Athletics Coach of the Month: Kuldeep Singh
Celebrating a Champion of Community and Athletic Excellence
Athletics Australia is delighted to announce Kuldeep Singh as the Coach of the Month for October 2024, honouring his exceptional commitment to the athletics community. Based at Casey Fields Athletic Track in Cranbourne, Kuldeep has become a beacon of inspiration for young athletes and their families, embodying the spirit of inclusivity and excellence in sport.
Kuldeep’s Coaching Journey and Mission
Growing up in a small village in Punjab, India, Kuldeep has always been deeply connected to his roots and the community around him. His early experiences in athletics ignited a lifelong passion for coaching.
"Sports were a way of life," he recalls. "They fostered a sense of purpose and community."
Upon moving to Australia, he resolved to give back to the sport that shaped his life, particularly focusing on providing opportunities for children from migrant families who often encounter barriers to participation.
“Migrant families, in particular, often face challenges in integrating into sports programs, and I see it as my responsibility to bridge that gap. This has shaped my coaching philosophy, where my primary goal is to create an inclusive environment where every child, regardless of background or experience, can excel.”
Kuldeep’s coaching philosophy centres on inclusivity, mental resilience, and physical fitness. Over the years, he has coached more than 100 children on a volunteer basis, offering his services free of charge.
“He never differentiates between his own kids and other kids,” one parent shared. “He skips work to be on time to coach, putting in immense effort to help his students shine.”
““My coach has a great sense of humour, enlightening, inspiring and positive nature. I am very happy to have Kuldeep Singh as my coach””
Driving Kuldeep’s energy for coaching is the joy he gets from guiding and supporting young athletes on their journeys, which he views as a rewarding blend of teaching, assisting, and mentoring. Over the years, he has successfully coached athletes of all ages - from 5 to 65, witnessing many of them achieve great results and personal improvement.
“I can proudly say that most of the kids I’ve coached have succeeded in achieving personal bests during competitions. When I see one of my kids performing well or even winning a medal, the joy it brings is priceless and unexplainable...it makes me feel proud and brings a profound sense of achievement.”
Parents echo this sentiment, praising Kuldeep’s passion, dedication, and exceptional knowledge of track and field. One parent remarked, “My daughter enjoys all training sessions and always looks forward to them; since she joined training under his coaching, her athletic skills have improved significantly, and her confidence has soared.”
Approach to Athletics Training
Kuldeep has a comprehensive approach to training that focuses on 11 development pillars. He believes that addressing and developing all pillars correctly will help athletes succeed in track and field.
Effective Warm-Up
Nutrition
Event Technique
Aerobic Endurance
Mobility and Flexibility
Starts and Finishes
Explosiveness and Speed
Focus and Concentration
Teamwork
Motivation
Goal Setting
However, Kuldeep's training goes beyond traditional methods. He often incorporates unique environments, such as rock climbing and mountain hiking, to develop broader physical literacy and enhance the athletes’ experience. His innovative coaching across various disciplines—including sprinting, long jump, triple jump, shot put, discus, and middle-distance running—has led to remarkable achievements for his athletes.
Athletes and parents alike praise Kuldeep’s dedication and professionalism. One parent noted, “As my son is getting training from him, I’ve seen very good results. He is a humble and hard-working person.” Another athlete stated, “Kuldeep is an exceptional coach who consistently goes above and beyond. His dedication to athlete development, both on and off the track, is unparalleled. He inspires all young athletes to reach their full potential.”
“Kuldeep is an exceptional coach who consistently goes above and beyond. His dedication to athlete development, both on and off the field, is unparalleled. He inspires all young athletes to reach their full potential while fostering a positive and inclusive team environment. His innovative training methods and unwavering support have led to remarkable achievements. ”
Wider Community Impact
While Kuldeep’s achievments as a personal coach have been notable, it is his broader role in developing athletics across south east Melbourne that promises to leave a generational impact. Over the last four years, he has been instrumental in organising the Multicultural Athletic Meet at Casey Fields. This event has welcomed approximately 1,200 participants, fostering community spirit, and inclusivity.
“Members from local council were invited to share their experience at the event and cheer on the athletes,” Kuldeep recalls. “We were supported by multiple sponsors to make the events successful and every year we worked on the feedback provided by athletes and parents have we worked on the feedback to ensure we deliver what we promised.”
A Collaborative Approach to Coaching
Kuldeep's dedication extends to collaborating with other coaches and parents, creating a supportive network that benefits the entire community. He is grateful for the assistance from local clubs and volunteers, which allows him to provide a rich and diverse training experience.
“I strongly believe that working in a team can take you to the pinnacle. We share the load and delegate responsibilities based on individual expertise. I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Cranbourne Little Athletics, President of Casey Masters Mr Pramesh, and Casey Cardinia Athletics Club coach Mark Jouvelet, whose unconditional support and guidance have assisted us significantly.”
“I also want to mention some parent helpers like Subeg Singh, Jastinder Sran, Pardeep Singh, Sukhdeep Singh Mitha, and Diamond Sports Club Melbourne President Mani Salempura.”
Future Plans
Looking ahead, Kuldeep is committed to continuous learning and adapting his coaching methods to meet the evolving needs of his athletes. He aims to incorporate new technologies, including artificial intelligence, to further enhance training techniques and promote the importance of sports in personal development. “Coaching, learning, and training are never ending process. I will uninterruptedly keep on working on challenges kids are facing and endeavour to work on techniques that can enhance the performance of athletes.”
For those interested in joining Kuldeep’s training sessions, he welcomes new athletes at Casey Fields and other venues in the Cranbourne area. Prospective athletes can reach out via phone, email, or social media.
Kuldeep Singh’s unwavering dedication to coaching and community engagement makes him a deserving recipient of the Athletics Australia Coach of the Month award. His journey is a testament to the profound impact a coach can have on the lives of young athletes and the broader community, inspiring them to achieve greatness both on and off the field.
