Tony is an exceptional coach with a wide set of skills. His experience across the military, elite sport and high level business uniquely equips him to understand people from all walks of life. And to tailor programmes to help them achieve their goals and be the best version of who they want to be. 

I’ve seen his results over many years and how he consistently delivers whatever the goal.

Tony Lester’s coaching philosophy emphasises discipline, resilience, and a tailored approach to training, helping athletes maximize their potential. Beyond technical skills, he focuses on the mental and emotional aspects of competing at an elite level.

As a former sprinter himself, Tony has a deep insight into the demands of the sport, which has helped him build strong, trusting relationships with his athletes. His contributions have made him a central figure in UK athletics, inspiring the next generation of talent, both here in the UK and abroad.

Has coached many medallist at major championships, which makes him truly outstanding in my opinion

My first proper encounter with Tony was at the Paris Olympics. A brief “how are you doing” turned into an inspiring yet simple conversation and brought back my spark for the sport. 

That’s where I began to think of my future. Knowing I want to do 4 more years in this sport, I have put my complete trust in Tony and I have had no reservations at all. 

His long list of accolades speak for itself having coached some of the world’s best athletes, this has allowed Tony to bring a wealth of knowledge, and expertise to every single session and is something I thrive off of.

I’ve began to believe in myself that I am capable of far more than I ever thought possible through Tony’s coaching alone. His ability to push me beyond my limits while providing guidance tailored to my unique needs has been a game-changer.

Not only does Tony have an unmatched understanding of technique and race planning, but he also knows how to motivate, inspire, and bring out the best in every athlete he coaches. 

I am super excited and honoured to spend the next few years under his guidance due to the commitment and devotion he shows to his athletes. I will continue to grow and achieve new heights in my athletic journey with the guidance of coach T.

It is a cold, grey, autumn day in 2005 at Thames Valley Athletics Stadium and I am sitting in the stands watching an athletics training session for Nicola Sanders (World indoor 400m Gold medallist, and World Outdoor 400m Silver medallist). I am discussing her running mechanics and injury history with her coach Tony Lester. After a very short period of time, we have come up with a relatively unique, and maybe controversial, strategy around her rehabilitation, strength and conditioning and track training program. 

We are going to change her event from hurdles to 400m flat. At the time, we thought just for 1 year to help her get stronger and overcome the injury issues, but by 2006 she was showing signs of excelling as the next event, and by 2007 she was a triple world medallist. 

This became the foundation and strength behind a long-lasting relationship I forged with Tony, and is testament to his ability to listen, taken on board key pieces of information, and come up with solutions for the betterment of whoever he is working with, where other coaches may have let their ego interfere and insist that Nicola stays as a 400m hurdler.

I met Tony a little over a year before that day, he was already an extremely well-established coach, having coached the likes of Mark Richardson and Roger Black to name a few, while I was relatively new to Track and Field. Despite the disproportionate levels of experience in the sport between the two of us, which meant that Tony had no reason to listen to me, a young upstart. He considered my viewpoint and engaged in a thoughtful conversation that problem solved simultaneously while delivering the session to multiple athletes. 

From this point on we have both benefitted from a 20-year working relationship and friendship. We worked together at UK Athletics for 8 years, supporting and developing the careers of athletes such as Abi Oyepitan, Mark Lewis-Francis, Marlon Devonish, and Tim Benjamin. Following our time at UKA we continued to stay in touch when Tony moved to Sky, where we again collaborated with high level Executives on health optimisation and coaching strategies to maximise productivity. 

Tony’s ability to blend his discipline and structure from his military days, through to his communication and forward planning skills from his Olympic sports days, coupled with his empathy and human understanding from surviving his own medical health scares, make him a unique person that anyone can learn from and benefit from spending time with. 

I value him as a colleague, a mentor and most importantly a friend. If you have the opportunity to spend time with him, and learn from him, I know that this can only help you on whatever journey you are on.

Tony is a very highly experienced coach of elite athletes, including Olympic and World medalists, and was until recently [the Business Performance Coach at Sky]. I am lucky to have known Tony for over 10 years as a personal trainer and coach, over which time my health, strength and fitness has improved immensely.

