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Coaching is a fundamental ingredient for success in any athletic pursuit. The Hills Athletics Club is privileged to have qualified and experienced coaches present to guide athletes in all track or field, cross country, walks or road running discipline. A large number of state and national champions are also proud wearers of the navy and gold of Hills, indicative of the high standards of coaching that exist at Hills Athletics Club.
Our coaches are all accredited with the Australian Track & Field Coaches Association (ATFCA) and are bound by the rules, regulations and by-laws set down by that organisation. Positions for assistant coaches are currently available. Interested individuals should make enquiries regarding formal coaching qualifications by contacting Steve Whelan or Ron White. Alternately, Ron is also available for consultation at our home track (see map) on Monday and Wednesday nights from 6:30pm.
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RON WHITE
The current Vice President and Coaching Co-ordinator at Hills District Athletics Club, Ron White is also the longest serving official of the Hills Club, with over 25 years experience in track and field coaching. His extensive qualifications include:
- Level 3 Coach
- President, Australian Track & Field Coaches Association (ATFCA NSW Branch)
- NSW Institute of Sport Coach
- Western Academy of Sport Coach
- Westfield Sports High School Coach
Over the span of two decades, Ron has provided valuable input into the careers of a vast array of world class athletes, from 1998 World Junior Championship high jumper Darrel Muzyczka, nine-time State Championship winning triple jumper Tim Barnes, 400m hurdler and 2000 Olympian Stephanie Price, to the prodigious 2003 400m hurdle World Champion Jana Pittman.
Ron's current stable includes 2004 National Schools 100m hurdles champion Leo Dulay, number one national U20's decathlete Michael Barber, rising heptathlete Jo Waring, and an experienced lineup including Anna Ugov, Katelyn Grehan, Darren Boulet, Nathan Bates and Jessica Fisher.
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STEVE WHELAN
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STEVE DENNING
Widely regarded as one of the most successful junior coaches in the Hills district, Steve's time with the Hills Club has seen him responsible for overlooking the development of many of the Hills' most glamorous and prodigious juniors. Steve has had a lengthy background in track, with early success as a junior, winning the NSW School Championships in both the 100m and high jump over the period 1967-1970.
Twice nominated for Coach of the Year Award, first in 2000 by the NSW Track and Field Coaches Association and again in 2001 by the Australian Track and Field Coaches Association, Steve has been content with running a comparatively smaller squad than many rival coaches. Nevertheless, his stable including Michelle Riley, a regular medal contender in both the 100m and 200m at junior national level, has continued to produce a consistently high level of results at state, national and international meets.
Holding Level 1 Jumps and Level 2 Young Athlete accreditation, Steve has also filled a key role with Hills' Little Athletics sister Club, nurturing the progression of talented Hills juniors through his position as Little Athletics Age Manager since 1998.
Denning's squad trains on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings at our home track, as well as regular sessions at Sydney Olympic Park and Narrabeen.
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MATT RAWLINGS
Five-time junior national 400 metre medallist Matthew Rawlings leads one of Hills' newest and most exciting packs, a lineup of athletes that includes state 800 metre finalist Sean Geoghegan, Pat Vidot and Lauren Shirvington.
