Coaches
MWLAC has a range of incredible coaches ready to teach your little athletes to be the best they can be. Learn a bit more about each of them here. You can book into sessions with them on Mondays or Wednesdays on our training bookings tab!
Track-
Lee Batchler
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Head Sprints Coach Coaching Coordinator and Level 3 Sprints Coach Originally from the Sunshine State, Lee brings a wealth of experience to Manly Warringah Little Athletics. He has coached primary and secondary athletes, with many competing at State and National levels. Lee’s own sprinting career saw him place second in the Australian University Games 200m final and compete at Club Nationals. He later served as Head of Athletics at Barker College for 12 years. As MWAC’s Coaching Coordinator, Lee works hard each week, both coaching and officiating track and field events to support the club. |
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Jack McPhee
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Middle Distance Founder and Head Coach of Sydney Athletics Academy, Jack is a qualified triathlon, athletics and Austswim Coach. He is the running coach at Stella Maris, Pittwater House, NBCS and Bridgidine College, and has coached over 50 National level junior athletes. Personally, Jack qualified and raced for Australia in the 2018 triathlon world champs, and placed 2nd (18-24yrs) in the 2017 and 2019 Australian Ironman.
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Richard Sarkies
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Middle Distance Richard has been coaching for over 30 years, having worked with both adults and children including as the Roseville College Athletics Coach with fantastic results. Whilst he’s trained several state and national level athletes, Richard believes it’s important that all juniors, whatever their level, develop a love of exercise. Richard has a range of qualifications including a Bachelor of Human Movement, Level III Middle/Long Distance Track (Athletics Australia), Level II Strength & Conditioning (Australian Strength & Conditioning Association), Level II Sprints/Hurdles/Relays (Athletics Australia). Richard continues to compete in road, track, and cross country in events ranging from 1500m to the marathon. He completed the 2019 Sydney Marathon as part of a fundraising campaign for The Indigenous Marathon Foundation, raising $10000. |
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Sam Vaid
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Sprints - Sports has always been part of Sam's life. From representing is state in cricket when he was 16 years old, to now working as a sprints coach and training as a sprinter himself. Sam is a qualified personal trainer and level 2 athletics coach, and has been coaching athletes for the past 5 years in 100m and 200m distances. He coaches sprinters who specialise in athletics, as well as running sprint sessions for a range of local football clubs. |
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Ruby Mahendran |
Hurdles - Ruby has been a keen athlete for many years and has experience both competing and coaching. As an athlete, Ruby has been a state finalist in hurdles, 100m, 200m, long jump and 4x100m relay at both school and club level over multiple years and has represented NSW as a junior. She has been coaching athletics, specifically hurdles, at Roseville College since 2022. Ruby enjoys coaching both junior school and high school athletes. |
Jumps
Ilse Way
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Long Jump Ilse has been involved with athletics since the age of 11. She is Athletics Australia certified as a Kids' Athletics Coach, Level 1 Youth Coach, Level 2 Development Coach, Level 3 Performance Coach and Specialised Jumps Coach. Ilse likes to bring fundamental movement skills to her sessions, as well as fun!
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Mitch Hatfield |
High Jump |
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James Tizzard |
Triple Jump, Long Jump |
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Geoff Davis |
Triple Jump
Geoff has coached both for Manly Warringah Littles Athletics in Jumps and throws, and at Narrabeen Sports High School and Barker College. He also holds private javelin sessions each week at Narrabeen. |
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Cameron Tizzard
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High Jump Cam has been at Little Athletics since U7s, over the years competing at local, state, and national levels. Cam is a state medallist in each jumping discipline, ad has been coaching at Wakehurst for the past 3 seasons.
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Michael Godden
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Long Jump CAS track and field(long jump, 4x100), Australian schools challenge(long jump), state long and triple jump, 400m representative, u8-u17 little athletics. |
Throws
Geoff Davis |
Javelin
Our Head Throws Coach, Geoff has coached both for Manly Warringah Littles Athletics in Jumps and throws, and at Narrabeen Sports High School and Barker College. He also holds private javelin sessions each week at Narrabeen. |
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Amy Polikowski
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Discus Throwing Achievements:
- Open Women’s Discus Nationals Estonia 2022
– 3rd Place - U23 Women’s Discus NSW 2023
– 2nd Place - Open Women’s Discus Australian Nationals 2023
– Top 10 Finish - Open Women’s Discus Australian Uni Nationals 2023 & 2024
– 3rd Place Coaching
Experience and Knowledge:
- Coach for Throws at Stella Maris College and Ravenswood Independent School.
- Currently receiving advanced coaching from one of Lithuania’s top coaches, gaining invaluable insights and techniques.
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Martin Benson |
Shot put and discus Age Manager at MWLAC since U8 Boys and current U20 Boys Age Manager. Accreditation(s):
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For the Little Little Athletes
Heidi Williams
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7s-8s General Coach Heidi (pictured left) coaches the 7s and 8s girls in a range of events on Wednesday nights at Narrabeen. Heidi competed at Little Athletics until U14, representing Manly at Zone and Regional each year that she competed, and is also a State level swimmer! Heidi has been an age manager at MWLAC for the past 5 years and is the current age manager for the 9s girls. Heidi's coaching sessions will help the girls learn proper technique to compete on Saturdays, but also be engaging and fun! |
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Glenn Stephenson
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7s-8s General Coach Glenn is the Age Manager for the 7 Boys on a Saturday and also coaches the 7s and 8s Boys on a Monday and Wednesday evening. Glenn has been involved in Athletics from an early age and was a member of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Athletics squad during his competitive days. Glenn has a background in education and has co-ordinated various Athletics programs across multiple schools, while also actively coaching countless Junior and Senior students in different disciplines. Glenn has a passion for the sport of Athletics and enjoys seeing children aim for their personal best each week, regardless of the event. |
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Partners
