By Ron Lane
On attending the annual Noosa Gift over several years I have watched Coach Mick Hooper work with the young athletes, directing them around the ground, stopping for a chat and in some cases giving last minute advice as they head for the starters line; and their response is one of good communication. Despite his quiet disposition, here is a man who has success as a constant companion.
“For us,” said Mick, “the Gift would have to be the biggest meet of the year and the relationship between our coaches and the Gift organisers, Ian Smith and team, is always very good. But most important the carnival is a great opportunity for our kids to get a start in their first major event; what could be better than running in front of a home crowd.”
When parents are looking to support their kids in their chosen sport they first look for a good successful club. Then the first questions are, “Who is the coach and what are his qualifications?’’ Within our community the club is the Noosa Little Athletics and the head coach is Mick Hooper who is now the proud holder of the International Level 4 IAAF Qualification in Coaching; and it is this that enables Mike to coach athletes at elite levels.
The tally of some 72 medals won over a ten year period at national level speaks volumes for not only this quite achiever but also his support team.
It is now five years since the growth of the Noosa club made it essential for the formation of an elite squad. ‘’This would enable our athletes to continue their careers without moving away; and it was done with the full support of Queensland Athletics,” he said.
If this was to be a success the athletes had to be confident that they would be in the hands of properly trained and certified coaches and with Mick obtaining his IAAF qualifications this was exactly what was needed. In that five year period nine athletes have been selected to represent their country in international events. And now for the first time ever two juniors, (U/20) Zane Branco and Samantha Johnson have been selected to represent Australia at the Junior World Championships in Finland in July this year.
“Their times in the selection trials were really great,” Coach Hooper said. “Zane who won the 200m sprint ran a personal best of 20.68sec and Samantha finished third in the 100 hurdles in a personal best of 13.76sec. Samantha’s time was fast enough to qualify her for Finland.”
The IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) is the highly regarded International Governing Body for the Sport of Athletics. Its president is the legendary Olympian Sarbastian Coe: and their high ranking Level 4 coaching course “is for the further development of high performance coaching.”
This is the level at which our coach now stands. Having completed such a comprehensive study of the art of coaching, one comes to understand the reason for Coach Hooper’s success. It is indeed gratifying for parents to know that this is available at Noosas Little Athletics should their children choose athletics as their sport.
“Coaching our young kids can sometimes be slow and frustrating. First of all on joining they have to learn to have fun with their friends, have a go at all types of events until finally settling on a couple that they enjoy. Then they start to win the occasional medal and this of course gives them self-confidence; and most important of all the desire to stay in the sport.
“As they get older and progress through the levels there comes the time for that serious chat. This is the time when we as coaches have to sit down discuss their ambitions and if they are serious and have the determination, fully explain what lies ahead. The acceptance of advanced training programs, self- discipline, dieting and above all setting their goals; and their willingness to make those personal sacrifices that will become necessary if they are to reach the top.“
The recent selection of Branco and Johnson to contest the Junior World Championships is an outstanding achievement and tells us that we must be doing something right. Both joined Little Athletics as U/11s. On reaching 15 we met and explained what would be required should they become serious about international competition. By continuing a well-balanced program over the years they start to peek at 19 and this is when we make them aware that selection for the Olympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games is now a possibility.”
However these are just two of Noosas track and field people that are really starting to get great results and make people take note. Others such as, U/16 Casey Payne 300m hurdles, Leo Drake 100m sprint, U/17 Jahal Adamovskis-Kraus javelin and Amy Brice who won gold at the national titles competing in the gut wrenching three day event, the heptathlon.
“With all this young talent available the problem of obtaining good junior coaches to come on board is of the utmost importance. It is something that must give our full attention,’’ Hooper said.
During our discussion he bought to my attention something that simply amazed me. “Did you know that one of the problems that go with international selection is a $4,000 levy which is a pre-requisite for all our young athletes selected to represent their country. Recently I discussed this with a visiting international athlete who was totally dumb founded and answered my enquiries with a question. “Why is this, they have been chosen to represent their country?”
For Mike his journey through the world of amateur athletics has been totally supported by his devoted wife Val. Not only has Val given her support but she, also as a result of her commitment to Little Athletics, has been honored by being elected (three years ago) for a seat on the State Board of Directors. Early in his coaching career Mick was also recognized for his work in the Little Athletics by being named for two consecutive years 2011-12 the Queensland Coach of the Year.
For Mick it seems that he was born to live the sporting life. On leaving high school at the end of year 10 he began working in a Sydney restaurant and also started playing rugby league for the Sydney Bulldog Juniors. During this period, for two successive seasons, he made the NSW U18 team playing second row and later played in the U23s; and while still working the restaurant he met Val.
Sydney football was followed by a stint in England playing for Halifax and then Mansfield and following his league commitments, Mick and Val, who had also moved to England, backpacked through Europe. On returning home he decided to catch up with his brother Alan who was working at Mooloolaba. Both Mick and Val loved the coast, stayed 12 months and invested in a block of land. He continued his football playing for Maroochydore Swans and this led to his selection in Falcons.
Then thinking of a career Mick decided on the services. Visiting an air force recruiting office he took the necessary papers home, but he said with a laugh, “I went back next day only to find that the office was then run by the army, listened to what they had to say and joined with them.” This was to be the start of a 14 year career during which time he saw service in Darwin and two deployments to Timor.
During his Darwin service, Mick and Val, then happily married, became the proud parents of four children – three boys and a girl. While on military long service they returned to the Coast and while looking for a home base settled on a block in the new Noosa Banks. After settling in at Noosa Banks family life started in earnest. In summer the kids joined Noosa Nippers and winter the Pirates Rugby League. It was during this time that Micks coaching career took off. He spent nine years coaching in the junior league and on Friday afternoons coached the Noosa Little Athletics. “The Friday sessions were great, a family affair with all of us involved. Val saw it as a family sport with emphasis on family, fun and fitness,” he said.Noosa councillor Joe Jurisevic who supports the Little Athletics and has known Mick for many years said: “Micks dedication and devotion to the kids and the results he has achieved are a credit to him. It is good to see him get public recognition.”
It is sad but true that the despite little or no publicity, athletics carries the mantle of being the Olympics Games leading sport. However to Mick Hooper Athletics Coach, his family, support coaches and workers, your outstanding successful contribution to Noosa Athletics is noted and acknowledged.
