Lynda
– Your personal track and field experience: years competing, number of years at Ryde, personal.
I joined Ryde Women’s Amateur Athletics Club when I was 9 years old (in the Juvenile Division) and competed at Rotary Athletics field every Saturday afternoon in the Seniors Club. I hung around into the Sub-Junior Division until I was in high school. The club became Ryde Amateur Athletics Club and boys and men were admitted to the club. You might find my name on a few of those older trophies (Lynda Mitchell).
After I had my two boys, I re-joined Ryde Athletics Centre, to try and improve my High Jump and Sprinting but, since I was lugging babies around all the time, I improved my shot put and discus instead. Then a final foray into competing with Ryde Athletics once my oldest boy joined Ryde Little Athletics when he turned 12. Now I only run socially.
The highlights over the years were making State Athletics for High Jump and Hurdles in my younger years and, more recently, running a full Marathon at the Blackmores Running Festival in 2019.
– Coaching experience (number of years, events etc) – what interests you about coaching
When my oldest son began Little Athletics in 2008, I spent my Saturdays helping at high jump and also helping athletes with their high jump technique. This led to doing my High Jump Official qualification Levels C and B (now Levels 2 Jumps) and having the pleasure of officiating at Zone, Region and State. In 2022, I was fortunate to officiate at my first Nationals.
In 2012 I did the Introduction to Coaching Course and supplemented my own competition experience with how to coach young athletes. In 2014, I completed my Level 1 coaching course and started formal coaching in High Jump for Ryde Athletics and that season Ryde had a record number of High Jumpers make it through to State. In 2015 it was time to do my Level 2 Coaching course and I began coaching hurdles and relays, breaking down the techniques into easy steps for youth athletes. In 2018 I completed my Level 2 Advanced Jumps Coaching Course and began the Ryde Little Athletics Winter Squad to try out my new skills and knowledge. It was a very successful school season for these athletes.
I continue coaching high jump (flop and scissors) on Saturdays and mid-week, hurdles mid-week and relays when required. The Winter Squad has continued, even through lock-down.
The most interesting part of coaching is helping youth athletes achieve what they never thought they could, but also learning more about the technical aspects of my favourite events. And, as an aside, being an Official means I am there to provide a cheerful face to stressed athletes and have the privilege of seeing some of Australia’s young, up and coming future champions.
– day to day job / student year
By profession I was an Electrical Engineer and then Secondary Physics/Science/Maths teacher. Now I am an author and full time compulsive volunteer: little athletics coach and official, Scout Leader, St John Ambulance member and volunteer trainer, and church musician.
– Interest outside of athletics
Apart from my volunteering and writing, I am an active member at my local church. I also attend my own training four mornings a week, cycle regularly and do running events (virtually and in person). My newest guilty pleasure is online gaming playing Destiny 2 with my clan – The Older Guardians.
– Favourite food / quote / famous person and why.
Favourite food – Sushi with a diet Coke – yummy & lean
My favourite quote that has seen me through some dark times in my life – Romans 8:28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Famous Person – JK Rowling – she is such an inspiration. She wrote an amazing story and, despite being rejected so many times, was so successful.
Erica
Track and field experience
I grew up in South Africa and, as a keen sportswoman, I participated in some form of rep sport each and every day although track and field was a firm favourite. I represented my school and province (state) across sprints, long Jump and high Jump. I continued to compete in 100m and 200m whilst studying sports science at the University of Pretoria.
My track experience provided me with a great foundation for the many other sports I competed in; most notably representing South Africa in Touch football at the World Cup in Japan in 2003 winning a bronze medal.
Upon moving to Sydney, in 2005, I continued to play touch football, this time for NSW across multiple State of Origin campaigns. More recently I returned to another love of mine, and have been playing grade cricket for Gordon Women’s CC for the past 4 years.
Both my children are Ryde little athletes and we thoroughly enjoy the community spirit at Ryde. Together my husband, Russell, and I run a private sprint squad for keen sprinters and I just love seeing how athletes improve technically with the right coaching.
Coaching experience
My coaching experience spans half my life! Whilst completing my first degree in sports science I completed numerous coaching qualifications varying from track and field, strength and conditioning, cricket and touch football.
I have coached so many teams and athletes, too many to name here, but my greatest achievement was the South African junior touch football team taking out bronze at the Youth World Cup in 2005 and two Australian national fencers.
In 2020, I completed the Introduction to Coaching Track and Field through LANSW to refresh my skills and found a renewed love of coaching.
Day to day job
After having both my children I decided to go back to ‘school’ and pursue my dreams of becoming a sonographer. I now work as a general sonographer in a private medical radiology practice in Drummoyne.
Interest outside of athletics
Anything and everything sporty – I will watch it, try it, and then probably end up coaching it 😀
You will be sure that there is some sport on the TV in our house most weekends!
Favourite sports person and why?
Allyson Felix, the now retired American track and field star. Aside from being one of the most decorated athletes in history – a six time Olympic gold winner and 11 times World Champion, I am most impressed with her actions to advocate for pregnant women in sport. In 2018, as a contracted Nike athlete, she was only offered 30% of her original Nike contract when she became pregnant! Long story short she took on the big guns in court and eventually Nike changed its maternity policy – and now protect their contracts regardless!
Zara
– Your personal track and field experience: years competing, number of years at Ryde, personal.
I have been at the club since U6, and I have enjoyed every year. I have recently started running shorter distances (400m), and have always enjoyed competing for hurdles or jumps.
– Coaching experience (number of years, events etc) – what interests you about coaching
This is my first year coaching athletics, but I have helped to coach a younger soccer team.
