Coach Profile: Julie Charlton

26 December 2019

Coach Profile: Julie Charlton

Rushing past in her wheelchair at the Combined High School Championships was Julie Charlton. She stopped briefly to explained: “I’m trying to catch up with the two athletes I just watched competing in the shot put”. She was on a mission to make contact and potentially recruit a couple of new para athletes. It summed up Julie’s commitment to introducing the sport to more athletes.

At just 20, Julie Charlton has been coaching now for a few years.

“I always thought I would start coaching when I retired from athletics,” said Charlton. But the move into coaching occurred much earlier, well before she was ready to retire.

“I was approached by a girl from my wheelchair racing group who wanted to start competing in throwing, and she knew I also competed so she asked if i could help her out. I then went on to complete my Level 1 coach accreditation. I was aged 15 or 16 at the time when I started coaching.”

It started Charlton on a journey of combining coaching with her own athletics career. In 2019 Charlton’s achievement were recognised at the highest level when she was named the 2019 Sport NSW Young Coach of the Year.

“Being awarded NSW Young Coach of the Year was an absolute honour. To be honest my athletes deserve all the recognition but it is truly lovely that I am recognised by my sporting community for what I can give back to the sport which has given so much to me.”

She is keen to inspire more to follow her pathway.

“More young coaches and para coaches will definitely help the sport into the future. There is a severe lack in Para coaches, especially in NSW, so it’s great to have that exposure and recognition for para athletics.”

Charlton coaches at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre warmup track and her squad has a wide range of ages from 15 to 52 years.

“Sarah Clifton-Bligh is my youngest regular athlete at 15-years-old. She has several under-16/18 Australian records and is working towards gaining more confidence in big competitions so that she could possibly represent Australia at the Para-Athletics World Championships or Paralympics.”

“Kim Neuenkirchen is one of my newest athletes, she is also my oldest athlete. She is a gold medalist at the open national championships in discus and also a gold medallist at the Arafura Games. I am very proud of the progress she has made in such a short period of time. She too will one day represent Australia again.”

Charlton recalled some of her highlights as a coach.

“One great moment was watching Kim receive gold at the Arafura Games in my first year of coaching her, another is being beaten by Sarah in javelin. She didn’t realise until the dais where she hugged me so tightly on the podium that she fell backwards out of her wheelchair in a fit of giggles.”

Another highlight for Charlton was an opportunity to coach some foreign athletes from Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands at the Arafura Games.

What drives Charlton to send many hours at the track supporting her athletes?

“It’s always a privilege to give back to the sport. I love watching other athletes and love the sport. I try to pass on my knowledge and help them to become better versions of themselves.

Charlton has a key philosophy as a coach.

“Enjoyment comes before results. If they are not having fun, look for ways to make it fun.”

She also aims to have the athletes in the right state of mind to be the best they can be. We often talk about the important for athletes to enjoy the journey, including the highs and lows and hard work. Charlton has a similar view for coaches.

“Cherish each session with your athletes because without them, you couldn’t coach.”

Charlton has been inspired on her coaching journey by a few mentors including Paralympic great Louise Sauvage, NSW Wheelchair Sports coach Laura Brienesse, Rob Blackadder an official who specifically supports para sport and Cherrybrook club administrator Nicki Jenneke.

“They have all been there for me throughout my athletics career, whether they taught me technique, helped the squad and myself out with equipment needs or were just there to support me, I am forever grateful to have them around.”

Charlton’s own journey in athletics started 10 years ago and she has won medals in the throws at the 2016 International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports World Junior Athletics Championships, 2019 Oceania Championships and 2019 Arafura Games.

“The sport has taught me so much over the years and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without athletics and the wonderful people I’ve met throughout the journey.”

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Julie Charlton (right) with a group of Para athletes