Meet the Coaches
Our difference is your advantage.
Formally Est 2022. Coaching since 2018.
Sole Steppers Race Walking is a premier coaching service dedicated to promoting the skill of race walking. With years of experience in the sport, coaches Alissa and Laelia are committed to fostering a community of enthusiastic, hard working athletes and developing in them the technique, fitness, endurance, strength, motivation and confidence they need to excel in this highly technical sport.
Outstanding Results from the Start
Every athlete who has joined our squad has reached State level by the end of their first season (just 6 months) — even those with no prior coaching in Race Walking, many even medalling at State. Seven athletes have gone on to reach National level within three years of beginning their walking journey with us.
What makes us different?
Limited squad numbers for maximum coach attention, our technique coaching methods and at-home skills development programs, our emphasis on fun not just performance, the squads’ inclusive community, our holistic approach to each individual athlete and the out-of -coaching support we provide to athletes and their families.
Squad Achievements
World
World rankings/World Top Lists* in 2026:
- 36th U18s 3000m Walk (12 year old athlete)
Final World rankings for 2025*
- 89th for the U18s 3000m Walk (11 year old athlete)
Final World Rankings* for 2024:
- 48th U18s 5km Road Walk
- 52nd U18s 10,000m Walk
- 69th U18s 5000m Walk
*All events World Permit meets with World Rankings as listed on World Athletics
National
- National Gold x5
- National Silver x2
- National Bronze x4
- Above National Medals won at the Australain T&F Championship, National All Schools, National Road Walk Championships & the Australian Little Athletis Championships.
- National Championship Record: 2026 Little Athletics Champs, 1500m Walk, Nate Appleyard, 6:24.
- Many Gold, Silver and Bronze individual and team medals at the Australian Federation of Race Walk Clubs National Championships each year.
- 7 athletes so far qualifying for the Summer Australian Track & Field Championships, with most qualifying in the first year they are old enough to compete.
State
- 2024, a Sole Stepper recorded the 9th fastest time in the 88 year history of the NSW All Schools Championships finishing the U17s 5000m Walk in 22:58.78.
- 2024, a Sole Stepper broke the 25year old State record for the U11s boys 1100m Walk, taking 7sec off the record to finish in 4:59.
- Gold, Silver and Bronze at LANSW State events
- Gold, Silver and Bronze at ANSW State Juniors
- Combined High School Champion x3, 3000m Walk
- Many Gold, Silver and Bronze: for the winter ANSW State Road Walks Championship Events: Short, Team & Long Walks.
- Coaching an 11 yr old to Silver in the Under 16s 5km State Road Long Walks Championships in 2020.
Other
– Coaching an U9 beginner to break a 26 year old 700m Walk female Club record. 4:14.
-Many Club, Zone, Region and State Records have been broken by Sole Steppers Athletes.
Our Commitment to Excellence
Coaching and Training
Our team of 2 experienced coaches work closely with athletes of all skill levels, offering small squad or 1:1 coaching, personalised training programs and mentorship to help athletes reach their full potential. We believe that with the right guidance and support in a friendly inclusive squad, our athletes will develop a joy and passion to work hard for the goals they set. We feel a fun supportive environment encourages longevity in specialised sport.
Squad Community
At Sole Steppers Race Walking, we pride ourselves on our welcoming and friendly squad community . Fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can learn, grow, and connect. We also prioritise building a strong sense of community among our squad parents, so they can support one another through the ups and downs of raising athlete children. A dedicated Squad Chat and Team App also helps streamline communication and foster ongoing support.
Cutting-Edge Fascilities
Our squad has access to a range of essential equipment and training methods designed to develop exceptional technical precision and race walking skills. From specialised drills to unique creative methods including custom made equipment that fine-tunes technique, we leave no stone unturned in helping our athletes succeed. Training takes place at top-quality facilities, including well-maintained 400m grass track fields, a world class Mondo track, and smooth undulating paths ideal for road walk preparation.
Coach Alissa
Accreditations:
Level 1 Youth Coach, Athletics
Kids’ Athletics Coach
Level 2 Development Coach
Currently studying Level 3 High Performance Coach certification
Specialist Walks Coach Accredited
Bronze Coaching Badge Accredited
Awards:
- Blacktown Council Sports Awards “Coach of the Year” Finalist 2025. 1 of 3 Finalists from 26 nominees.
