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Mat Cocking | S&C Coach

@mc_athleticdevelopment

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Athletic Development @stgeorgechristian
Senior S&C Intern @nswwaratahs
M. App Sport Science | ASCA L2 S&C
B. Education | AA L2 Run Coach

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The most asked question I receive when working with youth athletes.

Strength training has so many wonderful benefits for young athletes and shouldn’t be neglected.

Hope this is helpful.

- Mat by @mc_athleticdevelopment

A little about my journey so far…

2010-2020: Lots of incredible ‘mountain-top’ experiences alongside many amazing people, mixed with a ton of dark ‘valley’ moments. This season truly transformed my life and shaped me into the person, teacher and coach I am today.

2020-2026: Where all the hard work slowly started to pay off. Surround yourself with good people who champion you to be better. You only get one body on this earth! Learn to love it, take care of it, challenge it and enjoy the epic adventures along the way. Also, never take for granted the privilege it is to be able to learn, and my goal is to never stop learning!

Grateful for my trade background, which led me into teaching, before providing me with the foundation to further develop my passion for coaching. I absolutely love being able to work with high school students every day, through to aspiring athletes. Sport teaches us so many wonderful life lessons; resilience, determination, discipline, failures and how to ultimately overcome adversity.

Away from all of this, it’s been a busy past month with something exciting happening behind the scenes. I’ve been given the amazing opportunity to work closely with someone who shares my same passion and visions; to pursue something we’ve both dreamed of creating. by @mc_athleticdevelopment

Always a proud moment as a school S&C coach getting to watch your former student athletes chasing their dreams on the state and national stage 🥺

@dan_beyner7 in action today at Brighton on the next leg of the NSW State Beach Volleyball tour. Dan also heads to Norway next month as part of a junior AUS national training camp!

Big things ahead legend 🙏

- Mat by @mc_athleticdevelopment

A big 2026 for this guy @mitch_cugley 🤝

Sunday marked half ironman race #2 for the year @ironmanportmacquarie, backing up after a short recovery from running his first marathon @sydney_marathon.

Ticking off a home World Major on debut…..doesn’t get much better than that!

While juggling the demands of full time work as a builder, Mitch continues to chase his endurance goals, always putting in the hard yards before and after long days on the tools.

Working with people like Mitch is an absolute privilege. The dedication, consistency and commitment speak for themselves.

Can’t wait to see what’s next!

2027 🚀

- Mat by @mc_athleticdevelopment

As @bradstulberg and @stevemagness put it, “It takes guts to step into the arena” and “Caring deeply is cool”.

I’ve known @iamjeffdavis for 7 years and have had the absolute privilege of doing his S&C programming over the past 6 months, as he’s continued working with the great @hptcoachpete to chase the dream ticket to Kona World Ironman Championship.

We’ve focused on establishing strength work as a consistent, non-negotiable part of his weekly training schedule to help ensure he can withstand the demands of gruelling Ironman training.

Last Sunday @ironmanportmacquarie marked Ironman finish #11 for Jeff. He continues to amaze me with how he juggles so many high- pressure roles while still showing up every day to put in the work to chase his crazy dreams.

Ironman races are brutal! 3.8km swim. 180km bike. 42.2km run.

Although we didn’t get the result we’d dreamed of this year, one thing I know for sure about Jeff is that he won’t let this stop him.

We’ll be back!

“Caring is cool. Always has been”

- Mat by @mc_athleticdevelopment

As an endurance athlete, S&C training shouldn’t be feared or neglected. The reality is, it’s usually the first thing to get dropped in an athlete’s week. When in fact, it should be the complete opposite. Strength training is a POD and is extremely underrated!

Research consistently highlights the importance of runners, cyclists and triathletes incorporating strength training into their weekly routines.

@sammmy_t and @jrevell91 have embraced this over the past few months, quietly putting in the work when no one’s watching, building strength and resilience to better handle the demands of their sport.

Sammy wrapped up another epic racing season with a solid result at the Melbourne Marathon over the weekend, backing up post Ironman Cairns in June. We’re excited for what’s next.

Josh is now in the final strength block of his Kosci 100miler prep, taking on pacing duties for Sammy in Melbourne on Sunday. We’re looking forward to keeping him strong and out on the trails, putting in the last hard yards ahead of race day in 7 weeks!

Cheering you guys on!

- Mat by @mc_athleticdevelopment

🎓 Master of Applied Sport Science

Today was special. A huge thank you to those who played a big part in my journey to reach this goal.

@humanperformancetc @nswwaratahs - for all your support in giving me the opportunity to complete my Master’s S&C internship with the club 🔵⚪️

@youthsportexpert - for your investment and encouragement in my S&C and athletic development pursuit 🤝

@em.wi1son @spenni__ - for your time and support over the years in the S&C process 🙌

@stevemoosemoore @troy.dixon76 @stgeorgechristian - for backing my dream to establish an athletic development program, to better support the next generation of youth 🙏 by @mc_athleticdevelopment

Came for experience, left with lifelong mates and memories 💙 by @mc_athleticdevelopment

It’s been a big start to 2026. Constantly learning and looking for ways to improve myself, as both a person, and coach.

Grateful to those who’ve supported me along the way, and to the athletes who trust me with the opportunity to coach them.

Finished Masters ✅
3 months full-time S&C internship @nswwaratahs ✅
Ongoing game day experience & PD with the club ✅
Continued Athletic Development progressions @stgeorgechristian ✅
Growth in endurance athlete coaching ✅ by @mc_athleticdevelopment

So very proud of @emilywyer on running her first marathon today in a time of 3:57.

After making the scary, yet super exciting decision to open @empowerphysiorehab late last year, we were left with a shorter than ideal marathon build leading into the race. BUT, she executed the training over the past 3 months so incredibly well and it paid off out on course today.

Exciting things ahead. One happy coach 😊 by @mc_athleticdevelopment

This legend @haydenjscott14 ran an awesome 1:33 half marathon yesterday at 2XU Wellness Melbourne, to come away with a lovely new PB! Despite juggling the challenges of elite sport and travel, his consistency and progress over the past 6 months has been awesome to witness.

Very proud coach! by @mc_athleticdevelopment

Big year for this legend @troy.dixon76

Set himself some big goals in 2026, ultimately, to finish it off by running the Melbourne Marathon. A massive 12mins PB on last year’s time, along with improving his 10km and Half times in the lead up. Committed to the process over the past 12 months and the consistency in his training has paid off. He’s an inspiration in never putting an age limit to what you want to achieve!

Congrats mate 👏💪 by @mc_athleticdevelopment