Coaches Corner - Mel Mustapic

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 Mel Mustapic.

Mel is a passionate coach, who is not only developing a brilliant squad of athletes, but coaches too!

Tell me about yourself and what you do?

I am Mel, Mustapic and I've been coaching for 14 years. I first got into coaching through my daughter, she was a good little runner when she was seven, so we took her off to Little A’s. I got involved that way, and then because I live in the country, I didn't have access to coaches. So, I started training her, and then the squad just grew and grew.

14 years in now,I work with a team of coaches, mostly women and my long-suffering husband. There's five women that coach with me and we've got different squads within our squad. We do everything from 100m through to 5,000m, which we've got two boys running today, as well as steeplechase and hurdles and I've also just started doing a bit of long jump, which I'm just learning, and I've got a young coach in America that's been helping me over social media. I love coaching athletics, just bringing out the best in kids and getting them to believe in themselves while keeping training fun.

My development as a coach has been predominantly around juniors, from eight years old, although, we've slid a few little sisters in (they're cute), right up to some adults and we've got about six master’s as well. So, we've got a bit of everything.

I just really love the sport and really love the support I've had in the last couple of years
through some programs with Australian Athletics as well. I have got some great mentors, women and men, it's just a good thing to be a part of.

What would you recommend to anyone interested in coaching?

Definitely just sign up and get your basic course. Even people that I've trained, get your basic level so you can actually just get on the track, and just find a coach in your area that you can go and just spend some time with them on the ground. Then, depending on how busy they are, they may be able to give you some little squads or some kids that you can start training or just sort of open yourself up to get training.

But there is plenty of help around, just reach out and ask someone, because I'm sure there'd be someone in your area or through your local club that would be able to help you,
to support you on that journey.