Olympic Winter Institute of Australia Coach of the Year

Gary Sutton – Cycling
In 2009 Gary Sutton coached several NSWIS athletes to world championship appearances. Kaarle McCulloch and Ashlee Ankudinoff both competed at the track world championships, with McCulloch claiming gold in the women’s team sprint, and Ankudinoff taking bronze in the women’s team pursuit. One of Sutton’s star pupils, Megan Dunn, was recognised as the most successful junior cyclist in history when she claimed her fourth, fifth and six junior world championship crowns in August.

Grant Stoelwinder – Swimming
Grant Stoelwinder joined the NSWIS in late 2008, and has since been in charge of Institute’s newly established International Training Program. Stoelwinder coached Lisbeth Trickett, Andrew Lauterstein and Matthew Abood to appearances at the 2009 FINA Aquatic World Championships. From the championships, Trickett claimed one silver and two bronze medals, and Lauterstein finished with a bronze medal.

Guy Wilding – Canoe Sprint
Guy Wilding coached NSWIS athletes Jo Brigden-Jones, Murray Stewart and Torsten Lachmann to appearances at a world championship level, with Brigden-Jones and Stewart both achieving top eight finishes. Wilding continues to harness the talent of athletes transferring from surf ski, which will only allow the canoe sprint talent pool to grow, with the hope of Australia becoming increasingly competitive at an international level.

Denis Knowles – Track & Field
Denis Knowles coaches NSWIS world champion Dani Samuels. In 2009 Samuels achieved what no other 21 year old female discus thrower has ever achieved, winning a world championship gold medal. In the lead up, Knowles and Samuels worked extensively with the NSWIS sport science team, this included using the Institute’s Vicon 3D motion analysis system, which captured accurate and detailed information on her throwing technique.

Chava Sobrino – Diving
Chava Sobrino is one of the world’s most respected coaches. During the nomination period Sobrino coached NSWIS athletes Matthew Mitcham and Alexandra Croak to world championship appearances. At the 2009 Aquatic World Championships in Rome, Mitcham claimed a bronze medal in the Men’s 1m Springboard, as well as fourth in the 10m Platform and 9th in the 3m Springboard, while Croak finished 7th in the Women’s 10m Platform.