Testimonials

Tony is a very caring and loving coach. He takes the time in getting to know the child and the passion and willingness the child has to improve on their abilities. Once Tony knows exactly why the child wants to train, he then explains what tempo the training will start at and how this training will enhance the child’s performance and eventually the training tempo.
I have only known Tony for just over a year. In this time, I have experienced first hand, his concern and dedication to the athlete. My son Alex, who is 10 years old, is a mild asthmatic and over the past year has experienced occasional stomach pains. When Alex has these pains, Tony informs him not to run and to take it easy. He explains to Alex that unless he is I00%, he is not helping himself as his body will take longer to recover from a training session and he will not be putting all his effort into the session, as the pain will interfere with his ability to perform. Although Alex is upset from not training, he also understands why to do the time and effort Tony takes to explain to his athletes the necessity of being 100%.
Tony is a very unique person. Athletes are driven by the sheer passion and attention Tony gives them and the continuous smile he possesses when training them. Even if an athlete is having an off day, Tony will
notice and reassure the athlete that it is okay to have an off day every now and then.
Our training club and Athletes have been rewarded by Tony’s outstanding training technique with five athletes competing as State Representatives. I strongly feel the Athletes would not have achieved such an outstanding result if it wasn’t for all their efforts through training together with the inspiration and nurturing of a truly wonderful dedicated coach, TONY!

WE LOVE YOU AND THANK-YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!

Over the past 3 years, I have been involved with Little Athletics (through my son’s participation), and in this time I have seen what I believe to be a number of talented athletes become tired and bored with the sport and thus pursue other sporting activities, my son very nearly being one, however, Tony Saunders’ passion and enthusiasm are, to say the least, “infectious” and this truly rubs off on the children. Apart from Tony’s passion, his knowledge is I believe at the highest level. To possess the ability to communicate so effectively with children and bring out their very best as well as maintaining their enjoyment of the sport whilst they are “busting-a-gut” on the track is wonderful, to say the least. Often I hear Tony ask the athletes, “what is more important to you, to win a race or run a PB”? The answer to this in Tony’s eyes is always “run a PB”. This to me embodies exactly what athletics is about, being the best you possibly can with the victory just a by-product of that.

Tony ensures his athletes have fun and he helps his athletes improve and develop to their full potential. Tony provides a safe environment for participation and involves the parents of the athletes in decision-making. Tony is supportive, friendly and courteous at all times.

Tony has earned respect from the parents and the athletes that he coaches. He takes time to get to know the children individually to understand each child’s athletic ability and needs. He trains the children 7 days a week to suit into their family commitments and therefore on many occasions he puts his own family and career commitments aside.
On a personal level, he has inspired both my girls to love the sport of running. He has made this sport enjoyable to them. Tony has helped both my girls achieve personal goals and now they are working towards new goals, which makes them and our family extremely proud.
In the code of behaviour manual for coaches, it states, ”the best coaches are more interested in their Athlete’s well-being than whether they win or lose”. On a number of occasions, I have witnessed children speaking with Tony about beating other children in races, Tony always replies with “the only person you need to beat is yourself” and this is what makes Tony’s qualities as a coach OUTSTANDING! He certainly takes all the pressure off the athletes to win so they can strive for success within themselves. (PB).
His dedication to the love of the sport and children is extraordinary.

Tony is always there for his athletes. Tony is funny and friendly and he tells me when I have run well, and when I can do better. Tony makes me want to try my hardest; he has helped me to run faster, and it makes me happy when I get a PB. Tony tells me every week “thank-you for coming to training”. I always have fun when Tony is around and we have the BEST Athletics squad because Tony is our coach.

Well it’s a wrap for day two of Little A’s Regionals and what an amazing weekend it’s been for Emily & Lana. Between them they have achieved 6PB’s and qualification across 5 different events (pending official notification) to compete at State Champs next month.

Emily broke the U12 200m record in the heats of the 200m and then the junior girls 4 x 100m relay team broke the regional relay record which Em ran the 3rd leg in.

For the first time Lana has qualified in the U10G 70m and 100m by being one of the next 8 fastest qualifiers across all regions in NSW.

A huge thank you to Tony Saunders for your support and encouragement with the girls. You are the best coach and we all appreciate your passion and drive to give your squad the foundations to succeed. Your junior Squads success this weekend are a direct reflection on your coaching program. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Huge congrats also to both Caitlin & Natalie on qualifying for state too. Leanne, Fabian, Nicole and Shane, the hours of training are paying off.