Training
MUAC has a wide range of squads to choose from. If you wish to join any of them please contact the relevant coach using the details below.
Development Distance
| Events | Cross country, road and track |
| Squad Description | The development squad caters to all levels and abilities, whether you are a recreational runner or a more seasoned competition-focused athlete. The aim of this squad is to create a fun, inclusive and motivating training atmosphere to support you to develop a sustainable running practice. |
| Getting Involved | All welcome, just come along to any of our sessions! |
| Training Times | Monday (6:00 pm), Wednesday (6:00 pm) |
| Training Location | Social Space A, Nona Lee Sports Centre, Rawlinson Track |
| Squad Fee | N/A |
Elly Benson
| Contact | devsquad@muac.org.au |
| Qualifications | Level 1 Community Athletics Coach |
| Athletics Biography | Elly has been involved with MUAC since late 2018 after rediscovering her love for running via Parkrun and the Development Squad. She currently trains with Tony’s Blue Squad, competing regularly in Athletics Victoria events from 1500m to 10k at the state and national level. Elly is also part of the Strong Runners strength group and has been co-coaching the development squad since 2020. |
| Personal Biography | Elly currently lives in Preston and loves to run along the Merri Creek. She completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours at the University of Melbourne in 2017, majoring in Australian Indigenous Studies and Gender Studies, and currently works as a Research Coordinator for the Australian Centre in the Faculty of Arts. Elly values inclusivity and accessibility in the running community. Outside of academia and running, she enjoys swimming, yoga and hot chips. |
Daniel Sier
| Contact | devsquad@muac.org.au |
| Qualifications | Level 1 Community Athletics Coach |
| Athletics Biography | Daniel has been a member of MUAC since 2018 and coaching in the development squad since 2020 mostly track focused. Currently competing in middle distance events (800m – 5km) and a regular participant in cross country. |
| Personal Biography | After an undergraduate and masters degree continued with a PhD in physics at Melbourne Uni. Currently living in Parkville so Princes Park is the default running location. Rediscovered running after a long hiatus and have never looked back, hoping to help other get the same joy I do out of it. Values inclusivity, diversity and providing training opportunities to anyone regardless of fitness background/level. |
Maddy Button
| Contact | devsquad@muac.org.au |
| Qualifications | Level 1 Community Athletics Coach |
| Athletics Biography | Maddy grew up loving leisurely jogs and the occasional fun run. She joined MUAC in 2017 to get involved with other running enthusiasts, and currently trains with Tony’s group. Maddy competes at Athletics Victoria events in a variety of distances, although her favourite events are ultramarathons. She loves the community aspect of running as well as the sense of accomplishment that it brings. |
| Personal Biography | Aside from running, Maddy also loves cycling, hiking and sewing. She completed a Bachelor of Biomedicine degree majoring in psychology, and is currently continuing her psychology studies in the hopes of become a psychologist in the future. Maddy’s favourite way to start her day is with a leisurely jog followed by a big bowl of bircher muesli. |
Middle/Distance Blue
| Events | Track (incl steeplechase), cross country, and road: 800 m upwards |
| Squad Description | This advanced squad aims to cater to those athletes who are particularly focussed on regular structured training based around AV/AA sanctioned middle and long distance events (track, cross-country, and road). The aim of this squad is to have fun – with serious intent. That is best achieved by a supportive, inclusive and safe environment for all. A key component of what is expected within the training group is collaboration and support to each other in achieving their athletic goals, regular participation and communication. |
| Getting Involved | Invitation only — contact Tony to discuss. As this squad looks to maintain individual attention to long-term athlete development, it currently operates on an invitation only basis. Current intentions around your athletics, as opposed to past performances and standards are valued the most – hence the group has a diverse range of abilities and athletic backgrounds training at present. |
| Training Times | Tuesday (5:30 pm), Thursday (5:30 pm). This start time may move to 6:00pm if members’ work and study situations change to become less flexible than they have been of late. Saturday morning sessions are likely to recommence towards the end of Summer season (8:30 am or 9:00am start time tbc). |
| Training Location | Social Space A, Nona Lee Sports Centre, Rawlinson Track |
| Squad Fee | N/A at present |
Tony Brain
| Contact | tbrain64@gmail.com // 0414 247 149 |
| Qualifications | Each of World Athletics and Australian Track & Field Coaches Association Accreditations: Level 4 Senior Coach – Middle/Distance Disciplines. |
