American Pole Vault Association
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APVA
What is our goal?
The goal of the American Pole vault association was first and foremost with the youth pole vault community as the main focus. We want to provide fun and exciting events for athletes to compete in that would not only make it exciting for the athletes, but find a way to introduce an event to the public that they may not have seen it before. We also aim to provide education as well as support to those that are wanting to participate in the sport any way can within our capabilities.
Founder and Director of Tribe Elite
Rob Weighall
"Coach Rob" founded Tribe Elite Athletics in 2019 as an instrument of philanthropy and professional stewardship centered on the goal of delivering elite athletic coaching and youth-leadership development to his local community. Fortunate to have several amazing mentors early in his life, a profound retrospect as an adult has emphasized the personal importance of giving back to this same ethos. During the past twenty years, Coach Rob has persisted in modeling his work ethic to exemplify and offer the same opportunities as those of his Champions. Recognizing his athletic and business success stemmed from these people, Coach Rob's priority each day is finding a way to give back and advance the same level of leadership to our next generation of youth athletes.
Personal Athletic History
As a youth athlete, Coach Rob earned multiple titles as a High School Track & Field National Champion in the Decathlon, Pole Vault, and Long Jump events. He also excelled with additional All-American Honors as a Javelin Thrower and 110-meter Hurdler. Extending his career onto the collegiate stage as a Decathlete, Coach Rob became a 5-year Letterman and All-SEC (Southeastern Conference) Pole Vaulter at Auburn University while maintaining the priority of the SEC's Student-Athlete Honor Roll.
Education
During his time at Auburn, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems Management and a Master's degree in Business Administration & Information Systems, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Beyond his enjoyment of coaching, today, Coach Rob's primary employment centers on delivering information technology solutions to the United States Defense Department.
APVA Founder
Chris Spear
Coach Spear founded American Pole Vault Association in 2024 because he felt there was a need to provide events, support, and education for the pole vault in his area. He wanted to find ways to give back to the sport that has given him so much joy and provided life long friendships with people around the world. He reached out Rob Weighall through a mutual friend about making APVA the Pole vault arm of Tribe Elite. With very similar desires APVA was created. With this new venture he has a desire to grow APVA so that he can provide more events as well as on going education and supportive opportunities to those that would otherwise have none.
Personal Athletic History
AS a high school athlete, coach Spear was a state record holder in the pole vault indoors and was a multiple time all american in national events. After high School he attended clemson university where he was a 4 year letterman and all-ACC athlete. After college he trained 3 years in Jonesboro, Arkansas with Earl Bell.
Education
While at Clemson, he achieved a bachelors of in Community Recreation with a minor in Exercise physiology. He continues to read, attend clinics, and network with coaches around the country to try and learn more about this sport from different points of view.
Coaching accolades
HE started Peak athletics pole vault training in 2012 and has coached many middle and high school state champions and medalists in the states of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and south Carolina. He has coached multiple athletes to all-American honors as well as an athlete that won the nationals twice as well as achieving the second highest indoor jump in US High school athletics.