Coach of the Month- Mathew Woodhouse: Growing the Next Generation
"Coaching isn’t just about technical drills—it's about lighting a spark that keeps young athletes passionate, resilient, and coming back for more."
For Coach Mathew Woodhouse, it’s not the medals or the personal bests that matter most - it's the journey, the community, and the love of sport. From a decorated hurdler to an unexpected coaching force, Mathew has found himself at the heart of junior athletics, shaping the next generation one session at a time. Congratulations to Mat for April Coach of the Month!
How it Started
Mathew’s coaching journey didn’t start with grand ambitions, it began with a favour. Eighteen months ago, fellow North Rocks Carlingford Little Athletics member, Emily, asked Mat if he could help her son, Lewis, with some hurdling tips.
"I showed him the warm-up drills I use for my own Masters training, and we did a hurdles session together. He loved it, so I told him he could come back anytime," Mat recalls.
That one-off session sparked something much bigger. "Seeing the joy on Lewis's face after that first session reminded me why I love this sport," he reflects.
Fast forward, and Mathew now coaches over 30 athletes across Sydney’s Little Athletics clubs.
Rather than chasing athletes, Mathew’s program grew organically through involvement as a committee member with North Rocks Carlingford, word of mouth spread, grounded in quality coaching and authentic connection. Today, he offers sprints, hurdles, endurance, long jump, and triple jump sessions building well-rounded athletes from grassroots to national level.
As a former elite 400m hurdler under the legendary Lindsay Watson, Mathew brings deep technical knowledge to the table, but it’s his warmth, energy, and athlete-first philosophy that truly set him apart.
“Everything is about the athletes, their goals, their growth, and how they learn best,” he says. “And most importantly, keep it fun.”
Philosophy Built on Positivity
Despite coaching formally for a relatively short time, Mat has developed a clear and unwavering coaching philosophy. “Everything I do is athlete-centered,” he states. “I want my athletes to set goals, work hard, and grow – no matter their current level.”
Mathew’s coaching pillars are built around:
Athlete-Centered Coaching – Focusing on individual goals and adapting to athletes’ unique responses and learning styles.
Personal Growth – Helping athletes refine their technique and performances, no matter their starting point.
Goal Setting – Setting achievable targets, providing constructive feedback, and celebrating every milestone, big or small.
Positive Motivation – Encouraging athletes by focusing on strengths and effort rather than just results as well as maintaining a positive, supportive atmosphere.
Adaptability – Understanding that no two athletes are the same and adjusting coaching methods accordingly.
He balances ambition with care, recognising that for young athletes, overtraining is a real risk. "We want them healthy, happy, and hungry to keep improving."
Coaching by Example
Not one to coach from the sidelines, Mathew is right there in the trenches, demonstrating drills, warming up, running beside his athletes.
"For young kids, seeing is believing," Mat says. "When they see good movement modelled for them, it just clicks."
That hands-on style paid off spectacularly in 2023, when his athlete Hannah stunned the crowd at the Australian Junior Championships. Needing a big jump on her final attempt, she leapt to an 11.51m, a 33cm personal best, claiming the national U14 triple jump title and finishing just 9cm shy of the open qualifying standard. Hannah went on to defend her title in Perth a few weeks ago, adding another personal best to her name. Meanwhile, Lewis, the athlete who started it all placed 4th in the final of the under 18 110m hurdles, showing just how far Mathew’s influence has stretched.
"That jump gave me goosebumps," Mat beams. "Moments like that stay with you forever."
Overcoming Challenges
“I’m not a coach who stands on the sidelines. I love to get involved and interact with my athletes. I warm up with the kids, run with them and encourage them, demonstrate drills, give them tips, especially for the younger ones who need that visual learning experience.”
Juggling full-time work and a rapidly growing squad has its hurdles (pun intended).
One of the biggest challenges has been finding the time to take on more private sessions. Coaching young athletes and watching them grow, not just as competitors, but as individuals is something he truly loves. Balancing full-time work with coaching remains an ongoing challenge, but it’s something he is actively working to improve.
From Grassroots to Greatness
Mat’s coaching caters to athletes at all levels. With younger athletes, he focuses on fundamental techniques, ensuring a strong technical foundation while preventing overtraining. For older, high-performing athletes, including several national-level competitors, he intensifies the training to prepare them for elite competitions.
Advice for Aspiring Coaches
Mat’s message to those looking to make a difference in junior athletics is simple: “Keep it fun, keep it interesting. If kids enjoy training, they’ll stay in the sport.”
And the best reward? Seeing athletes exceed their own expectations. “Last year, a few of my athletes qualified for State for the first time. The look on their faces when they realised they made it to State was priceless. That’s why I do this.”
Beyond medals and PBs, Mathew’s goal is clear: to foster a love of athletics that lasts a lifetime. From a squad that started with a single athlete to a flourishing community of young competitors, he is ensuring that the next generation has the guidance, passion, and expertise to reach their own golden moments. "Keep it fun. Keep it real. The kids will remember how you made them feel, far more than what their 100m time was at age 12."
Get Involved
Mat runs his training sessions at Barton Park (North Parramatta) and Kingsdene Oval (Carlingford). Midweek training is available at 5:30pm and 6:30pm, with Sunday sessions at 2pm-4pm.
New athletes are always welcome! If you’re looking to connect, simply reach out and join the journey.
If anyone would like further information, you can connect with Mat on 0418 610 444 or at mjwoodhouse3@gmail.com.