The 2024/25 Athletics Season
- desproctor
- Apr 17
- 3 min read
Updated: May 10
Coaching Reflections: The Highs, the Lows, and Everything in Between
By Des Proctor
Coaching is more than just training plans and race results—it's a journey of resilience, relationships, and growth. As I reflect on the past year and look ahead to what’s next, I’m reminded just how much can change in a season, and how every challenge carries the potential for something greater.
2023: A Year to Remember
The 2023 season delivered some incredible moments. Two of my athletes reached the pinnacle of success, winning Australian national titles in the 10,000m and 800m. Several others recorded personal bests and standout performances across a range of events. It was the kind of year that reminds you why you coach.
2024: When Plans Go Sideways
As is often the case in sport, the next chapter brought its own share of challenges. The month of April didn’t deliver the results we’d hoped for. Leanne was sidelined with injury, and Riley, after a tough season, made the decision to move to a new training group in September. These moments are never easy, but they’re part of the process.
Turning Setbacks into Comebacks
The silver lining? Leanne’s return was nothing short of inspirational—winning nine straight races over a range of distances. Johnny also stepped up, earning bronze at the U20 National Cross Country Championships, Kieran continued his winning ways winning both the school's title and the Athletics Australia event in the brutal conditions of Tasmania while the wider group continued to build momentum.
December Highlights and Full-Circle Moments
December brought some of the most memorable performances of the year. Kieran swept the U16 national titles in the 800m, 1500m, and 3000m. Johnny added another national medal and claimed a bronze at the De Castella 3k.
From the All Schools meet, fresh talent emerged:
Lara ran 57.8 for 400m and 2:12 for 800m, winning bronze in the U14 category for 800m.
Matilda ran a stellar 17:11 for 5k, solidifying her spot among Australia’s top U20 distance athletes.
Leanne rounded out the year with a 3rd-place finish at the National 10k Championships at Zatopek—an exciting preview of her future in the marathon.
2025: Hitting the Ground Running
We started the new year strong. At the ACT Championships, the results spoke for themselves:
Johnny ran 3:48 for 1500m
Kieran posted 3:50
Rylan followed with 3:56
Zoe impressed with a 4:19, and
Audrey showed great promise at 4:38
The season only got better for Johnny as he ran 14:00.23 for 5k and 8:05 for 3k, while Rylan clocked 14:46 and 8:24.Zoe took 6th in the National 3k, with Steph finishing 9th.
Making History
Then came a milestone that will be hard to top—Leanne ran 2:24:53 at the Nagoya Marathon, setting the fastest marathon debut ever by an Australian woman. A historic moment that validated years of hard work and belief.
I’ll never forget the look on Rylan’s face after he ran a huge PB of 8:24.7 in the 3k at Box Hill—pure joy.
Zoe received an invitation to the prestigious Maurie Plant meet, running 9:14 in the 3k with confidence and composure.
National Championships and International Selections
At the Athletics Nationals, our team continued to shine:
Kieran added his 13th and 14th national titles in the 1500m and 3k
Audrey placed 4th in the U20 1500m
Steph secured 8th in the open women’s 1500m
And in May, we received two incredible announcements:
Johnny was selected for the U23 Team to compete in Taiwan
Leanne earned selection to represent Australia in the marathon at the 2025 World Athletics Championships
Looking Ahead
There are so many more stories I could tell—every result, every effort matters. Behind each time on the clock is a moment of growth, struggle, and triumph.
As the 2025 winter season approaches, I’m more motivated than ever. I’m proud of what this group has achieved, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store.
Whether you’re chasing a PB, building back from injury, or just getting started—stay committed. The highs, the lows, and everything in between are all part of the journey.
Thanks for reading. If you’d like to follow our journey more closely, feel free to subscribe or reach out.
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