Dan Suchy
BY CHRIS BOULOUSIT'S such a different world to the one when St Johns Park resident Dan Suchy started teaching at Westfields Sports High in 1976. However, some things don't change - such is life, such is Dan Suchy. The father of Westfield's track-and-field has been churning out champions in the same fashion since he began three decades ago. His secret is hard work, dedication and commitment. 
Dani Samuels
Such simple philosophies for the man more commonly known as ``Such''. ``It's always been the same we don't collect champions, we produce
champions, and that requires a lot of hard work,'' he said.
``I'm due to retire in about six years but I think they're going to have to drag me out of this place. It's my second family.'' Since Mr Suchy established Westfields Athletics Club in 1990, his athletes have won more than 300 individual national medals, including 20 national records. So it was fitting that at last week's Wetherill Park Rotary Club meeting the 
Fabrice Lapierre
driving force behind Australia's first sports high school took
his place at the top of the podium when he won the Pride of Workmanship award.
``It was a complete secret. It's an honour to receive the award. ``However, I'm incredibly lucky to get great satisfaction out of my job in seeing athletes work very hard to achieve their goals. It inspires me to keep working hard.'' Westfield High School deputy principal Helen Wilson said Mr Suchy exemplified great ``pride in workmanship''. ``Dan's always been an unselfish and generous 
John Thornell
person, teacher and coach,'' she said. ``He's highly respected by coaches,
administrators, parents, colleagues and, importantly, the athletes.
``In addition, Dan's energy has provided opportunities for athletes to travel to many parts of Australia and the world.'' That was the case for Dani Samuels who recently won gold at the World Championships for discus in Berlin. Her victory left Mr Suchy with one final goal: an Olympic gold medal. ``And that's definitely in the pipeline. We started with only 15 athletes and now we have 110 it's a lesson that anything's possible with a lot of hard work and dedication.''  |
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