CHRIS Stirling reckons she only has time for work and athletics in her life -- and that's fine by her.

Stirling was recently named the Queensland Little Athletics Association’s coach of the year, an award that was 14 years in the making.

The Mulgrave Little Athletics Club centre manager has been involved in a number of capacities for various athletics bodies since linking with the Mulgrave Athletics Club in 1994, and it’s all for one reason.

"It’s seeing the kids’ faces when they’ve made a personal best (performance)," she said yesterday.

"It’s extraordinary to see their faces light up just because they’ve done a PB and to join in with them to celebrate, just go ape, or, if I’m not there, to have them text me with their results."

Stirling, who is qualified to coach sprints, throws and jumps, is the second Mulgrave Little Athletics coach to receive the state award with Warren Galligan having also received the
honour.

It was Galligan who first encouraged Stirling to assist with the club’s throws program, but she soon branched into jumps when her son David showed high jumping talent.

Stirling said the fact Mulgrave had provided two coach of the year recipients, in addition to fellow club stalwart Wayne Blackmur being a finalist in the
QLAA volunteer of the year award, spoke volumes for the centre.

"For a little club in the sticks, as I say, we’ve done very well," she said.

"We pretty much annihilate everyone up here (in competition) at the moment.

"Our kids go everywhere, to state and national championships, and do really well and win a heap of medals."

Although pleased with the club’s success and with having helped many of her charges reach state and national competition standards, Stirling said coaching was about more than competition results.

"It’s about teaching kids, whatever their ability," she said. "We’ve got disabled kids and some with cerebral palsy, so we just coach everyone to the best of their ability."

Stirling has also coached athletes from throughout the Peninsula region.

Blackmur, one of three finalists for the volunteer of the year award, has served in the roles of centre manager, secretary, recording officer, maintenance officer and age marshall during his 12 years with the centre.

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