The Pathway to the Top
Exploring the importance of personalised coaching, flexibility, and strong relationships in nurturing athletes’ long-term success, while addressing the evolving challenges and opportunities in modern coaching
In this High Performance Town Hall, Di Huxley shares her story and valuable lessons that any coach can relate to. She talks about her journey from being an athlete to becoming a teacher, and eventually stepping into coaching when she was asked to lead the track and field and cross-country programs at Mount Carmel College in Hobart. Like many of us, she quickly realised that being a good athlete and a skilled teacher didn’t automatically make her a great coach. That’s when she decided to dive into formal coaching education, starting with a Level 1 accreditation course under John Quinn, a mentor who played a key role in shaping her coaching career. Now, she’s passionate about creating similar opportunities for others, especially women in coaching.
The main element of this presentation is looking at Di’s research, which sheds light on what it takes to help athletes progress from juniors to elite seniors. She emphasises how crucial it is to truly know your athlete—not just their physical abilities but also their psychological and developmental needs. It’s about building trust, aligning your coaching goals with their readiness, and being flexible enough to adapt. She shares examples of how this approach can either nurture an athlete’s talent or, unfortunately, push them away. For example, one young athlete left the sport entirely after her coach refused to adjust their approach, only to return years later with renewed success. It’s a powerful reminder of the impact we have as coaches.
She also touches on the challenges we face, like balancing short-term performance pressures with long-term athlete development, managing parental expectations, and dealing with structural issues in athletics. Di acknowledges that while these barriers still exist, there’s been progress—more mentoring opportunities, better education programs, and initiatives like TTP camps and relay programs that support young athletes and their coaches.
One of the biggest takeaways is how the coach-athlete relationship has evolved. With athletes now having instant access to training programs and information online, they come to us with more knowledge (and sometimes opinions!). Di reminds us that our role is to guide them through this information, helping them turn it into actionable knowledge while respecting their input. Flexibility, open communication, and collaboration are more important than ever.
If there’s one piece of advice Di leaves us with, it’s this: match your coaching to where your athlete is, both physically and mentally. Push them when they’re ready, but never force it. Stay patient, work with their parents, and always keep their long-term growth in mind. As coaches, we’re not just here to deliver training programs—we’re here to mentor, guide, and help our athletes thrive. Di’s reflections are a great reminder that coaching isn’t just about the Xs and Os; it’s about understanding the person behind the athlete and meeting them where they are.
Self-Reflection Questions
In a world where athletes have greater access to information, how do I guide them to filter and apply it effectively using my experience as a coach and expert? Do I know what content/information my athletes are accessing and do they seek my opinion on things related to athletics?
How well do I foster trust and collaboration with my athletes and their families to create a supportive environment that nurtures long-term success? What practical steps can I take to ensure that I continue to do so?
Am I truly aligning my coaching approach with my athletes’ physical, mental, and developmental readiness, or am I pushing them too soon or holding them back unnecessarily?