Cliff Mallett

Athletics Australia High Performance Coach Mentor

High Performance Team Coach – Brisbane, Queensland

"Guiding the next generation of coaches to foster performance and personal growth."

1. Why You Want to Be Involved in the Mentoring Program

I have been mentoring high-performance coaches across various sports for over 30 years and have seen how transformative mentoring can be. I am eager to contribute to developing the next generation of athletics coaches, who play a pivotal role in shaping the athlete experience and sport’s potential for both performance and personal development.

2. What You Can Offer the Mentees

Mentoring involves a caring relationship that nurtures both professional competence and personal connection. I aim to serve as a trusted guide, supporter, and enabler for mentees, helping them foster reflective skills, build trusting relationships, and challenge beliefs and biases. My 30+ years of experience in coaching, mentorship, sport psychology, and research allow me to help mentees build autonomy, capability, and a sense of belonging.

3. What You Would Like to Gain from Participating in the Program

I believe that both mentor and mentee are learners on this journey. The intrinsic satisfaction of helping and learning is my reward. Assisting coaches in their development mirrors my experiences in guiding athletes to enhanced performance and well-being. Over their careers, coaches impact countless athletes, and I hope to contribute to this lasting legacy.

Coaching Qualifications

• Level 5 (IAAF/WA) Sprints and Relays Coach

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Education (Physical Education)
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Psychology
• PhD – Sport Psychology

Key Coaching Achievements

• Olympic Games (2004): Silver – Men’s 4x400m relay
• World Championships (1993): Silver – Damien Marsh, 200m (Indoors)
• World Championships (1995): Silver – Men’s 4x100m relay
• World Championships (2001): Bronze – Paul Di Bella, 4x100m relay
• World Juniors (1996): Bronze – Paul Di Bella, 4x100m relay

National Team Experience

• Olympic Games – 1996, 2004
• World Championships – 1995, 1997, 2003, 2005, 2007
• World Cup (Oceania) – 1994
• Commonwealth Games – 1994, 2006

Event Group Experience

• National Event Coach for Sprints & Relays (1994–2006)
• Coached six Olympians at three Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004)

Experience in Other Sports

• Consultant to AFL Clubs (Brisbane Lions 1999–2006, North Melbourne 2013–2018, Essendon 2021–present)
• Consultant to NQ Cowboys (2014–2019, Premiers 2015, Runners-up 2017, World Cup Challenge 2016)

Leadership Experience

• Professor of Sport Psychology and Coaching (University of Queensland) – 2011–present
• Developed and led online postgraduate programs in sport coaching (2001–present)
• World Athletics Global Athletics Coaches’ Academy – Board Member
• Chair of Research – International Council for Coaching Excellence (2010–2019)
• Delivered 25 keynote lectures in 15 countries on sport psychology and coaching

Mentoring Experience

• Mentored early and mid-career academics at UQ (2011–present)
• Supervised 40 PhD graduates and students (2008–present)
• Developed and implemented mentoring programs for coaches in rugby league, AFL, and other sports

Relevant Publications

• Mallett, C. J., & Lara-Bercial, S. (2023). Serial Winning Coaches: Caring Determination. Routledge.
• Gould, D., & Mallett, C. J. (Eds.) (2020). Sport Coaches’ Handbook. Human Kinetics.
• Rynne, S. B., Crudgington, B., & Mallett, C. J. (2019). The Coach as Mentor. Routledge.
• For the full list of publications, visit: Cliff Mallett Google Scholar Profile

Coaching and Other Employment History

• AIS/QAS Coach (1994–2000)
• Physical Education Teacher – Noosa District SHS (1983–1985)
• Head of Physical Education – St Peter’s Lutheran College (1986–1993)
• Teaching & Research Academic – University of Queensland (2000–present)

Mentor Profile: Cliff Mallett | Athletics Australia