Kym Miller Athletics Interview
What do you love about this community?
The club attracts and helps to develop positive, motivated achievers. Those with these attributes normally stay longer than those without, thus creating a common understanding and a great environment to be involved in.
Is there anything you don’t like about this community? If so, what is it?
The committee is lacking in new faces, a lot of jobs fall to the older and longest serving committee members. Everyone is equal in the club until it comes to actually doing club work.
What issues is the club face at present?
There is a continuing history of lack of support and referral of new athletes to our club from the peak body. We do all the requested tasks that keep us rated as the highest rank of club as far as the national “Clubs on Track” measurement tool. We have Elite Athletes who have been developed through our junior grades and have the best equipped club in the State. Due to training mostly at our club ground and not at the Mile End State Facility we also may miss having athletes referred to our coaches.
What is the most important issue concerning you as a member of this community?
Membership Numbers in the club, as well as the number of athletes in my squad, the lack of coaches, officials and committee members. We have seen a large number of young athletes joining 2 other clubs in the past 2 years and can see that it will be hard to stay competitive in some grades as other teams will win by just having more numbers and not better athletes.
What inspires you?
Claire Woods who is our latest Olympian and her husband to be, Jared Tallent. I have known Claire (27 years old) since she was 12 years old and can vouch that she was a very ordinary child who has proven that with persistence you can succeed.
Some of the athletes I coach are like sons and daughters to me. I have watched them grow and succeed in all areas of life and I hope that my advice and guidance has helped.
What is your role in this community?
I am a Coach, Manager, Recruiter, Groundsman, Handyman, Fundraiser, Grant Applicant, Athlete and Vice President.
What can the Enfield Harriers Athletics Club do for you?
Or what can I do for Enfield Harriers!! I earn a small income from a Coaching Business which only pays my bills. All other work I do is of a voluntary nature but it provides my business with the best facility and equipment that is possible to help in producing very good athletes.
What do you do to support this community?
I often apply for funding or help raise money to complete projects around the club. I attend club meetings monthly, facility meetings when needed and state meetings when I see a benefit. I run holiday coaching clinics and provide training for regular athletes and network and coach the Little Athletics Club. I often set up and pack up for school groups who use the club for sports days and helped set up our strong connection with Special Olympics.
How did you get started as a member of the Enfield Harriers Athletics Club?
My family started when I was 7 and they let me join and compete from the age of 8 in an under15 age group competition. I had a lot of energy and it was a great way to channel it into something good. It has always been a big part of my life.
What do you gain by being a part of this athletics club?
I help instil good health, good morals and good attitudes into young people. I teach people to be strong and proud, and to challenge themselves and become successful in life and sport.
Any other comments.
If I was to move to the East Coast of Australia I would earn a very good income due to the population and the environment that is evident. I have researched it, I have seen the clubs and spoken with the coaches, but I can’t seem to break the loyalty to my friends at this club.
Are water restrictions an issue for keeping the grounds suitable for training?
No, the local council has a policy of turning off water on all non-sports grounds so as to keep our oval well watered.
What are the allowances for the field?
I don’t know, but the oval is used by over 250 athletes and is a resource for community health so it is given preferential treatment in its allowance.
How is the club funded? (grants from state, federal, local government, etc.)
The club has many fundraising initiatives such as selling chocolates, bottle drives and hosting schools and community group sports days. We apply for state and local government grants and also grants that are offered by large companies. We also have club fees that we charge our competing athletes and we have associate members and gym members.
Can you tell me anything about the special Olympics training program?
Chris Farmer has been competing as a Special Olympian for many years and has taken on the role of Coach in the past 2 years at our club. I helped Chris do a coaching course and since then has had a regular group on Tuesdays train through some of the Winter but mostly in the warmer months. Many of the athletes he coaches are members of our club and whilst they don’t all compete for our club they are great to have around.