Dick Telford AM
Athletics Australia High Performance Coach Mentor
Endurance Coach – Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
"Blending sports science and coaching experience."
1. Why You Want to Be Involved in the Mentoring Program
I enjoy assisting developing coaches and sharing my knowledge and experiences accumulated over decades in sports science and coaching.
2. What You Can Offer the Mentees
I offer extensive experience and success in sports coaching across three sports, combined with 35 years of distance running coaching linked with cutting-edge sports science principles.
3. What You Would Like to Gain from Participating in the Program
I aim to gain the satisfaction of helping developing coaches grow and succeed, observing their progress over time.
Coaching and Sports Science Career
- Early career as a Physical Education and Mathematics teacher in schools
- Coaching Coordinator/Manager for the Victorian Cricket team, leading to two Sheffield Shield titles
- Inaugural Sports Scientist at the AIS in 1981, setting the philosophy of close collaboration with coaches
- Consultant physiologist for Olympic gold medal-winning swimmers
- AIS Distance Running Coach, training Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes
Athletic Coaching Successes
Key athletes coached:
- Lisa Martin (Ondieki) – Australia’s only Olympic marathon medallist
- Michael Shelley – Dual Commonwealth Games marathon gold medallist
- Rob de Castella – World Champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist (as physiologist and nutritionist)
- Olympic and World Championship representatives in the 1500m, 5k, 10k, and marathon
- Current athletes include Jye Edwards (1st place National 1500m) and Lisa Weightman (Olympic marathoner)
Academic and Research Contributions
- Professor in the Faculty of Health at the University of Canberra
- Published widely in science, medicine, and education journals
- Authored two books, including "Running: Through the Looking Glass"
- Research areas include metabolic physiology, nutrition, haematology, immunology, cardiology, and physical activity in schools
Professional Recognition
- Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and Sports Medicine Australia
- Order of Australia recipient (1992)
- Athletics Australia Coach of the Year (2014)
- Inducted into the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame for contributions to sports science and coaching
- Life Member of Athletics Australia
Athletic Career Highlights
- District cricketer (University and Fitzroy) and Australian Rules footballer
- JJ Liston Trophy winner for best player in the VFA (now VFL)
- Coach of the Preston Football Club and Preston Cricket Club, achieving premierships
- Masters athletics competitor in marathons and middle-distance events
- National 800m Masters champion and World Championships bronze medallist in the 1500m