I would like to congratulate my constituent, Hans Tiller for his lifetime dedication to the development of athletes in the Hunter.

Hans got into running while living in a migrant hostel in Matraville after arriving in Sydney in 1957. While trying his hand at water polo and swimming in the 1960s, he realised his passion was running in particular long distance running.

Hans competed as a runner at an elite year for a number of years, however a knee injury forced him to cease running. Not wanting to relinquish his involvement in the sport, he took up a coaching role.

The first boy he coached improved so significantly that he won the NSW

Under 15s 800 metre race. Hans went on to coach runners to successful State and Australian titles.

As well as coaching, Hans has taken on a number of administrative roles at his clubs over the years, including club captain, secretary, vice president and president.

Hans said the most enjoyable aspects of his time with athletics were coaching his athletes to improve and achieve results to the best of their ability as well as helping them to enjoy the sport.

Hans has recently begun coaching athletes in orienteering and triathlons with one of his orienteers representing Australia as a junior in Italy earlier this year.

Well done Hans and please keep up your amazing work with our young athletes in the Hunter.