Rodney Stevens

The perseverance and persistence of a Maclean athletics legend in training the valley’s aspiring athletes for more than 15 years has been honoured, with part of Wherrett Park now signposted the Tom Hancock Athletics Throwing Area.

Since the early 2000’s, Mr Hancock has been honing the talent of students in shot put, discus and javelin for free at Wherrett Park.

The 86-year-old who has been competing in the Masters Games at the highest level for 46 years, winning countless medals and setting dozens of national records, said the dedication of the area came about through his athletes writing to council.

“My athletes plus the council thought that they should do that for me…I was really honoured,” he said.

“It was an area made by the council originally for schools to come in and use it, but there wasn’t a coach there, so I set it up as a coaching venue and invited the schools to send their best athletes to me.

“This sign at the athletics venue marks over 15 years I have coached throwers from all the schools in the area and we’ve had a lot of success.

“Many of these athletes were good enough, not only to represent the Northern Rivers, but to also win NSW schools titles in Sydney.”

Tom said he still enjoys competing in and coaching athletics.

“The venue is used each winter for primary schools and secondary schools’ sports, and I am available to coach on an honorary basis for any of these athletes,” he said.

“I am sure that this sign will remind many of my athletes of the time spent learning the shot, discus and javelin events.

“There are a lot of people around here that are now grown up and have children of their own who were my athletes that actually go there and have a run and they say hello.

“That’s my legacy, that I’ve helped these people do something with their lives.”

Mr Hancock goes to the gym three times a week and practices throwing at least once a week to keep up his fitness.

“I’m going down to Victoria and competing in the Victorian Titles in a couple of weeks,” he said.

“I’ll be chasing another couple of records if that’s possible,” he joked.

Despite his age, Mr Hancock said retirement from coaching and competing in athletics hadn’t seriously crossed his mind.

“When I have some sort of injury it might be time to hang up my shoes,” he said.

“God willing, if I’m still able to do it, I might as well do it.”