BHAC coach to continue producing cream of the crop
He has developed 22 Springbok athletes
Benoni High Athletics Club (BHAC) coach, Glen van der Westhuizen has done a stellar job in producing well-rounded athletes that have made a name for themselves on the local and international circuits.
A runner himself, he founded the club in 2007. Through his methods, his students instantly hit the high notes and became some of the most sought-after athletes in the region.
Among his alumni are local champions Casey Bosman, Jessica Bezuidenhout and Robyn Kaltenbrunn who have obtained a combined eight national titles.
We sat in his office at Benoni High. His wall is adorned with a gallery of photos of his past and present athletes – from his son, Peter who ran 11 sub4 minute milers to cross-country sensation Bosman.
A track and field, trail and road running expert, the Killer Coach, as he is known, boasts athletes capable of producing magic in any of these disciplines.
“I train them to be athletes. Training for the road makes you strong and tough. If you train for cross-country, you become strong and training for the track makes you faster.
“I use all three as tools to develop the athlete to become a unique and complete being.”
The Benoni High deputy principal credits his success to his long-term athlete development approach.
“Because I coach athletes from a young age, I see a success rate once they become seniors. If they get national colours before that time, I don’t see it much as a success rather than a young athlete being developed to become a successful senior athlete.”
His approach to development puts the athlete at the forefront.
“All athletes have potential. I develop them into the best that they can become. Not what I or their parents want. I don’t matter. The parent doesn’t matter. The athlete matters.
“Nobody knows I have developed 22 Springbok athletes and I don’t care. The athletes matter,” he said.
Despite the success, the BHAC has, over the years, experienced an exodus of runners who sought greener pastures elsewhere. Many might see this as a regression but Van der Westhuizen sees it as progress.
“I have been part of their development. I will never stand in their way. I will allow and even promote them to go to a club that has resources.
“As a result, that will contribute to the development of the athlete and the development of athletics in South Africa.”
He holds a level three national coaching qualification and is also the ASA excellence advisor. His club is still going strong today.
The onus is now on young athletes like Kaitlyn MacKay, Kevin Hickley and Rhys Connor Sawyer to carry the baton and follow in the footsteps of club stalwarts Kate van Jaarsveld, Kaltenbrunn and Bosman.
“It’s a long and eventful road in producing top-class athletes,” Van der Westhuizen concluded.
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