Troode Guided by Greats | Coach Appreciation Month

In its purest form, Lyndsay Troode sees coaching as an investment in people. Fresh off the birth of her second child, the athlete turned coach has navigated pregnancy and coaching through a strong network of women led by Sharon Hannan and Lyn Foreman.

One of six coaches in Athletics Australia’s inaugural Athlete to Coach Pathway program intake funded by the AIS Performance Pathway Grant, Troode has unlocked a range of resources to enhance both her craft and experience as a coach – none greater than mentor and esteemed coach Sharon Hannan.

“It has been one of the biggest things out of the program, allowing me to build that support around my coaching. Sharon has been incredible in sharing her knowledge and experiences, and having someone to bounce ideas off, especially with different event groups,” Troode said.

“Being able to have that support network of like-minded people who have gone through the same experiences which are often unique to females has been crucial. I think there is that component where women are juggling family, health, fitness, and a career.”

Eager to remain connected and give back to the sport after retiring in 2018, Troode jumped at the opportunity to work under Lyn Foreman as an assistant coach of their Western Australian squad, recently assuming responsibility for her own athletes predominantly competing over 400m and 800m.  

“This year I have started taking on my own little squad, still working closing with Lyn but now I write my own programs for about eight athletes,” Troode said.

“For me it’s not really about the bigger items and more so about the small wins. That’s a mentality that we try to build within the squad and it resonates with my goals in coaching; I coach to help athletes achieve their goals at the level they desire, whether that’s a personal best or an Australian team.”

Much like her career on the track, the 36-year-old mother of two has successfully overcome the barriers that historically have proven difficult for women with the support of Hannan and Foreman, notably balancing priorities throughout her pregnancy and in raising her young family with husband Chris.  

“Sharon has been really good in finding that balance and giving really practical advice. Lyn has been pivotal in helping all my athletes with that on the ground element while I was at home or hospital,” Troode said.

“It’s quite daunting particularly for first time mums, they don’t really know what they have in store for them – even leaving the house can be quite unpredictable. Training became a bit of me-time because it is something that I am passionate about.

“These programs and levels of support make all of that more achievable, which will hopefully decrease the drop off rate of women in coaching.”

Troode’s return to coaching is another milestone in her career, with training now consisting of calling splits and offering guidance with a pram and baby by her side, rather than accumulating lactic acid herself.

The Athlete to Coach Pathway program is a key initiative of Athletics Australia’s High Performance Coach Strategy which aims to support and develop system and personal coaches for the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028, with a further update to come on the recently established Women in High Performance Coaching Program.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 07/02/2022