Andrew Dawes

1 Jan

Written By Australian Athletics

Mentor Profile: Andrew Dawes

Australian Athletics · High Performance Coach Mentor

Para Athletics and Strength and Conditioning Coach, Newcastle, New South Wales

"If you can master coaching a Para Athlete, you can coach almost anyone."

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

When I look back on my coaching journey and time in athletics, it has provided me with so many amazing experiences and memories. During this period, I have been guided and assisted by many mentors, both formal through similar programs or simply organic by nature. I have an interest in all types of athletic achievement and a curious mind to understand how athletes can achieve what most think is not possible. If I can assist other coaches develop in some small way by being involved in this mentoring program, that would be great, while I will also add to my continuing education and life experiences in athletics through this program.

2. What You Can Offer the Mentees

I have had 25 plus years of high performance coaching experience, primarily in the Para Athletics space. Each athlete is an individual and needs to be catered accordingly. Whether Para or able bodied, you need to assess the physical requirements of the event and determine the best method to master these with the physical attributes of your athlete.

My journey started in strength and conditioning. In the mid 1990s, as a Level 2 coach, I was approached by Louise Sauvage to assist her in this area. This relationship grew to where she entrusted me with coaching her in entirety, with the challenge to transition from repeated successes on the track to moving to the marathon distance. This enhanced my knowledge of energy systems and balancing training methodology for middle and long distance events. I experienced great success with Louise, and later Kurt Fearnley, and feel I have strong knowledge in this area.

Later in my coaching career I challenged myself by taking on sprinters, experiencing success in speed and power, including coaching Rheed McCracken to several Paralympic and World Championship medals.

Sound knowledge and experience across multiple event areas and energy system requirements
Extensive knowledge and experience in strength and conditioning programs
Assistance with problem solving and analytical breakdown of gaps to achievement
Principles of training and program methodology, including periodisation
Leadership advice
Calm and considered approach to all aspects of coaching
Coach lifestyle balance and wellbeing

Coaching Experience

25 years plus high performance coaching experience
Coached athletes to multiple gold medals at Paralympic Games, World Championships and Commonwealth Games
Attended 7 Paralympic Games, 2 Olympic Games, 4 Commonwealth Games, 12 WPA World Championships and 3 WA World Championships as a team coach
Managed the National Wheelchair Track and Road Program at NSWIS (1997 to 2024)
Currently Para Performance Coaching Manager with Australian Athletics

Qualifications