Esa Peltola
Australian Athletics · High Performance Coach Mentor
High Performance Coach and Coach Educator – Kiama Downs, New South Wales
"A lifelong passion for coach education."
1. Why You Want to Be Involved in the Mentoring Program
I have coached for over 60 years, starting as a very young coach, and I have a lifelong passion for coach education. The mentoring program allows me to stay up to date with the latest trends in high performance sport and athlete development while connecting with other mentors and mentees.
2. What You Can Offer the Mentees
- Holistic preparation framework
- Innovative solutions in high performance coaching
- Integration of applied sport science and medicine
- Support in challenging coaching situations
- Expertise in talent identification and development
3. What You Would Like to Gain from Participating in the Program
I want to see mentees succeed in their coaching careers and embark on a lifelong learning journey. The program allows me to stay tuned with current trends in athlete preparation.
Short CV
- DOB: 4 December 1957
- Married
- Citizenship: Australian and Finnish
Qualifications
- Physiotherapy degree, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland
- Master’s degree in Sports Science and Coaching, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland
- European Master of Science degree in the Science of Sport Coaching, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland
- Highest level in Athletics Coach Education in both Finnish and Australian coach education systems
Major Working Experience
- 1983 to 1988: Head coach of sprints and hurdles, Finnish Athletics Federation
- 1984 to 1989: Lecturer in Coaching Science, University of Jyvaskyla
- 1989 to 1991: National athletics coach sprint and hurdles, Qatar
- 1991 to 1998: IAAF lecturer in high level coaching courses
- 1992 to 1995: Talent Identification consultant, Australian Institute of Sport
- 1995 to 2000: National athletics sport science and medicine coordinator, AIS and Athletics Australia (Sydney 2000 project)
- 1996 to 2004: High performance coach sprint and hurdles, Australian Institute of Sport
- 2000 to 2002: Senior athletics national coach, Australian Institute of Sport
- 2002 to 2004: Senior physiologist, Australian Institute of Sport
- 2004 to 2018: Head of Performance Enhancement and Talent Identification, Aspire Academy, Qatar
- 2018: Coach mentoring in Finland, high level coach education lectures and presentations
- 2022 to 2023: Coach Mentoring Program, Athletics Australia
- 2023 to 2024: Advisor in Sports Programs and Sport Science, MAHD Academy, Saudi Arabia
International Coaching and Team Experience
- Coached athletes at Olympic Games, World Championships, Commonwealth Games, European Championships, Asian Games, Asian Championships, World Military Championships and World Student Games
- Team coach in multiple Finnish teams, Qatari national teams, and support coach in Australian teams (Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004)
Athletes Coached
- Arto Bryggare, 110mH (Olympic bronze, World Championships silver, multiple European Championships medals)
- Mikael Ylostalo, 110mH
- Patrick Johnson, 100m and 200m (Australian record holder, 9.93)
- Kyle Vander Kuyp, 110mH (Australian record holder)
- Adam Basil, 100m
- Lauren Hewitt, 100m and 200m
- Neil Fuller, 200m and 400m (multiple Paralympic and World Championships gold medallist)
- Other athletes from Finnish, Qatari, Australian and Brunei national teams (100m to 400m, hurdles and 400m hurdles)
Experience in Other Sports
I have experience working with many sports through my sport science and talent identification work at the Australian Institute of Sport, Aspire Academy in Qatar and MAHD Academy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Publications and Presentations
- Over 100 coaching and sport science related publications, including a book on speed and speed endurance training and other book chapters
- Numerous presentations at international conferences and seminars
