Wanda Surf Lifesaving Club’s Jock Campbell has been named coach of the year at the Surf Lifesaving NSW awards of excellence.
Campbell was handed the Surf Lifesaving Sydney title before being nominated for the state accolade.
Campbell’s athletes won two of the four gold medals available at the 2016 Rescue Worlds titles thanks to the efforts of Mel Campbell (opens) and Chloe Gentle (under-18s youth), with Gentle undefeated from world titles through to Aussies in her age group. Jesse Thus was also a member of the winning beach relay team.
There were also two gold medals at the 2017 Australian titles for Campbell’s athletes Gentle and Kai Hammond in the under-14s. They also won four out of the eight gold medals available at the state titles, with Jesse Phelps (under-15s female) and Lauren McMahan (under-19s female) adding to Hammond and Gentle’s state achievements.
There were also five golds at the Sydney Branch Championships for Campbell-trained athletes.
Campbell, who has been coaching in the shire for more than 30 years, is the coach of Wanda’s 2km Beach Team and has been since the inception of the race at Aussies and state titles 14-years-ago.
Campbell was the first ever beach coach to complete the Performance Coach Accreditation through Surf Lifesaving Australia, as well as developing his 2-kilometre beach program.
In December, Campbell completed the IAAF Level 4 Athletics Coaching Course in middle and long distance running. It is the second highest level in the world with courses rarely held, the last in 2010.
Campbell, through his company Jock Athletic, also provides two full scholarships for Wanda athletes, with Tilly Hand (Nippers) and Mitch Palmer/Ali Najem (seniors) earning the scholarships last season.
Cronulla Surf Lifesaving Club’s Wayne Drury was also awarded the volunteer of the year title.
