For Lio Ferrante, coaching is more than a profession—it is a lifelong calling driven by passion, resilience, and a commitment to athlete development. His journey through athletics, spanning continents and careers, is a testament to the transformative power of sport and the profound influence of a dedicated mentor. From humble beginnings as a young athlete navigating schools in Australia and Italy to becoming one of the most respected Track and Field coaches in South Australia, Lio's story is one of adaptability, expertise, and a relentless pursuit of growth.

A Journey Rooted in Movement and Mentorship

Lio Ferrante’s fascination with athletics began early in life, shaped by the rhythms of running, jumping, and competition. Born in Adelaide, but growing up across Australia and Italy, he experienced the best and worst of both systems, often relying on his own ingenuity to stay involved in the sport he loved.

"I was pretty good in my own right, you know, from a young age... but back in the ‘80s, there weren't a lot of coaches around looking for athletes. Or maybe there were, but I never got around to them until I was 16 or 17," Lio reflects. In the absence of formal coaching, Lio became a "natural coach" to himself, using magazines, leaflets, and printed articles to understand and refine his technique. No internet and search engines back then!

His youth was marked by frequent relocations between Australia and Italy, which influenced his development as both an athlete and a person. "I went to school in Australia and over in Italy. I’ve worked in both places, competed in both places, and I loved athletics—the running, the jumping, and the whole thing," he recalls.

As an athlete or coach, Leo represented 4 clubs down under (from age 10 at Munno Para L.A. then Adelaide Uni, Southerns AC and finally Saints AC) as well as 4 clubs in Italy (Treviso-Venice, Florence) including the Army talent squad for U23. By the age of 30, he decided to pursue formal coaching qualifications, obtaining his Level 1 certificate near Venice before returning to Australia. However, his coaching journey really took took off when he connected with Warren Fuss, a senior coach who became his first true mentor. "He gave me some freedom and liberty straight away, handing me a group to handle myself," Lio says, describing the early days of his coaching career.

Now with a squad of his own, and the responsibility of guiding a group of eager young athletes, mentorship played a significant role in shaping his approach. "Barb Stevens became my mentor when I got my Level 2 and Level 3 certifications. Even after she retired to New Zealand, we stayed in touch. I still send her footage to get a different perspective and a watchful eye," he explains. “I also recently met Sharon Hannan through the Masterclass for coaches programmes and she share words of advice when we meet at National comps, which I much appreciate.”

This commitment to collaboration and seeking feedback from peers has been a hallmark of Lio’s philosophy. Initially connecting with young coaching talent Jacinta Fisher (now in Brisbane) and now with Cristian Izzini, both incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgeable in their own fields. In the space of 4 years, Lio have built a squad of almost 40 young athletes, split into 3 age-group training squads, informally known as L’OTS – L’Ondata Track Squad (Ondata meaning waves or swell, since improvement in juniors comes in surges on wave at a time on a continuous basis).

Adapting Across Borders

A recurring theme of Lio’s coaching journey is the importance of adaptability. Whether running alongside elite athletes in Italy or nurturing local talent in small Australian towns, he has embraced the challenges of each environment with curiosity and commitment. His time in Italy provided him with invaluable insight into the European approach to athlete development—an experience that broadened his perspective on the limitations and strengths of the Australian system.

"I ran for a club in Florence and spent a year in the Tuscan region, training at one of the sports institutes for under-23 athletes," Lio recalls. These institutes function as regional hubs where athletes train, live, and compete under the guidance of specialist coaches, with access to cutting-edge sports science and facilities. This period exposed Lio to a culture where sport is tightly interwoven with national identity and community pride.

However, Lio was quick to point out that while the Italian system excels at fostering high-performance athletes through its infrastructure, it also benefits from unique socio-economic structures. He explains: "In Japan and Italy, it’s common to see athletes essentially employed by institutions—whether it’s the police force, the army, or large corporations like Toyota or Mitsubishi. You're not just an athlete; you’re on their payroll, so your job is to train and compete."

This "professional-athlete-as-employee" model provides financial stability and allows athletes to focus entirely on their performance without the financial pressures often faced by their Australian counterparts. “Unfortunately, we don’t have that here…,” Lio noted, adding that the limited pathways for athletes in their early twenties can lead to a significant drop-off during the crucial transition from junior to senior levels. “We lose a few athletes along the way because there’s no safety net—it can take years to mature as an athlete, but if you’re not making the top times by 19 or 20, you can feel left behind.”

Lio also highlighted the strength of Europe’s under-23 competition structure: “They’ve got standalone under-23 national and continental championships—it keeps athletes engaged through that tough age gap. Here, with fewer athletes and longer distances to travel, it’s harder to sustain that kind of structure.”

