Sydney Striders is one of Australia original and most successful running clubs. A key pair in the development of this running institution has been the husband and wife coaching team of Run C&T - Caroline Yarnell and Tony Wong.

Over the last couple of decades, Lindsay Watson has been one of the most curial coaches in the development of athletics, athletes and coaches in NSW.

It is fascinating to learn how coaches started their careers. In this article with South Coast coach, Mel Mustapic we learn how she always had a passion for the sport and assisting and encouraging others. After a few years it became more formal when she started a squad. As a country coach she highlights the need to be able to coach across events. Mel’s coaching is a legacy and tribute to great NSW John Atterton, who passed away in 2016.

Andrew Byrne is one of our NSW’s coaches helping deliver athletics to a different group of school children. He is one of our valued coaches in the Australian Sports Commission funded Sporting Schools Program. In this article he provides an understanding of this program and recalls a couple of rewarding moments for him as a coach which highlight the power of sport on wellbeing and confidence. Read more about this program here and his journey. Thanks Andrew for making a difference in the lives of these athletes.

An interest to help people was all the spark RICHARD SARKIES needed to graduate from regular runner into coaching. A small group of athletes grew into a squad and club called ‘Hooked on Running’. Read about Richard’s development, motivation and philosophies as a coach and some practical advice to coaching colleagues.

Andrew Dawes is undoubtedly one of Australia’s finest ever coaches. His early work has been pioneering, setting the standard and a pathway for others to follow. His athletes have included three of the world’s finest Louise Sauvage, Kurt Fearnley and Christie Dawes.

Andrew Dawes is undoubtedly one of Australia’s finest ever coaches. His early work has been pioneering, setting the standard and a pathway for others to follow. His athletes have included three of the world’s finest Louise Sauvage, Kurt Fearnley and Christie Dawes.

Belinda Cosgrove was a very a competitive sprinter who ran against Cathy Freeman and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor in their junior years – and she could match them! Career and family followed for Belinda, but as her daughters showed interest in athletics, she returned to the sport, initially coaching them and as often happens it grew from there into a squad.

How many times have you heard an athlete say, I tried athletics at school, enjoyed it, then decided to join an athletics club. It is one of the most common pathways of athletes into our sport. Also as coaches, we know the impact of sport on young people. It can build and improve confidence, fitness, resilience, tolerance, sense of achievement, reward, patience, connection and engagement.

Coach achievements can often go unrecognised as they work in the background or at the training track. But one performance which must rate as one of the best-ever for Australia was Iryna Dvoskina’s coaching efforts in London – and the many hours, days and months leading up to the event. Canberra-based Dvoskina, coached two NSW and one WA athlete to great success at the Para-Athletics World Championships in London in July.