NSW All Schools PREVIEW: The coaches behind the athletes

Published Thu 22 Sep 2022

22 Sept 2022

NSW All Schools PREVIEW: The coaches behind the athletes

Standing behind our over 2000 competing athletes at the NSW All Schools this weekend, are hundreds of coaches. They play an integral role in the enjoyment and success of the athletes. They are the people who are track side on those wet winter nights providing encouragement and support to our athletes.

Who are some of these coaches who are making a positive impact and different in the development of our athletes?

Dubbo-base coach Mark Penman will bring 10 of his 30-strong squad to the 2022 NSW All School Championships. Mark who coaches sprints and middle distance, also has athletes from other sports in his squad.

“I have been coaching for six years,” said Mark. “I started coaching because there is plenty of talent in our local area and I wanted to give them the opportunity to progress and hopefully help them to reach their potential.”

One of his stars will be his own daughter Ella Penman who will compete in the 16-years 400m and 800m. Last March at the National championships she won gold (4x400m relay), silver (800m) and bronze (400m). Last week she opened her season at the CCC Schools meet with wins in the 400 and 800m.

Mark Penman is an example of one of the hardest workers for the sport – our coaches. Extraordinary there are coaches who will prepare over 20 and some over 30 athletes for the championships including Olympians Melinda Gainsford-Taylor and Nicole Boegman-Stewart, along with Dani Andres, Katie Edwards, Jordan Williams, Warren Williams, Greg Smith, Jack McPhee, Gary Howard and Jacinta Doyle. Another with a massive squad of over 20 athletes is veteran throws coach David Bruce.

Bring enormous squads from the country with over 10 athletes are Newcastle sprints coach Ramona Casey, Cowra-based throws coach - Ernie Shankelton, Coffs Harbour’s Glenn Thacker, South Coast distance coach Mel Mustapic and Central Coast coaches Mick Zisti and Kerry Smith.

Also country-based, South Coast’s Andae Kalemusic and Brad Woods (Hunter), have large squads from across the State.

At last year’s NSW All Schools, day one of the championships were dominated by Riverina athletes, largely from Temora and Wagga. Their coach, Greg Wiencke will again bring a large and competitive squad for the 2022 championships, led by sprinter/jumper Grace Krause.

Bringing over 15 athletes to the championships includes squads from Marilyn Pearson, Graham Garnett, Andy Burton, Rhys Stein, Rob Marks, Roger Fabri, Ryan Dowling, Sharyn Dickson, Bre Clement and Karyne Di Marco.

Westfields Sports High coaches Brett Mathison and Dan Suchy also are coaching over 15 athletes each at the championships. Ben Gavin (The King's School), Matthew Wade (Trinity Grammar) and Cathy Walsh (Saint Ignatius' College) also bring over 10 athletes to the championships.

Nicole Fagan, who was a team coach at the recent Commonwealth Games, will be putting that experience and knowledge gained to effect with her 10 plus walks squad at the championships.

Distances coaches Deb Walsham and Benn Liddy, who both had athletes on the recent World U20 Championships team, have over 10 competing.

A big thank you to a host of other coaches who have over 10 competing, including: Samantha Latanis, Jay Stone, Vanessa Price, Inner West-based coach Hassan Rasheed, Hills sprint coach Leo Duley and three from the Sutherland Shire - Jock Campbell, Ray Russell and Davina Strauss.

It is great to see current and recent young athletes, some who have represented Australia, helping to guide the next generation. They include Carla Takchi, Scarlett Pye, Susie Douglas, Abbie Taddeo, Alysha Burnett, Jye Perrott, Jacob McCrory, Katie Smee, Katrina Blackett, Larissa Pasternatsky, Leonard King and Mia Hemsworth.

Many Olympians and Paralympians are also now in the coaching ranks and will guide athletes this weekend, including Louise Sauvage, Lyn Jacenko, Fred Martin, Penny Gillies, Peter Farmer, Scott Westcott, Zsuzsanna Olgyay-Zsabo, Jane Jamieson, Jeremy Roff and Ben St Lawrence.

Another key group of coaches includes those who have coached athletes to the Olympics including Lawrie Barclay, Lindsay Watson and John Quinn.

Award winning coach, Drew Fryer has a large squad and Dennis Coker will juggle his officiating responsibilities with coaching. Annabelle Davies, who was the ‘foundation building coach’ to javelin star Mackenzie Little, has over seven athletes competing.

A special mention to new rising coach Stephen Perry. A 46.00 400m athlete himself who represented Australia, has a group in western Sydney and the northern Suburbs. In addition to coaching his talented son Xavier Perry, he is guiding the CAS 100m winner Alexander Sherlock who last week clocked 10.54 in pouring rain last week.

To all the coaches, thank you for the positive environments you generate for all our athletes to enjoy the sport. We wish you every success over the four-day NSW All Schools Championships and the season ahead.

READ earlier previews:

NSW All Schools PREVIEW: Internationals return

NSW All Schools PREVIEW: Para-Athletics events

NSW All Schools PREVIEW: New Names to Watch in 2022 - girls

NSW All Schools PREVIEW: New Names to Watch in 2022 - boys

EVENT PROFILE – NSW All Schools Track & Field Championships

When? 24 to 27 September 2022

Where? Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre

More information: including timetable entries, age groups and rules

https://www.nswathletics.org.au/events/144824/

Live results https://results.nswathletics.org.au/

Daily articles https://www.nswathletics.org.au/home/