Fletcher fills a coaching void

31 March 2020

Fletcher fills a coaching void

NSW’s Hunter area has been a fertile region for talented horizontal jumpers, but when Max Debnam flagged his retirement, a member of his squad Shaun Fletcher took the baton.

An early horizontal jumps triumph in the Hunter region was Janet Knee who won a long jump bronze medal at the 1962 Commonwealth Games. But key to her success was her coach Max Debnam, who in later years coached Olympians Linda Garden and Paul Henderson, amongst dozens of internationals. A decade ago, Debnam, who is currently in his 60th year of coaching, indicated he was winding down his coaching responsibilities. One local athlete, Shaun Fletcher, felt an obligation to fill the void.

Fletcher, who was aged 30 when he heard Debnam’s coaching news in 2012 explains his progression into coaching.

“There were a couple of triggers, firstly, I was reaching the end of my career as a high level long jumper and secondly because my coach, Max Debnam had announced that he would be retiring from full time coaching. I knew there was a distinct lack of jumps coaches in the Newcastle area, so I felt a responsibility to the sport to take up coaching. I always thought I would get into coaching more seriously at the end of my career, however, the timeline probably snuck up on me a little quicker than I was expecting.”

Fletcher, who coaches at the Glendale track and uses The Forum gym at Uni of Newcastle for strength work, has a core squad of seven athletes. The shining light has been Erin Cleaver, who has won medals at the Paralympics, Commonwealth Games and World Para-Athletics Championships, an extraordinary achievement for athlete who only recently turned 20. He next goal is the 2021 Paralympics in Tokyo.

An emerging squad member has been teenager Tahla Pont who has personal bests of 12.23m (triple jump) and 5.93m (long jump). She, like so many others, have been shattered by the summer season being cut short in 2020.

Others in his squad include Global Games representatives, Lleyton Lloyd and Blake Carr, sprinters/jumpers Lainee Harrison and Abbey Bowditch and Masters athlete Daniel Beard.

What keeps Fletcher motivated to spend the many hours coaching his squad?

“I was lucky enough to work with some great coaches in my career including Sharon and Peter Hannan and Max Debnam. I saw how they inspired their athletes and became more than just a coach to so many (myself included) and I wanted to try and do the same.

“I enjoy watching my athletes grow, not just as athletes, but as people. I love the rapport I have with my athletes and I love the emotional rollercoaster that we go through, throughout each season. Some days are incredibly difficult for sure, but those days when everything comes together are priceless.”

What is his coaching philosophy?

-PB’s are more important than medals, but having fun is more important than anything.

-If it was easy, everyone would do it.

-Train smarter, not harder.

I’m sure I’ve stolen those last two from somewhere.

What have been his coaching highlights?

“There are so many. I find myself remembering a highlight for each athlete, and feeling just as excited about each of them, regardless of the level. My top three would probably be:

• Erin Cleaver winning silver in the T38 long jump at the Para-Athletics World Championships in London in 2017. This was especially sweet as she had missed a medal at the 2015 World Championships in Doha as well as the 2016 Paralympics by a mere two centimetres each time!

• Abbey Bowditch winning a silver medal at the Australian All Schools in the 15-years long jump in 2017 after initially not making the NSW team (she finished third at the NSW All Schools). She got the call up after one of the other girls withdrew, followed our plan to perfection and jumped a 30 cm PB to claim silver.

• Tahla Pont jumping a PB by almost 30 cm in the long jump at the 2018 Arafura Games in Darwin after having a tough season riddled with injury and frustration. To see her jump so well after so many set-backs was a very rewarding moment for me as a coach.

Fletcher reflected on his own athletics career which including PB of 7.71m (long jump) and 15.73m (triple jump).

“By far my best achievement was placing sixth in the long jump at the World University Games in Belgrade, Serbia in 2009. Although I never achieved amazing things in the sport, I think I came close to reaching my full potential as a long jumper. I came through during a time when we had incredible long jumpers (Mitch Watt, Fabrice Lapierre, Henry Frayne, Robbie Crowther, Tim Paravicini, John Thornell & Chris Noffke) and it was a privilege to jump against these athletes on a regular basis.

I also made a Stawell Gift final in 2007 of which I am incredibly proud (even though I finished last).”

When Fletcher is not at the track, he is teaching mathematics at Lambton High School or spending time with his wife Cassandra and 4-year-old boy, Oliver.

A big thanks to Shaun for his significant contribution to the sport through coaching. Shaun, like many coaches, provide a positive environment and many opportunities for people in our sport that are immeasurable.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Images: Shaun Fletcher and athlete Erin Cleaver

Profiles on some of Shaun Fletcher athletes:

Lainee Harrison (15) – an up and coming T37 sprinter and long jumper who will hopefully be knocking on the door of national team selection in the next 12 months.

Abbey Bowditch (17) – a LJ/200m specialist who has worked hard to get back into her best shape after missing a whole season with a small stress fracture in her back. Probably the hardest training athlete in the squad.

Lleyton Lloyd (20) – a talented T20 long jumper and sprinter who has represented Australia at Oceania, Special Olympics and INAS Global Games amongst other things.

Blake Carr (25) – a talented T20 allrounder who dabbles in everything from discus, to long jump, sprints and hurdles. Has represented Australia at Oceania and INAS Global Games. Always gives 110% in everything he does.

Daniel Beard – my most “mature” athlete, Daniel has a PhD and spends most of his time researching strokes. Is planning to make his mark on the Masters circuit.