| Athletics Biography | MUAC member for nearly 40 years, coaching for approximately the last 28 years. Coached athletes to state, national and international events and remains a “social” competitor himself in Milers/ and winter and summer AV Events |
| Personal Biography | Family includes two teenage boys who are actively involved in various sports (one of which ran for the club in one season – so perhaps the youngest MUAC club member ever?). Claim to fame on the sporting front is not athletics, but representing Australia in Underwater Hockey. After a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from UoM, professional career headed down the path as a Chartered Accountant, having worked for Deloitte and Australian Super and now involved in a number of Boards and Committees as a Director and Committee member. |
The Parkville Project (Distance)
| Events | Track, cross country, and road: 1500 m – Marathon |
| Squad Description | This is a long distance team dedicated to pushing the limits of our capabilities within the constraints of our lives. Training structure is balanced between long intervals, short intervals, thresholds/tempo runs and racing. We are performance focused targeting cross country and road racing in the winter and track running in the summer. We are here to support each other’s goals with our core values being consistency, hard work, and balance. |
| Getting Involved | Contact Maximilian Ueda via Facebook Messenger or SMS 0413464144. The squad welcomes all athletes. New members are invited to a 30 day probationary period. |
| Training Times | Long Intervals – Tuesday 18:00 @ Parkville Short Intervals – Thursday 18:00 @ Parkville |
| Training Location | MUAC Nona Lee Sports Center is our headquarters however training location will be confirmed 48 Hours Prior to the session |
| Squad Fee | Athlete’s commitment to running |
Max Ueda
| Contact | Facebook- Maximilian Ueda P: 0413464144 E: maxueda1993@gmail.com |
| Qualifications | Athletics Australia Level 2 Long Distance Coaching Accreditation JAAF Interpreter |
| Coaching Highlights | 2020 – Coach for Nick Earl at Zatopek 10 2023 – Coached Jeevan Soundararajah for Singapore 10km Road National Record 2023 – Team Lead for Singapore Athletics Association at 2023 XC World Champs 2023 – Coached Taine Lang to U20 5000m Nationals |
| Athletics Biography | 2008 – Most Improved XC Athlete at the American School in Japan 2013 – Joined MUAC’s Development Squad 2013 – Started coaching with Nick Earl 2018 – Swedish Half Marathon Championship Representative 2019- 66:40 @ Australian Half Marathon Championships |
| Personal Biography | Born in Japan in 1993 Bachelors and Masters of Engineering Degree with Melbourne University Full Time Mechanical Engineer at Davey Water Products Living with loving partner Jeka in Stonnington |
Pole Vault
| Events | Pole Vault, Hurdles |
| Squad Description | The pole vault squad is an elite group aiming to qualify for national(Junior/Senior/Masters) championships on an annual basis. There is a clear aim to make finals at nationals and win medals at State level.Expectations for athletes are to train a minimum of 3 days per week(Juniors) or 5 days per week (seniors). |
| Getting Involved | Trial event training can be arranged for interested parties, contact Warren for more information. |
| Training Times | Tuesday (7:00 am), Thursday (7:00 am), Sunday (1:00 pm) |
| Training Location | Pole vault mats, Eastern D, Rawlinson Track |
| Squad Fee | $300 per annum includes $50 pole use fee. |
Warren Hill
| Contact | warrenmjhill@gmail.com // 0408 355 039 |
| Qualifications | Level 4 Senior Coach |
| Athletics Biography | My athletics career kicked off at University (The Ohio State University) as an adjunct to my football training. I competed at NCAA, UK National and Welsh championship level finishing 3rd at the 1990 Commonwealth Games trials with my personal best of4.90m. I still compete regularly at Masters global competitions.I coached Irie Hill, Dominic Johnson and Jason Hinkin from 1998 to the 2000 Olympics and subsequent Commonwealth Games in 2002 where Irie and Dominic won medals. I have coached at Melbourne University since 2000. |
| Personal Biography | I’m a single dad of one boy who is mad about every sport except athletics! Live in the CBD and work in Technology with Government. |
Jumps
| Events | High jump, horizontal jumps, multievents |
| Squad Description | |
| Getting Involved | |
| Training Times | |
| Training Location | High jump mats, Eastern D, Rawlinson Track |
| Squad Fee |
Sandro Bisetto
| Contact | abisetto@bigpond.net.au |
| Qualifications | Level 5 Academy Coach |
| Athletics Biography | |
| Personal Biography |
Sprints, Hurdles, Throws
| Events | Sprints/hurdles (100 m – 400 m); relays; shot put. |
| Squad Description | |
| Getting Involved | |
| Training Times | Monday–Thursday (5:15 pm), Saturday (10:00 am), Sunday (11:00 am) |
| Training Location | 100 m front straight, Rawlinson Track |
| Squad Fee |
Terry Reade
| Contact | terry.p.reade@gmail.com |
| Qualifications | Level 4 Senior Coach |
| Athletics Biography | |
| Personal Biography |
Manfred Lewandowski
| Contact | 9489 4481 |
| Qualifications | Level 4 Senior Coach |
| Athletics Biography | |
| Personal Biography |