His experience abroad made him a strong advocate for continuous professional development and peer collaboration. Lio carries this belief into his work today, frequently exchanging ideas with other coaches and welcoming insights from experts across disciplines. “In Australia, we punch above our weight in so many sports,” Lio acknowledges. “But if we shared knowledge more openly, we could build an even stronger athletics community. As a junior development coach, I really find the AA Masterclasses with high performance coaches useful in also building bridges to the best practice in the country”

This global perspective, sharpened by years of navigating both Italian and Australian systems, has been key to Lio’s success. It has allowed him to merge the best elements of both systems—Italy’s precision and structured athlete care with Australia’s resourcefulness and passion for sport.

Finding Purpose on Kangaroo Island

One of the most defining chapters in Lio Ferrante’s life so far was his time on Kangaroo Island, where he and his family lived for over a decade. Drawn by a career opportunity as an Italian-language tour guide, the picturesque island of less than 5,000 residents provided an incredible quality of life, but didn’t provide the kind of infrastructure many athletics coaches take for granted.

Isolated from the conveniences of urban sports facilities, Lio’s resourcefulness and determination as a coach were put to the test. The island had no formal athletics club or state-of-the-art training equipment—just wide-open spaces, a sandpit, and a patch of grass. But for Lio, that was enough.

"You make do," Lio recalls. "The school helped me out at times, and we got what we needed done.” His approach was centered on making the most of what was available, reinforcing his long-held belief that the basics, done right, can have a powerful impact. "Of course, the latest technology can give great feedback, but when you're working with young athletes, you don’t need all the bells and whistles. You need to teach them the essentials—and teach them well."

On Kangaroo Island, Lio cultivated a training culture that focused on fundamentals, instilling discipline while fostering joy and excitement for the sport. He created inventive training sessions that incorporated the natural environment: sprints on open fields, bounding drills on soft grass, and jumping exercises using improvised equipment. This simplicity didn’t just build physical endurance—it also strengthened the athletes’ mental resilience.

Despite the remote location, Lio still remained connected to the broader athletics community in South Australia. “Every two or three weeks, we’d be in Adelaide to visit friends and compete at a local club because there was no athletics club on the island,” he explains. Each ferry trip across the infamous Backstairs Passage—known for its rough waters—was a reminder of the effort and sacrifice required to keep his athletes engaged with the sport at a competitive level.

Lio’s passion for athletics extended beyond coaching the island’s youth. He ensured his son, Ken, grew up surrounded by the sport, often joining in on training sessions even as a toddler. “Ken grew up running mini hurdles, jumping, and just soaking in the whole atmosphere," Lio shares. “It was like kids who grow up in musical families—it just became second nature to him to play along.”

This holistic approach paid off. Despite the limited facilities, several young athletes with connections to Lio from Kangaroo Island have gone on to compete in Adelaide at major school carnivals and events. Lio’s ability to inspire belief and cultivate talent in such an isolated environment demonstrated not only his coaching expertise but also his ability to nurture a lasting love for athletics in his athletes.

Reflecting on his time there, Lio notes how the experience reinforced the importance of adaptability and simplicity. “You don’t need a fancy setup to build something meaningful. What you need is a connection with the athletes, a plan that prioritises progress over perfection, and a willingness to keep showing up—even when the conditions aren’t ideal.”

Returning to Adelaide: A Renewed Focus on Coaching

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, it brought an unexpected turning point in Lio’s life. International tourism to Kangaroo Island ceased, and with it, Lio’s job as a bilingual tour guide. Forced to reassess his future, Lio and his family made the difficult decision to leave the island and return to Adelaide.

"We lost our jobs and had nothing left to do there," Lio explains. But the move also presented an opportunity—one that allowed him to dedicate himself more fully to coaching and supporting his son Ken’s growing athletics progress, along with mum Hiromi, who incidentally was the high school hurdler in the family back in Japan.

Once settled in Adelaide, Lio reconnected with the local athletics community. His return was met with open arms by old contacts, eager to involve him in school coaching programs. "The moment I showed up at the seniors' club, people came up saying, 'You're back! You're back!' It felt good to be welcomed like that," he shares. Local champions of the sport Tony K, Hans VB and Tony C extended opportunities for involvement including school based coaching.

Rather than immediately taking on another full-time job, Lio chose to focus on his passion for coaching. “We decided to live more simply and downsize, and I wanted to see how far I could go by focusing on building a strong squad,” he explains. He began working with schools like St. Peter’s College, Immanuel College and Henley High, assisting their athletics programs in a role that combined both his sporting and logistical expertise.

