DISCUS IN DEMAND: Ipswich athletics coach Mick Moore spends most of his time helping discus throwers.
ONE of Mick Moore’s goals is to help a regional competitor qualify for the Commonwealth Games or Olympics.
As a level 4 discus coach, he is one of the most experienced mentors at the Ipswich and District Athletics Club.
However, his work spreads beyond the promising athletes at the respected Ipswich club.
He’s currently assisting Australian Development Squad (under-19) discus thrower Filoi Aokuso qualify for the World Junior titles next year.
“She’s not actually a member of this club,” Moore said. “She will. She’s still been representing NSW for the last two years I’ve been coaching her.”
Aokuso is one of Australia’s most exciting throwing prospects, having competed in Lille in 2011 and making the top 10 in shotput at the world youth titles.
Moore will be a happy coach if she completes her switch to a permanent Queensland base with the Ipswich club.
Among his promising discus prospects at the Ipswich and District Athletics Club are under-15 nationals representative Elle Raeli and rising 12-year-old Rochelle Vidler.
Fernvale-based Rochelle is breaking records in discus and is a state football representative.
Moore, 55, was a former sprinter who played Reserve grade rugby league for Brisbane Brothers before concentrating on his coaching career.
“I’ve always loved the throws,” he said, having been a level 4 coach for three years.
He started coaching in Little Athletics with his children, becoming centre manager for 15 years and a life member of Goodna Little Athletics.
As for why he enjoys the throws, Goodna-based Moore offers a simple motivation. “You can’t see one-hundredth of a second improvement but you can see metres improvement,” he said.
Moore has coached in all the throwing events ― discus, shotput, javelin and hammer.
“But I’ve had so many athletes who do discus I don’t have time to do any of the others,” he said.
“It’s pretty much all discus.”
The insurance assessor is currently working with 15 athletes. He devotes about 15 hours a week to club coaching.
Away from athletics, Moore enjoys playing golf. However, his all-year round commitment to coaching takes up most of his sporting time.
“To get an athlete and go to Olympics or Commonwealth Games would be good,” he said, before heading on to Bill Paterson Oval to continue his valuable work.
Coach in focus
Mike Moore’s key role: Level 4 discus coach at Ipswich and District Athletics Club. Joined club eight years ago after being centre manager and life member at Goodna Little Athletics.
Most satisfying part of coaching: “Seeing the thrill on their face when they do something. You get as excited as them.”
Toughest part of coaching: “Nothing is tough.”
Helpful advice: Moore chats to Ipswich’s former World Junior Games bronze medallist and Olympic weightlifter Deborah Acason (nee Lovely). “When I need some info, I give her a call,” he said.
