Inside Australia’s Elite Sprint Coaching – My Experience in Canberra 🇦🇺

2026 Sprints Conference Canberra

There are moments in an athlete’s journey that go beyond training sessions and competitions—moments where you step into environments that challenge your thinking, expand your perspective, and elevate your craft.

Being part of the elite sprint coaching workshop in Canberra on January 23 was exactly that kind of experience.

A Gathering of World-Class Minds

This wasn’t just another coaching event—it was a rare opportunity to learn directly from some of Australia’s most respected sprint coaches, each bringing their own philosophy, system, and proven success.

Hearing from coaches who are actively shaping national and international performers gave incredible insight into what truly drives world-class sprint performance.

Andrew Iselin shared the journey behind Lachlan Kennedy’s World Indoor silver, breaking down not just the physical preparation, but the intent and structure behind every session.

Emma Millett delivered outstanding clarity on building consistent and reliable three-point starts—a foundation often underestimated but critical for race execution.

Braiden Clarke spoke about developing young athletes, something very close to my own coaching philosophy with NextGen Sprints.

Katie Edwards gave a powerful look into Para Worlds preparation, highlighting the adaptability and precision required at the highest level.

Corey Innes wrapped it up by unpacking the 2025 national sprint squad gym program, connecting strength training directly with track performance.

What Stood Out the Most

What made this experience special wasn’t just the knowledge—it was the alignment of principles across different coaching styles:

Simplicity wins – The best programs aren’t complicated, they’re intentional

Execution over theory – It’s not what you know, it’s what the athlete can consistently deliver

Individualisation is key – No two athletes respond the same way

Strength + speed integration – Gym work must transfer directly to sprint mechanics

These are principles I strongly believe in—and it was incredibly powerful to see them reinforced at the highest level within the Australian system.

Translating Learning into Coaching Practice

As a Level 3 Performance Coach and Olympian based in Australia, I am constantly looking for ways to bring world-class systems into my own coaching environment.

This workshop has already influenced how I approach:

Sprint mechanics under fatigue

Start efficiency and acceleration phases

Strength programming for speed transfer

Coaching communication with developing athletes

Everything I took away is being actively integrated into NextGen Sprints, ensuring that the athletes I work with benefit from the same high-performance thinking used within Australia’s elite sprint environment.

If you’re looking to take your speed, technique, and performance to the next level, feel free to reach out or explore Next Gen Sprints—where elite-level coaching meets athlete development.

– Sarthak Bhambri

Olympian | Level 3 Performance Coach | Founder – Next Gen Sprints 🚀