Youth Athletics Development Sydney | Olympic Coach Training
Led by John Quinn — a three-time Olympic Games athletics coach with over two decades at the highest level of track and field. From Cathy Freeman's gold medal Games in Sydney to coaching Afghanistan's team in Paris, John brings genuine Olympic-level coaching expertise to youth athletics development at Five Dock.
BUILT FOR THE DEMANDS OF ATHLETICS
Track and field rewards precision. Sprint mechanics, jump technique, and conditioning all need to be coached with an understanding of what elite performance actually requires — not generic gym programming applied to a track athlete.
Sprint Mechanics & Speed Development
Technical sprint coaching from a coach who has worked with Olympic 100m and 400m athletes — and Usain Bolt himself. Acceleration mechanics, top-end speed, and the technical detail that separates fast from technically efficient.
Event-Specific Conditioning
Sprints, relays, middle distance, jumps — each event demands a different physical and technical profile. Programming built around your young athlete's specific event, not a generic "athletics" template.
Olympic-Level Coaching Philosophy
The same coaching principles John has applied across three Olympic Games — relay changeovers, technical refinement under pressure, and performance preparation — adapted and scaled for junior athletes building their foundation.
Injury Prevention & Load Management
Track and field carries real injury risk for developing athletes — hamstring strains, growth-related issues, and overuse patterns. Programming built with the same rigour John has applied managing elite athletes through Olympic campaigns.
THREE OLYMPIC GAMES. ONE COACH.
John has coached track and field at three consecutive Olympic Games across two decades — a level of sustained, elite international coaching experience extremely rare in youth athletic development.
John was named Team Coach for sprints and relays at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games — the same Games that produced Cathy Freeman's iconic 400m gold medal. He personally coached Lee Naylor (400m/Relay) and Lauren Hewitt (100m/200m/Relay). The Australian women's 4x400m relay team he coached set a national record of 3:23.81 — a record that still stands today.
Australian Team Coach for sprints in Tokyo, personally coaching Bendere Oboya in the 400m at one of the most unusual Olympic Games in history — held under strict COVID protocols with empty stadiums and minimal athlete interaction.
Contacted directly by the International Olympic Committee to coach the Refugee Olympic Team in Paris, John served as Team Coach for Afghanistan — personally coaching Kimia Yousofi (100m), an Afghan refugee athlete based in Australia. The role also extended to supporting athletes across cycling, judo, and swimming. John has coached refugee athletes throughout his career from Algeria, Afghanistan, Gambia, Sierra Leone, and more.
WORKED WITH USAIN BOLT
"What a pleasure it was to work with Usain Bolt at the Gatorade Bolt in Sydney in 2010."
John worked directly with Usain Bolt — the fastest man in history and multiple Olympic gold medallist — during his visit to Sydney. That level of access and credibility at the absolute top of world sprinting now flows directly into how John coaches every young sprinter at Five Dock.
OLYMPIC ATHLETES.
John has personally coached athletes to Olympic finals, national records, and international competition across his three-Games coaching career.
Personally coached by John at the Sydney Olympic Games. Member of the Australian 4x400m relay team that reached the Olympic final.
Personally coached by John at the Sydney Olympic Games across sprint and relay events.
The team John coached set a new Australian record of 3:23.81 at the Sydney Olympic Games — a record that still stands today.
Personally coached by John as part of the Australian Olympic Team at the Tokyo Games.
Afghan refugee athlete personally coached by John as part of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team at the Paris Games.
Worked directly with Bolt at the Gatorade Bolt event in Sydney, 2010 — coaching alongside the greatest sprinter in history.
BEYOND THE TRACK.
John's elite coaching career extends well beyond athletics — high performance roles across AFL and NRL bring a multi-sport conditioning perspective to every athletics program.
A decade-long role with the GWS Giants AFL program, working across high performance and athlete preparation.
Current role with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs NRL program.
High performance role with the Penrith Panthers NRL program during a period of sustained on-field success.
John was also High Performance Manager at Essendon Football Club during their record-breaking AFL season, and is a verified coach listed on Athletics Australia's official coach finder.
Book a SessionCOACHED BY SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN THERE.
John Quinn brings a level of elite international coaching experience that's exceptionally rare in youth sport. Three Olympic Games, Olympic gold medal company, AFL and NRL high performance roles, and Olympic record-setting athletes — all now coaching young athletes at Five Dock.
John Quinn is a leading high performance coach who has worked as a professional coach, consultant, and speaker in elite sport both nationally and internationally for over two decades. He has coached track and field at three Olympic Games — Sydney 2000, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024 — personally guiding athletes to Olympic finals, national records, and international competition. His career also spans high performance roles at GWS Giants, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Penrith Panthers, and Essendon Football Club.
ASSESSMENT. PROGRAM. PROGRESS.
Every young athlete starts with a comprehensive assessment. From there, John builds a program specific to their event, age, and development stage — using the same principles applied at three Olympic Games.
Physical & Technical Profile Assessment
Sprint mechanics analysis, technical screening, and event-specific physical testing. John assesses where your young athlete currently sits before building anything.
Event-Specific Programming
Periodised around the athletics season — building toward key competitions, carnivals, or championships. Tailored to sprints, relays, middle distance, or jumps.
Ongoing Refinement
Regular technical review and progression — the same iterative coaching process John has applied at Olympic level, scaled appropriately for a developing junior athlete.
EXPLORE OTHER PROGRAMS.
TRAIN WITH AN OLYMPIC COACH.
John Quinn brings three Olympic Games of coaching experience to youth athletics development at Five Dock. No referral needed.
Book a Session