Brad Cunnington is a familiar face around Darwin and has firmly established himself as one of the leading community coaches in the Northern Territory. Brad volunteers at Darwin Athletics Club and is currently working with over 30 athletes, predominantly aged between 12 and 18 years old.

Brad’s primary focus is on getting as many people involved in the sport as possible, with the ultimate goal of seeing athletics become the preferred sporting choice for high school athletes.

Brad was nominated for October’s Coach of the Month by a member of his club.

“Over the last several years Brad has emerged as a leader at Darwin Athletics Club. He is committed to providing appropriate programs for all ages of athletes.”

We were lucky enough to speak with Brad to learn more about how he got into coaching and what makes it such a fulfilling experience.

First Introduction to Athletics

Brad’s connection to athletics began early in life as a junior and open athlete, continuing until the age of 19. After a hiatus, his involvement in the sport reignited five years ago when his children started athletics at a junior level.

Inspiration to Coach

Initially, Brad’s inspiration for coaching stemmed from supporting his kids and fostering their love for the sport. This quickly grew into a genuine passion for getting as many people involved in the sport.

Additionally, Brad was inspired by seeing the genuine enjoyment and enthusiasm that other volunteers derived from coaching.

Proudest Moment

When asked about his proudest achievement, Brad explained that it is challenging to narrow this down to a single moment. He takes great pride in seeing the collective success of the club and individual athlete achievements, such as personal bests and medalling at national events. In addition, he takes great joy in watching athletes, especially those who are new to the sport, improve over the course of a season:

“We get a lot of athletes aged 12-14 that are new to the sport, and the progression that we see over the season is really rewarding.”

Brad’s motivation to continue coaching is fuelled by the joy of seeing athletes grow and revel in their athletics achievements.

Coaching Goals

Broadly speaking, Brad’s primary objective is to promote and retain athletes within the sport of athletics. He draws from his own experience and recognises that when athletes transition to high school, they often opt for team-oriented sports (such as AFL, soccer, and netball), over athletics. His vision is to retain athletes as they move through their teenage years, and see athletics become a more prevalent and preferred sporting option for high school kids.

In terms of his coaching philosophy, Brad’s overarching goal is to prioritise athlete enjoyment. He strives to find the balance between fitness and social interaction, ensuring he caters to the unique needs and aspirations of each athlete. Brad also endeavours to build a strong club culture as he and enjoys the sense of camaraderie and unity that emerges when the club comes together at events.

Coach Development

Brad credits much of his development as a coach to the support he gained from senior coaches in the Northern Territory, including Jess Brewster, Cameron Burrows, and Roger Chin.

“Jess taught me about developing athletes from holistic point of view. She focuses on overall athlete and personal development, not just results, especially at the junior level. I learnt a lot from her.”

Brad also worked collaboratively with Cameron, sharing insights and guidance based on their respective event specialities: “I got a lot of guidance from Cameron, particularly in throws coaching, and we would often collaborate based on our respective strengths.”

Lastly, Brad acknowledged the ongoing support he receives from Leanne at Athletics NT:

Advice for New Coaches

When asked about the advice he would offer to developing coaches, Brad shared the following insights:

“I learn the most from my athletes – they are a sounding board for what works and what doesn’t. I gain a huge amount of feedback from my group, and this is the best tool to continue my evolution as a coach. It is crucial that athletes feel confident and safe in order to give honest feedback, so it is important to build that relationship with your squad first.”

As October’s Coach of the Month, Brad will receive a Team Australia cap, one free year of membership, and be in the running for this season's Community Coach of the Year award to be announced on July 31, 2024.

The next Coach of the Month will be announced on November 26, 2023.