Weightman credits the coaches who carry her over the finish line 

Behind Australia’s track and field stars is a group of experts who work tirelessly to give our athletes every chance of succeeding at the highest level. For three-time Olympian Lisa Weightman, that includes every coach she’s encountered from her teen years until now. 

In a male dominant football environment at the Preston Bullants in the 1980’s, Peter Weightman addresses his troops. 

Out of sight stands a young Lisa Weightman, hiding behind the legs in the crowd but taking in every word as if she were playing in the game. 

It was here that Weightman would develop a genuine love for sport and an unrivalled competitive edge - two factors that would stand her in good stead for what was to come. 

It wasn’t too long before Lisa began running. 

“My sister and I would go for runs with Dad as a youngster,” she said.

“He later told me that he’d occasionally push the pace a little and when I was able to keep up he knew there was something there.”

After stringing together a series of wins in school cross-country races, the talented junior joined her first athletics coach, Jeff Hawkins. 

“I joined his group as an under 14 boy because there were no girls at the club at the time so it was a little daunting for a shy teenage girl, but it was one of the best decisions I made,” she said. 

“He taught me a few ways to improve my style, introduced me to intervals and created a fun environment for us youngsters.” 

A fruitful stint under the guidance of Hawkins was enough for the duo to forge a lifelong friendship. 

“Jeff always checks in on me even though I’m 42 in January,” she laughed. 

Weightman was well aware of ‘the highs and lows’ of sport after listening to her father’s half-time speeches for years on end - but she was about to experience them firsthand. 

A series of stress fractures as she struggled to balance her studies, work and running were enough to dint Weightman’s confidence, but never her ambition. 

“At the time I knew I could run, however, when you hear you are not good enough year after year it certainly does a number on your confidence,” she said. 

Enter her current coach Dick Telford and the late Pam Turney OAM, two of the most prominent figures throughout Weightman’s 20s, right through to today. 

“I loved Pam dearly, she taught me how to race tough and how to get on with things in spite of any challenges that come my way,” she said. 

“Pam and (her husband) Bob made us all feel like their daughters and it was a very special time in my life that I will be forever thankful for.”

Dick was initially on board as a mentor to Weightman, but soon became coach. 

“Dick helped me through a lot of challenges and gave me the confidence I need to make the breakthrough,” she said. 

“He took me from a state level athlete to a world class athlete and the story is not over yet.

“To have a world class physiologist who is like another dad to me - what more could an athlete want really.” 

And throughout it all, Peter continues to be right by her side. 

“Dad taught me to never give up, despite every challenge, every critic that tries to stand in your way,” she said. 

All four of Weightman’s coaches, including her Dad, have been the pillars of her illustrious career, which still has another chapter to come in 2021, as she eyes off her fourth Olympics in Tokyo. 

Having come a long way from the Preston Bullants huddle and repetitive stress fractures in her teenage years, Weightman’s journey is a credit to all those involved in preparing her physically and mentally for the challenges of sport for decades on end. 

“I am forever grateful for the time these coaches have taken out of their personal lives to help me achieve my dreams, they mean the world to me,” she said. 

By Lachlan Moorhouse
Posted: 8/12/2020