Coaches Corner - Matthew Hall
For Matthew Hall, coaching isn’t just about results — it’s about connection, growth, and giving back to the sport that shaped him. Matthew has built a squad grounded in inclusion, care, and community. Whether he’s mentoring young coaches or guiding a decathlete to the podium, Matthew’s focus remains the same: helping every athlete thrive, on and off the track.
What drew you to get involved in coaching?
My journey started as a Little Athlete at Diamond Valley. Like many coaches, my motivation to coach stemmed from a desire to give back to the athletics community and support the next generation of athletes. I had two very inspirational role models; my father, Lew Hall, was a successful club administrator, official, and a selfless contributor to junior sport. The other was my coach, Tom Hancock, a very successful and passionate athletics coach. By coaching Athletics, I am part of a sport that helps kids develop their physical literacy and teaches them social skills, teamwork, mental resilience, goal setting, self-leadership, life balance, and much more. Furthermore, it’s personally motivating to contribute to my community through coaching a sport that has a framework to accommodate athletes of all abilities.
How has working in the juniors and development space shaped your coaching approach?
As my squad grew from one athlete to now having multiple athletes performing at a high level. I have needed to become more efficient and organised with my time and scheduling of sessions to ensure I can meet the individual needs of each athlete. I have also had to be flexible with my communication and ensure I am continually developing by reflecting and learning as a coach.
What qualities do you try to instill in new coaches working with kids?
I would encourage new and developing coaches to:
- Be a positive role model by setting an example and making sessions safe, fun and engaging,
- Be inclusive by including activities that can be modified to accommodate athletes with diverse and individual needs.
- Be prepared with program and session plans.
- Be adaptable to changes in weather, participant numbers, different equipment etc.
- Communicate effectively: E.g., providing clear instructions, asking the kids to reflect on what they enjoyed, what was challenging, etc.
- Self-care: Focus on your physical and mental well-being and don’t be hard on yourself while you develop your coaching proficiency. Reach out when you need support.
How do you keep athletics fun and engaging for children while still building foundational skills?
Team games are a practical way to engage kids while developing their physical literacy, strategic thinking, communication skills and situational awareness. One fun game I have found effective for a group of 10-20 kids is ‘volcanoes and ice-creams’. Two teams are created with equal numbers. One tea is named ‘Team Volcano’, the other is ‘Team Ice-cream’. Plastic cones are placed in a defined area. Half of the cones are placed down which are the ‘volcanoes and the other half are placed upside down which are the ‘ice-creams’. Each team then attempts to turn each other's cones upside down, and when the whistle blows to stop, a count is made and the team with the most volcanoes or ice-creams wins. The game can be repeated quickly, so there are many chances for each team to win. Then have teams applaud each other at the end.
What’s one lesson from coaching beginners that still applies to elite athletes?
For athletes to embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and to view them as an essential part of the success journey.
What does a ‘person-first’ approach mean to you, and how do you build those relationships with athletes?
I believe that you coach the person, not the athlete. I have discovered that coaching is essentially about ‘connecting’ through building and maintaining strong relationships with athletes and getting to know them as individuals. E.g., chatting with them before training about the weekend or how their schoolwork is going, celebrating personal bests and special moments in athletics or other parts of their life, or being there for them when they need an ear. This approach has enabled me to build open communication channels with athletes, which in turn supports their wellbeing, goals and development.
How do you tailor your coaching for different individual and event needs?
I have a diverse range of athletes in my squad, including para-athletes. I assess each athlete's strengths and weaknesses to identify opportunities to improve or make changes to their training plan. I strive to cater to preferred learning styles to enhance sessions and programs. Moreover, I work with athletes to build personalised training plans that support their short and long-term goals.
What were some of the unique challenges – and rewards – of supporting your para-athlete at Nationals this year?
A unique challenge was the requirement to complete several forms and submit them before the competition commenced to ensure my vision-impaired athlete (F12 and T12 classification) had the necessary assistance for his events, which were in the Open Para (ambulant) Men’s category. This was the first occasion I have taken an Open para-athlete to the nationals, so it was a somewhat new experience for me.
The rewards included: supporting an athlete who was very excited to gain PBs at his first nationals, experiencing firsthand the camaraderie and respect shown between the para-athletes, and experiencing the crowd in Perth cheering for athletes of all abilities.
What has stood out in Asher’s journey from a 12-year-old beginner to one of Australia’s top U19 decathletes?
It would have to be two fold, Asher's development as an individual and how much I have needed to improve as a coach during Asher's journey. Over the years I have watched Asher grow into a suitable role model for any young athlete - he is a focused, passionate, competitive, determined young man who never gives up! He maintains a positive attitude, shows respect to fellow competitors and officials and has helped me become a better coach. I collaborate and work with other amazing coaches who also support Asher on his journey.
For those interested in training with you, how can they get in touch?
Matthew Hall - AA Level 3 Performance Coach - Throws
T +61 423323929
Services: Individual or group sessions, schools, throwing events, and coach mentoring. Contact Matt via email or telephone.