Coach Appreciation Month

This month, Athletics Australia will celebrate its first ever Coach Appreciation Month, with track and field athletes paying respect to the people who have shaped their careers.

Over the course of December, athletes will shine a light on the efforts made by their coaches, focusing on the central role they play from the grassroots level all the way to Australia's high performance teams.

Australian Olympian Morgan Mitchell says that coaches often go unnoticed in the athletics world despite working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure their athletes are in the best physical and mental shape on the start line. 

“It’s important for the athletics community to thank our coaches because they sometimes don’t get enough attention or respect,” she said. 

“The amount of hard work they put into us athletes emotionally, physically and mentally is incredible and we owe them everything for that.

“They deserve it just as much as we do.” 

The initiative provides an opportunity for athletes to reflect on the contributions made by their coaches and to share a message of appreciation with the Australian athletics community about the integral role those figures have played in their achievements on and off the track.

Athletes will be paying tribute to their coaches, using #ThankYourAthsCoach and Athletics Australia is encouraging the wider Australian athletics community to follow suit and show their appreciation to the coaches in their lives who have shaped their progress. 

Mitchell says she would not be the athlete or woman she is today without the guidance of her former coach Peter Burke who helped her skyrocket up the Australian rankings.

“The coach that has had the most influence on my athletics career is definitely Peter Burke,” she said. 

“He’s taught me a lot about myself as an athlete and a person, I trust him with my life and would do anything for him.” 

Mitchell’s tribute to Peter Burke for Coach Appreciation Month speaks volumes for the impact Burke has had on her life. 

“Thank you, I hope you know how much you mean to me and how much I love you,” she said. 

“My career would be nothing without you.” 

The bond between athlete and coach is truly unique, with a major focus of Coach Appreciation Month being to share stories detailing how these relationships extend beyond physical performance to mental health factors such as instilling trust and self-belief. 

This is a relationship that Mitchell is now forging with Elizabeth Mathews.

“I’d also like to thank my current coach Liz Mathews, she’s up there on the same level as my mum which is huge in my books,” she said. 

“She is definitely an incredible woman that deserves the recognition.” 

All coaches are united in their passion for athletics and the ability to make a difference in the lives of others through their unwavering support - whether that be an Olympic or Paralympic medal or the mental health benefits of recreational athletics. 

Athletics Australia would like to recognise the efforts made by all coaches in the Australian athletics community and express our gratitude for the invaluable role they play in both the current and future success of the sport in this country. 

The month of December is the time to say thanks. 

By: Lachlan Moorhouse

Posted: 1/12/2020