Gordon and Co Placing Toowoomba on the Map | National Volunteers Week

The Darling Downs Athletics Club is quickly becoming a hub for emerging talent within the region, headed by a group of volunteer coaches including Toowoomba’s Vanessa Gordon sharing knowledge in class and on the grass.

A school teacher by trade, Gordon’s passion for athletics and guiding the youth through their teenage years is proving the perfect combination for coaching – specialising in high jump:

“Initially it was just to give the kids something to do, and to let them know that athletics is not just about running. It’s good to get them doing something physical and other than computer games, a lot of my athletes are out of school and it’s good to keep them going at an age where we lose a lot.”

“I got into coaching because I used to be a high jumper and then I became a PE teacher. I went to one of the sports events and the only kids doing the Fosbury Flop were the private school kids, which didn’t really sit right with me.”

Linking up with local high performance coaches including Jody Erbacher and Jacqueline Gallagher, Toowoomba athletes continue to impress on the domestic scene and even the world stage – as demonstrated by World Championships representative Brielle Erbacher and World Under 20 sprinter Jai Gordon. 

“We all talk, swap ideas and help each other out in our little country town. We work together and that’s what I really like about being up here. I send some of my kids to Jacqui for sprint training to improve their high jump,” Gordon said.

"Jackie was actually responsible for getting me back into coaching after 15-years off. She is not only the coach of both my boys but she is a fantastic mentor. She inspires and motivates me to be the best coach I can be and is always encouraging and supportive." 

Initially adopting the basic facilities at the Darling Downs Athletics Club, some new additions have allowed athletes to reach new heights, including brother Aden and Geordie Cowdroy who own personal bests of 2.03m and 2.04m respectively.

“We train on a track grass track. We have a couple of strips of tartan for long jump which we use occasionally, but Darling Downs Athletics Club has been fantastic and purchased the full sized mats and high jumps bars that go over two-metres. We have a very supportive club,” Gordon said.

Bouncing ideas off coach Daniel O’Sullivan and the likes of Marty Stolberg and Jane Scotney, Gordon gradually transitioned from attending Target Talent Programs with Jai to coaching, inspiring the squad to dream big in their small community.

“We go to Brisbane occasionally, but it’s good to show kids that we can do these things in Toowoomba – having Jai around has taught me that we can do these things ourselves,” Gordon said.

“I find teaching extremely stressful, and I find coaching really fun.”

The team at Darling Downs Athletics Club regularly battle wet weather and dragging mats in and out from undercover, driven by a love for the sport and seeing young people realise their potential. As for convincing her 10.28-second sprinting son Jai to transition to the high jump, the answer is simple:

“You will never see Jai go over a warm up bar.”

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 21/5/2023