Coaches Corner - Jo Lane
Where passion meets performance. In this series, we shine a spotlight on the incredible work of coaches across our athletics community. Celebrating the stories, successes, and impact they have on and off the track. From grassroots to greatness, these are the people shaping the future of our sport.
Our Coach today is Jo Lane.
Tell about your background-
I was a heptathlete, and of the seven events I really loved high jump in particular. I chose the heptathlon because I was pretty good at all events, not just one in particular, and found it hard to choose! I loved the camaraderie in the heptathlon and the friendships that formed that I still have to this day. Funnily enough some are now coaches or the parents of athletes, and we still see each other regularly.
Why do you coach?
To give back to a sport I love but also to give today’s young athletes the kind of coaching that wasn’t really available when I was competing, except at the top levels. I had very few coaches at times throughout my competitive years. I’d also like to develop a better platform at club level to help athletes map out a road to high performance so they can identify the tools they need and how to get things in place to attain that standard.
Coaching is also very much about development of the whole person, establishing good discipline and habits, plus improvement of a skill. Giving young people a positive, holistic environment to grow and learn in is really important, along with role models or peers that they can aspire to.
How’d you get into coaching?
When I was an athlete, opportunities came along to do my coaching levels and coach at clubs, schools and little athletics. I did this on and off for years until Covid-19 when everyone’s life changed, including my own, and there was the opportunity and time to develop squads. That initial fortnightly HJ/hurdle squad is now three hurdles groups and three high jump groups every week. I also coach at schools and clubs.
What do you love about coaching?
To still operate in a sport I love is very rewarding on a personal level. Seeing athletes improve, particularly those struggling with self belief and confidence, is really exciting. There are lessons they learn that are for life, not just the track, and if I can help facilitate any of that personal growth I am happy. I am particularly mindful of the encouragement many need that are not elite, and perhaps will never be elite. Seeing these athletes achieve a goal they or we’ve set is also very rewarding. Watching that excitement never grows old for me.
How do you define success?
Success is striving for and reaching a goal, whatever the level. It’s about the successful pursuit of excellence, be that a gold medal or as a participant. While not all will reach the elite level, the small milestones and steps each athlete takes in the pursuit of their own excellence can and should be celebrated.
How do you tailor training for different ages, events, and abilities?
In high jump I have squads for all levels - beginner, intermediate and advanced. This can mean there are a variety of ages in each group. In hurdles, I have a long hurdles group and then two sprint hurdle groups that are based on age and competition level - training is tailored accordingly. The younger ages are kept developmental and fun, learning through some foundational movement patterns as much as event specific work, plus some focus on strength development.
With older ages (and I have some master's athletes as well), it’s about getting them to learn the process better, refining movement patterns, loading them differently and learning race models or competition aspects they need to navigate, such as managing themselves better and coping with the stress of higher level competitions and stages. I strongly believe in athletes getting to think for themselves, understand their bodies and self manage as much as possible.
Has an athlete ever taught you something unexpected?
All the time! We are all learning, including the coach. Generally, my focus is on their improvement and performance of a skill, not a result. Of course medals and national or team selections are always welcome, but an athlete recently reminded me that while they hadn’t medaled, they’d got a PB we’d been working towards for a while and it was the race of their life where they ticked a number of boxes we'd also been working on. So, while a medal would have been the icing on the cake perhaps, they still had got their cake and were rapt.
Where can we find more about you?
In season, my squads are usually Monday, Wednesday and Thursday but can vary in the off-season. They are open to all athletes regardless of club. We train at Toowong Athletics Club and the University of Queensland. Updates are posted on the following social media pages and I can be contacted through them also.
Instagram: @westernsuburbsaths
Facebook: Western Suburbs Athletics Coaching