A Father-Coach Dynamic

A key focus during this time was Ken’s development as a hurdler and multi-event athlete. Lio was deeply aware of the challenges that come with being both a father and a coach. "It’s that parent-coach syndrome—you don’t want to be too critical because they’ve already grown up with you pointing out things all their life,” Lio admits. To maintain balance, he sought collaborative relationships with other coaches, such as sprint coach Andrew Beck and throws coach Mark Secomb, as well as pole vault coach Kym Simons.

"I handed Ken over to Andrew for sprints and blocks work because sometimes it helps to have another voice," Lio says. This collaboration paid off, with Ken setting national records in hurdles and excelling in other disciplines, including javelin and pole vault. “He doesn’t just do hurdles—we’ve kept his training multi-event focused. It’s given him that all-around athleticism.”

Lio’s holistic approach has always been grounded in the belief that young athletes should explore multiple events rather than specialise too early. "I encourage my athletes to play other sports as well. Even if they don’t stick with athletics, I want them to love movement and find what drives them,” he explains.

A Relentless Commitment to Improvement

Despite Ken’s achievements, Lio remained grounded and analytical, focusing on continual improvement rather than getting carried away by results. “Ken is self-motivated—he’ll come back with insights after watching his own footage. But I keep things simple: we focus on drills that reinforce speed, power, and efficiency,” Lio says.

One of Ken’s standout performances was his record-breaking 100m hurdles run, where his technique caught the attention of spectators and commentators alike. "We focus on being quick on the way down—that’s where the energy is expressed. It’s about hammering the thigh down, not focusing too much on the foot." The new National Record was the culmination of months of disciplined work, refining everything from his block starts to his hurdle clearance.

But Lio’s vision extended beyond individual success. "It’s not just about winning medals—it’s about developing character and resilience. Ken’s learned to deal with setbacks, like clipping hurdles or finishing behind a competitor. Or even dealing with niggles and growing pains, that’s when the physios effectively become part of the team with Tom L in Adelaide (and Natalie at Nationals) doing wonders, we now do rehab and ongoing prehab on a regular basis to avoid future injuries. These experiences shape who he is as a person, not just an athlete,” he reflects. Lio mentioned that Ken was disappointed after losing the 200m hurdles by just 0.02 seconds to another talented young hurdler, Cameron Badger, but he used the setback as fuel for his next performance. Lio explained:

"Ken’s super competitive—he was obviously disappointed to lose by two-hundredths of a second. But instead of letting it get to him, he focused even more. We told him, 'You’ve got two chances at this—don’t worry if the first one doesn’t go your way.' The next day, he went out as hard as he could."

Future Direction

Lio remains focused on creating an environment where athletes can thrive and feels optimistic about the years ahead.

"For now, it’s about keeping things moving forward—helping Ken and the squad make the most of the opportunities available and staying competitive at a state and national level," Lio shared. He also mentioned the possibility of traveling internationally to give Ken broader exposure: "We travel to visit family anyway, so why not line it up with some overseas competitions to get a feel for what it’s like on the international stage?"

On a personal level, Lio expressed his commitment to fostering collaboration within the athletics community. "I love working with other coaches and exchanging ideas—that’s where the sport grows. We all benefit when we share knowledge and challenge each other."

While Lio remains focused on his athletes’ immediate goals, his long-term vision is to continue shaping the sport at a foundational level. "At the end of the day, I want to help build a system that keeps athletes engaged and supported through every stage of their development," he explained. "It’s not just about medals—it’s about the journey they take and the people they become."

A Local Legacy but a Global Perspective

What truly defines Lio is his commitment to the holistic growth of his athletes. His focus has always extended beyond winning medals—it’s about developing resilient, well-rounded individuals. His athletes, like his son Ken, don’t just learn how to run, jump, or hurdle; they learn self-discipline, respect, and the importance of hard work.

"It’s not about making them the best at 12 or 14—it’s about seeing who they become at 20, 25, and beyond," Lio explains. "I want them to be independent thinkers, confident in their strengths and aware of their weaknesses."

Lio’s coaching legacy is already apparent in the athletes who have risen through his programs—some who stayed in athletics and others who have excelled in different sports, applying the lessons they learned under his mentorship. His collaborative approach with other coaches and openness to innovation have also strengthened the local athletics community.

As his influence grows, Lio remains humble about his contributions, seeing himself as part of a broader collective effort. "Coaching isn’t about creating stars in isolation—it’s about building an environment where young people can thrive, no matter where they go."

From his global experiences to his deep local roots, Lio Ferrante has proven that while coaching may be local in practice, its impact can be universal. By blending technical excellence with life lessons, he continues to shape not just athletes but future leaders—one stride, jump, and hurdle at a time.