“The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer.”
Mia Croker certainly is a doer! We love supporting budding female entrepreneurs and when Mia reached out to IMPI Sportswear, we were delighted to be able to help. Mia Croker launched the MWC /IMPI Sportswear running clinics in her hometown of Narrabri in rural New South Wales during the school holidays.
Coming from a small country town and living on a farm for most of her youth, Mia trained on her own until she started boarding school for high school. Mia currently makes use of modern technology and enjoys online coaching with Jack Mcphee from Sydney Athletics Academy.
Knowing how hard it was as a young athlete to find a coach and training opportunities in Narrabri, 14 year old Mia decided to take things into her own hands. With the help of IMPI Sportswear, Mia launched MWC holiday running clinics for the budding young athletes in Narrabri!!
What started as a vague thought in Mia’s mind, started crystallising into a firm plan. According to Mia, Narrabri does not have a lot on offer when it comes to coaching and training facilities for younger kids. With most athletics carnivals coming up this term Mia thought it would be a great opportunity to put her idea into action and help young athletes learn better skills and habits to improve performance.
Mia designed and printed flyers advertising her running clinics and much to her delight, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Parents in Narrabri were very excited for their children to be coached by Mia, who is a such a positive role model for their children. With over 30 children signed up, it was time for Mia to design the holiday program and create some IMPI fun for the kids.
“Narrabri has a lot of young talented athletes who don't get the opportunity to train and race” says Mia. “Personally, I didn't start training properly until I was in high school and went away to boarding school. I used to run a 3km loop then jump back in the car without stretching or warming down only to be sore the next day. I think the kids in Narrabri need that opportunity to learn properly.”
Mia loves teaching kids to run and most importantly she loves inspiring them and watching them learn to love running like she does. Closer to home, Mia’s brother never used to like running, but through Mia’s coaching and influence he now loves it and trains every day.
Small steps lead to big changes, and we look forward to hearing more about the Mia's holiday running clinics.
Learn more about budding entrepreneur and running enthusiast Mia Croker in our latest blog…
How and why did you start running?
I think I really started loving it when I won my school cross country with a broken arm but, I didn't really start training until I was about 9 years old.
Do you have a favourite distance?
At the moment I love the 800m but also really love 5km
What is your favourite training session?
My favourite training season would have to be 400m - 800m reps
What is the most challenging event you have competed in?
Probably my 1500m in Sydney when I was 12. It was my first-time racing in a 1500m and I had made it through the finals in 5 other events. I was broken by the time the 1500m came round. It was just a very tough race.
What are your goals for the 2021/2022 season?
My Goals for the 2021/2022 season are to get more kids into running and to break as many PBs as possible!!
What keeps you motivated?
Something that keeps me motivated is when I can see improvement through PBs and also in the races when I just dig deep and keep going.
What is your favourite post-race meal?
Chicken Schnitzel
What is your favourite post-race workout?
Stretching and rolling
What advice would you give to another teenager who is thinking about starting to run?
Join a club or a team or just do a fun run, go to your local parkrun and once you start running you will never look back.
Do you play any other sport?
Yes- Netball, Cricket, Triathlon, Touch football and also love water skiing and barefooting.
Who inspires you on Instagram?
Jessica Hull inspires me because of how determined she is.
Who is an athlete you admire and why?
An athlete that inspires me would have to be my godmother Nicko Siddons. She's 45 and still runs an 18min for 5km. She is so gracious in all her achievements and is a great sports woman.
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