Throughout many years Owen has coached SA and African Record holders in many events. Although he is well known as a sprint, hurdle and jump coach, he also coached many athletes in multi events, throws as well as long and middle distances.
He gained his vast knowledge and experience as the head coach of SA Defence Force (30 years) and head coach of the very strong Rand Afrikaans University team (18 years). Although now on pension, he still coaches at the University of Potchefstroom and runs his own club in Johannesburg.
During his sporting career Owen received provincial colours for 10 different sports and national colours in Track and Field. He also held the SA and African records for Triple Jump for 15 years and won SA titles in the decathlon. He was the national coach for Track and Field on various occasions, as well as the national coach of the first SA team which competed in the Winter Games in Lillehammer.
It is well known that Owen is an avid reader and collector of Track and Field books, which he analyses in order to develop better training programmes for his athletes.
Owen and his wife Maryna are both still very active in coaching and were seen together at the school.
He has an absolute passion for helping young athletes to develop their talents, which was clear during the coaching session at Cambridge Academy. “Do not be afraid,” he told the students as they prepared for the high jump event.
The will and courage of the athletes seemed important to Owen. Even when the bar was raised higher than what the athletes were used to, Owen showed them that nothing was impossible.
*Coach Owen is also the author of the Coaching Athletics Development books (Part 1, 2 and 3) and Coaching Athletics – The Sprints, which is worth a read for any athlete who aspires to go further.
