In the world of Australian sport, there is basically two types of athletes – the professional and the amateur. For the professional, one of the biggest money earners would have to be football. Regardless of the code, for those who reach the top the financial rewards, are in some cases beyond belief. Then for the amateur what is beyond belief is the total lack of financial assistance, even for those who have the ability and the coaching to take them to the top of national, international or Olympic fame.
To reach the top as an amateur the two most important factors are of course their family support and above all the coach. That man or woman who has the ability to recognise the talent, bring it to the surface, know when to push and when to back off: and most important of all, understand what makes the athlete tick. There is that false conception that a great champion will automatically make a great coach: nothing could be further from the truth.
Every community has its coaches, and amongst the many is that handful who have taken their protégé to the very top: both National and International. The four you are about to meet over the next two weeks have all achieved outstanding success and have done so with one factor that is applicable to all.
No football boots required. However, this factor always creates two major problems. Raising finance and gaining media attention.
In Noosa’s Athletics and Little Athletics Club, Head Coach is Mick Hooper. Despite his quiet disposition, here is a man who now has success as a constant companion. As a coach Mick has now for several years, been the proud holder of the International Level 4 IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) the highly regarded International governing body for the Sport of Athletics. His achievements, as a coach of both individuals and team events speak for themselves.
Under the coaching and guidance of Mick and his coaching panel, club members have won a total of 72 Australian championship medals, 23 of which were Australian champions, five Australian records and also 11 medals both relay and individual, at international level. Most outstanding of all on 11 occasions members the Noosa Athletic Club have had the honour of representing their country in Oceania Championships, Youth Commonwealth Games, Youth Olympic Games and World Championships.
It is no wonder that early in his career Hooper was, for two consecutive years (2011- 2012),named Queensland Little Athletics Coach of the Year. Now he still holds the reins and despite the years is still achieving.
“The year 2018 is a year that I will never forget. Apart from having Zane Branco and Samantha Johnson qualified for the Junior World Championships in Finland, it gave me the chance to talk with several European coaches,” he said. “They were shocked when told, that despite the fact they were representing their country, the parents had to contribute approximately $5000 towards the trip. European coaches that I spoke to, said all their expenses were paid for by the government. It really made me understand exactly what we are up against in amateur sport.”
In summarising their achievements Coach Hooper said, “Our pathways are now fully established, with athletes that started with Noosa’s Little A’s as 10-year-olds. Now they are travelling through Europe competing as Open Athletes.” Two such athletes, Zane Branco and Christie Edwards, have both won medals while competing in Norway and the Great Britain National U23 Championships.
Another of our successful coaches who acknowledges, that in his sport, there are no football boots required, is Bryan Dukas 6th Dan, owner and Head Coach of Karate Noosa. Bryan, who hails from South Africa, migrated to Australia and settled in Noosa with his wife and two children in August of 2016. Introduced into the world of Karate by his father at age five and trained under the Japanese syllabus, it became his life’s ambition. “You could say that I grew up in a dojo: I lived worked and trained there. Always under my father’s supervision.”
Born in 1978, his many visits to Japan and countries throughout the world for advanced training, competition and teaching, have earned him success and respect at all levels of the art: and resulting in a career that is without a doubt, beyond reproach. Regarding qualifications, he is now at the highest level: holding the International licenses as an instructor, referee and examiner. Regarding his international experience, he has visited for competition and seminars 16 different countries. His medal count in competition is vast.
In coaching his achievements have been many and outstanding. Named amongst the highlights there is: 2011 to 2016 Chief Coach for the WSKF (World Shotokan Karate Federation) South Africa to the World Shotokan Championships, produced 10 National Team Members (South Africa) over 20 World Shotokan Champions (South Africa and Australia) 3 WKF ( World Karate Federation) bronze medallist (South Africa) and WKF Bronze Certified Coach Australia. In Australia his dojo was named the best dojo in Queensland for 2016-2019, (4 years running). Bryan has now been selected as Queensland Head Kata Coach for 2021- 2022 and has also coached many Queensland team members: also produced Oceania and National champions for Australia from Noosa.
As with Noosa Athletic Club, financial assistance and media attention for martial arts is virtually non-existent. A classic example of this, would have to be the career of Karate Noosa’s, Dannica Starkey, a teenage athlete of international renown. Under the training of Bryan Dukas and coaching staff, this 14-year-old student is, despite her youth, definitely one to be admired and above all respected. Her relationship to Dukas and other senior instructors such as Mike Hislop 5th Dan, has been one of outstanding success. “Her attitude and approach to karate is very determined and positive,” said Dukas
Her list of achievements is definitely outstanding: 5 State titles, 4 Australian titles all in kumite (a section of karate). In 2018 she was named in the Australian team to compete in New Zealand in the Oceanic Cup winning the bronze medal in kumite. Then again in the same year while still representing her country in the Pacific Cup won a silver medal in the kata. However, the year 2019 was the one to remember, winning her first Australian gold medal and following this winning the gold medal in Japan in the World Championships: all for this junior Black Belt at age 13.
Despite her youth she has not neglected the financial burden imposed upon her family: she undertook to start a small tee-shirt business to help raise funds. On her shirts was her slogan Kick Like a Girl. It was fun and a success.
When chosen to represent one’s country in international competition it is indeed considered an honour: however, when it involves travel to such places as Japan it can come as a big cost to the family. With no public recognition and sponsorship, it is definitely a burden. “When chosen for Australia, Dannica not only paid $400 for her green and gold track suite, (of course it included the National Coat of Arms), but also all other sides, travel, accommodation, entry fees and other little hidden expenses. A total of roughly $15,000.” All for the honour of representing Australia overseas against the finest in the world. We can all take pride in the achievements of this young lady and her family: but surely it is time that we approach the problems that face families whose sons and daughters choose a sport where no football boots are required.
For coaches such as Mick Hooper and Bryan Dukas, they too will often go unnoticed, but with the support of media and sponsors, these often, unrecognised people. who bring pride to our communities, will get their well-deserved respect. Next week we introduce two more of our outstanding coaches: Mark Evans amateur boxing and Yoshi Hasegawa Jiu-Jitsu. And also announce to the community their champions and achievements.
