great to be there competing with such high class athletes in such an exciting atmosphere.

So what plans do you have for summer? Have you been doing any training since the winter finished?

Since the ski season finished I got straight into training on my bike. I have already raced in a couple of minor club road races with some success so I am enjoying that at the moment. Over the summer I plan to compete in some various mountain bike races and I am also going to try out for the Murray Bushrangers which is a football team which plays in a state league all over Victoria.

Last year was your first year as a junior on the national squad. This year you consolidated that spot easily. What is it like being a member on the team and getting to train with the other junior and senior athletes on camps?

I really appreciate the help with designing a training program and the support from the older athletes is great. It's good to have high quality coaches giving helpful advice and feedback on race days.

Tell us a bit about the national training camp that you were at in September?

The camp went over 5 days. We did lots of long slow distance sessions on snow doing both classic and skating, we also did some dry land sessions including striding intervals, gym sessions, double poling and core strength.

You live in Mt Beauty, which seems to be a mecca for XC ski racers. Do you think that gives you an advantage over the other juniors in Australia?

Yes it's really good as you know that there's always other people around doing training sessions and you can go with them if you need a change or are losing motivation. It's also great being so close to Falls because it takes no effort to just whip up for a quick session on snow.

What is it you like most about XC ski racing?

I just love training and getting fitter and fitter. On race day I love pushing myself and getting as much out of myself as I can and if I win the feeling that all the training has paid off is pretty good.

You seem to mix playing aussie rules football and ski racing pretty well. What sort of challenges do you face doing this? Do you have a favourite sport of the two?

I have trouble mixing and doing specific training for both the sports at the same time and when there's major ski races on the same day as footy I have to choose between them which is often hard but I usually go skiing. At the moment I don't really have a favorite but soon enough I'll have to choose between the two I'm sure.

What are your skiing goals for the future?

Because I've got this dilemma between football and skiing it's really hard to look too far into the future but I hope to keep both going as much as I can. I will know in a couple of years whether I will make it in football and because skiing is an endurance sport it won't be too late to continue with skiing at that point of time.

What advice can you give to other kids who are just starting out as XC ski racers, and want to make the national junior team?

You just need to enjoy the sport and not train too hard at a really young age as you will turn yourself off the sport. You still need to be persistant and patient and keep up some regular training. Don't slack off.

What else do you get up to when you aren't ski racing or playing footy?

Usually I just try to ride my bike as fast as I can for as long as I can as many times as I can but other than that I just go to school and in summer I play a bit of cricket. I am just starting some sprint training to get some speed back.

What's your favourite food? Lasagne

Favourite TV program? The Simpsons

Favourite band-song, right now? Love Generation by Bob Sinclair

Have you got a sporting hero that you follow?

Nathan Buckley who plays for Collingwood is my hero as he is the best and most consistent there is, but now that he's retired i'll have to get a new hero.

Thanks Phil, enjoy your summer and we look forward to seeing you in action next winter!   


Phillip on the treadmill at the AIS in June 2007

 Back to 2007 Spring News