I am really excited to be apart of the Ryde coaching team, and am really looking forward to being able to grow the skills of younger athletes, and to help them enjoy Little Athletics.
– day to day job / student year
I am a year 9 student at High School.
– Interest outside of athletics
Outside of athletics, I love to play soccer. I have been playing soccer since U6 and it’s a great way to keep fit in the winter season.
– Favourite food / quote / famous person and why.
My favourite food would probably have to be cheese :)) (I could eat a mountain of it).
I love watching athletics and have many athletes that I find amazing. An athlete that I find inspiring is Sydney McLaughlin (400m hurdles WR holder)
Elly
– Your personal track and field experience: years competing, number of years at Ryde, personal.
I’ve been at the club since the U8s and this will be my final year at Little Athletics.
I used to enjoy running middle distance when I was younger, but have recently been focussing on sprints.
– Coaching experience (number of years, events etc) – what interests you about coaching
I am relatively new to coaching, but enjoyed helping out last year as a coach for the training days.
I am really excited about teaching fundamentals to the younger athletes of our club as I thinks it’s important for them to develop their skills, but also to have fun.
– day to day job / student year
I am currently in year 11 at High School.
– Interest outside of athletics
I love taking photos, especially of athletics. You may have seen me with my camera on competition days, or seen some of my photos online.
– Favourite food / quote / famous person and why.
My favourite food is sushi, but I also love burritos, especially from Guzman y Gomez
Georgia
– Your personal track and field experience: years competing, number of years at Ryde, personal.
I have been running for what seems like forever. Other sports have come and gone but running has always had a special place in my life. I started Little Athletics at Ryde in the U6’s in 2012 when I was five years old. Throughout the years I have competed in weekly events at Dunbar Park, Zone Championships, Region Championships and State Championships. My main events at these competitions are 800m, 1500m, and 3000m however when I race outside of Little Athletics (“seniors events”) I tend run 3000m, 2000m steeple chase and 4km cross country. If you cannot already tell, I am a middle to long distance runner. I recently travelled to Adelaide and competed in the Australian Cross Country Championships, and have also competed at two Australian Athletics Championships which were both in Sydney.
– Coaching experience (number of years, events etc) – what interests you about coaching
I love the thrill of running and the adrenaline rush that I get from racing, however I also enjoy helping others to reach their goals and their potential. When it comes to coaching, I have not had much experience (unless you count the coaching unit I completed in PASS at school) but I think that my skills and knowledge of being a runner will help me with helping others.
– day to day job / student year
Year 10, 2022 (year 12, 2024)
– Interest outside of athletics
Outside of running I have enjoyed other sports, including artistic gymnastics and road cycling; however, I do have a life outside of sport. I mostly enjoy just hanging with friends. When this is not available to me, I enjoy cooking, sewing, painting and other crafty activities that I can do on my own or with others.
Dale
– Your personal track and field experience: years competing, number of years at Ryde, personal.
My main sporting background is Australian rules football (AFL). I only had small involvement in athletics when young. My main form of exercise now is stationary bike riding and some gym work.
– Coaching experience (number of years, events etc) – what interests you about coaching
I have coached athletics at Ryde for around five-years and have coached most areas of track and field. One area of particular interest to me is developing athletes’ movement skills (how to move effectively or efficiently). This is a key ingredient for enjoyment and success in any sporting activity over the medium to long term, and indeed, is also key to maintaining involvement with a sporting activity.
– day to day job / student year
I work as an academic (lecturer) at the University of New South Wales in the area of taxation law.
– Favourite food / quote / famous person and why
Pasta is my comfort food but rice with the right topping is very close as well. I admire people who work hard and consistently at something to attain an outcome, and especially those who aim to get the best out of themselves. Even in my short time at Ryde, I have seen examples of this, and there are many examples from all areas of human activity.
Neil
– Your personal track and field experience: years competing, number of years at Ryde, personal.
I was in little athletics as a kid and love all kinds of sports. I still play volleyball regularly and follow basketball (NBA / NBL). I started at Ryde Athletics as an age manager for Under 6 Girls in 2015 and have been an age manager ever since (currently with U13 Girls)
– Coaching experience (number of years, events etc) – what interests you about coaching
I have attached My Level 1 Community Athletics Coaching Certification from March 18. What interests me in coaching is seeing Athletes who are willing to try new things and see progress over a period of time. I have been coaching Discuss/Shot Put since last year for the club.
– day to day job / student year
IT Networking
– Interest outside of athletics
Lots of sports – Volleyball, Basketball, Cycling, Swimming, Running
– Favourite food
Favourite Food – Dark Chocolate.
Simon
– Your personal track and field experience: years competing, number of years at Ryde, personal.
5 years competing, 21 years at Ryde, personal Masters Bronze Shotput, ANSW Relays Gold 4 x Masters Javelin
– Coaching experience (number of years, events etc) – what interests you about coaching
15 years, all Throws events
– day to day job / student year
IT at Westpac
– Interest outside of athletics
Hockey
Aiden
Ross Foster
Ross Forster has been involved with Ryde Athletics for over four decades. His passion for athletics is endless and he can still be found three afternoons a week training his squad down at Dunbar and sitting up in Bay 10 at most major athletics meets at SOPAC. Ross has been involved with the club since his son David joined in the early 1980’s. Ross has trained many members of our Senior division to state, national and international competition and can lay claim to, amongst other things, starting Georgia Winkcup on her path to competing in Steeplechase at both the World Championships and Olympic Games.
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