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life
My other life:
by Greg Martin
Mick Ferris, one of the country’s
most highly-respected triathlon
coaches, believes he has “a few”
young charges under his care who
have the potential to go to the
highest levels of the sport.
Mick, himself a top-notch triathlete
during his competitive days, should
know a good ‘un from an also-ran.
He represented Australia at the
1997 World Championships in Perth,
was five times a top finisher in the
Australian Ironman Triathlon and
was good enough to earn berths in
starting line-ups at the Big Daddy-ofall-triathlons, the Hawaiian Ironman.
So good in fact that in 1997, he
was the second Australian home
in 52nd place – there were 2000
competitors – behind compatriot, the
great Greg Welch.
The still super-fit 49-year-old Mick
operates Multi Sports Central Junior
Performance Squad and has under
his guidance 15 boys and girls aged 11
years to 17 years.
Mick was reluctant to name the
athletes whom he believes can
progress to the elite level, telling your
writer that he didn’t want to put any
pressure on them by spruiking their
names so early in their careers.
But that’s Mick Ferris, always
thinking of others – especially the
kids in his squad.
Training the youngsters each
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
afternoons and Saturday mornings
as well as accompanying them to
competitions is Mick Ferris’ other life.
His “day job” is running a
commercial-grade vinyl laying
business which he has operated for
28 years out of his home at Ebenezer.
Which he shares with his wife,
Suzi and three children, Jack, 16,
Josh, 14 and 12-year-old Emily, all of
whom are following in their dad’s
footsteps in the sporting arena!
Both Jack and Josh are members
of the Triathlon NSW Junior
Development Squad along with
Mick Ferris at his
day job – laying
vinyl and running
his successful
business.
Mick Ferris
Cameron Lukitsh.
And putting the polish on their
skills in that squad? Why Mick Ferris
of course!
Four other members of the
squad have done well enough in
competitions to earn spots at the
Western Sydney Academy of Sport.
Mick is an elite Level II High
Perfo ɵ