- 2023/24 Local Little Athletics Club Volunteer of the Year Nominee.
- 2022/23 Local Little Athletics Club Committee Member of the year Nominee.
About Me:
- Coaching Race Walkers Since 2018. From untrained beginners to national-level 10,000m athletes, tailored coaching is available to suit every level.
- Training is delivered in small groups capped at 9 to ensure each athlete receives personalised attention and detailed feedback. Squad are arranges by skill and fitness level to maxamise session efficiency.
- Race Walk training clinics are available to athletics clubs that want to enhance their members understanding and skill of competitive walking. Instruction on Walks judging can also be provided to club officials and parents.
- Private coaching and online coaching sessions, customised training plans, as well as mentoring for emerging coaches and supportive parents, are available on request.
- Alissa’s coaching philosophy centres on technical precision from the outset, building speed, endurance and strength as athletes progress. Having personally experienced the challenges of relearning to walk in 2016, she brings a deeper understanding of neuroplasticity and technique coaching methods to her sessions. Placing a strong emphasis on developing correct neurophysical pathways to support consistent and efficient race walking technique. This is supported by a regular home routine of skill-based exercises, guided by parents, and reinforced through regular monitoring — both via video analysis and in-person assessments — with ongoing program adjustments as each athlete’s technique evolves.
- Alissa coaches with a holistic approach, addressing not just technical skills and fitness, but also the athlete’s strength, conditioning, mental wellbeing, nutrition, motivation and overall training/life load. Her goal is to nurture mental resilience, determination and self-belief — qualities that are essential for long-term success in sport and in life. Alissa also aims to cultivate a squad of athletes with exceptional sportsmanship and peer support.
- Sole Steppers is inclusive and supportive of athletes with ADD, ADHD, dislexia and mild disabilities. Every athlete is valued, and training is thoughtfully adapted to help each individual succeed at their own pace.
- Alissa provides athletes and their families with dedicated support at competitions, from Zone level through to interstate National events. Where possible, traveling with athletes to ensure they have the guidance, preparation and encouragement they need to perform at their best. This includes moral support, final pre-race day preparation, tailored warm-ups and warm-downs, and guidance throughout the competition experience.
Coach Laelia
Acreditations:
Level 1 Youth Coach, Athletics
Swim Australia Swim Instructor
First Aid
Awards:
- 2023 Local Little athletics – Club Captain
- 2023 The Hills Sports High School, Record Breaker Award for U17s 3000m Walk (still current record holder)
- 2022/23 Local Little Athletics Club ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Nominee
- 2021/22 Local Little Athletics Club ‘Athlete Volunteer of the Year’ Nominee
About Me:
- Laelia is a National level track and road race walker, racing up to the half marathon distance.
- She gained her Level 1 Coaching accreditation in 2022, spent years volunteer race walk coaching with her local Little Athletics centre and started coaching with Sole Steppers in early 2025.
- She has gained extensive experience working with children as a Swim Australia qualified Swimming instructor. Trained and equipped to confidently coach children on the spectrum and with ADD or ADHD.
- Laelia has a keen interest in sport, health and athlete development and is currently studying a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science at Uni, with the hope of becoming an Exercise Physiologist or Physiotherapist.
- Laelia currently trains as an endurance athlete and regularly competes in the 10,000m Walk at State and National level.
- She has medalled many times at the State level, placed 6th in Australia at Nationals and has medalled at the Australian Federation of Race Walk Clubs National Championships multiple times. Now racing in the Opens age catagory, she placed 4th in her debut National half marathon walk at the Australian Federation of Race Walk Clubs National Championships, qualifying for the Australian Athletics open age Half Marathon Race Walk Championships in 2027.
- Like coach Alissa, Laelia focusses on developing correct and consistent technique for her athletes.
- With a patient and understanding approach shaped by personal experience, Laelia is well-equipped to support young athletes through the many challenges of their sporting journey. From injury recovery and training adjustments to managing life balance and navigating common mental health struggles of young athletes, she provides guidance every step of the way.
Join the Sole Steppers Race Walking Community
Supernova World Race Walking Tour 2024, Bronze World level meet, AIS Canberra. Coach Laelia in blue top on the left.