Maintaining fitness as work and family commitments increase is a challenge. A career in an office-based environment can be a fast-track to a sedentary lifestyle and all the associated consequences, such as weight gain, muscle weakness, bad posture and poor diet.  

In my case, a complete health and fitness programme was devised to re-build core strength, reduce body fat and increase muscle mass and aerobic fitness. It required full commitment and dedicated coaching over many months to see the initial improvements, which in turn helped to build resilience in other sports (tennis, running, cycling and skiing) and in business.  

There is always a strong emphasis on understanding the importance of correct form – once you’ve got this right, it never leaves you. Sessions are always hard work and fun, mixing-up the training so it never gets boring. Having quarterly objectives is also important to drive milestones of achievement. 

A series of stretching programmes have allowed me to progress so that I can now lift, push or press significant weight, including dead-lifting 1.85x bodyweight.

Tony has the skill, experience and proven track record to understand what it really takes for individuals to achieve at the highest levels in their chosen field, not only in sport but equally in business and in life.

“Tony is one of the most engaging and committed coaches I have ever met. His performance background gives the credibility required for coaching at an elite level. The success of his athletes speaks for itself and is a demonstration and endorsement of his expertise.”

“Tony Lester has been invaluable to me throughout my athletics career; coaching me to achieve Commonwealth Gold and Silver, Olympic Finalist, World Student Games Champion and U23 European Silver medalist. Not only has he been there through the highs of my career, but he has also seen me through the lows of which there have been many. His encouragement and unwavering belief in my ability ensured that through my long period of injury I was never isolated from the sport. From Tony, I have learnt the importance of focus, discipline and resilience and in my opinion, he is one of the finest sprint coaches in the country!”

Tony Lester’s mentorship was instrumental in navigating the intricate pathways of technology and leadership at Sky, transforming my career from an eager intern, through junior management to a Head of Department. As a coach and mentor, Tony seamlessly integrated the precision of elite sports coaching with astute business strategies, significantly shaping my journey. His ability to contextualise workplace challenges with broader life lessons provided clarity and inspired innovative solutions that propelled myself and my teams forward.

Beyond professional guidance, Tony emphasises holistic well-being, encouraging a balanced approach to health, family, and work. This holistic approach ensures that leaders succeed and sustainably thrive. His profound impact on my professional growth and his unwavering commitment to excellence and personal development make him an unparalleled asset in any professional setting.

 For those seeking to excel and lead, Tony’s mentorship is a beacon of excellence, guiding you to achieve beyond expectations. His approach is not merely about meeting targets; it is about setting new standards and redefining the essence of success.

“I have known Tony Lester for over 15 years. In that time Tony has been one of the UK’s most successful sprint coaches. Along with myself, Tony was also the coach to renowned athletes, Roger Black, Marlon Devonish, Nicola Sanders, to name but a few. Tony was my main coach for 2 years towards the end of my career and helped me win 2 major Championship medals. Tony has a great personality and brings a world of knowledge from over 20 years of coaching at the highest level. His love for the sport is obvious and his desire to help all his athletes reach their goals is the main reason he has been such a success and sought-after coach!”

On my first day in every new job, I always stop for a moment and look up at the building I’m about to enter. I take a deep breath and ask myself – how can I make a real impact here? Eleven years on almost to the day since I started at Sky, I now find myself as a Group Head and I owe a lot of this to Tony. 

Tony and I worked together since the early days of my career at Sky. He has always been a brilliant career coach – astute, approachable, and instinctive of how to get the best out of someone. He has an incredible ability to really listen and then ask you just the exact questions that you need to work through a challenge or a problem – something which has proven invaluable to me over the years. I always walk away from our conversations feeling inspired and feel that fire again to take action in whatever it is I’m trying to achieve. What I love about working with Tony is the sheer level care, commitment and dedication that he puts into everything he does. That’s not only true of his work, but of the duty of care and high respect he shows to those around him, no matter what their level. 

Over my years at Sky, I’ve been faced with some real challenges as a people manager and at times have felt at a bit of a crossroads. If I ever had a sensitive issue and I wasn’t sure quite who to reach out to, Tony not only noticed that I could do with some help and reached out to me himself but gave up time in his diary to coach me through it. He was in tune enough to notice when I really needed help. This comes very naturally to Tony. 

More specifically, I worked with Tony closer on the Stepping into Management course he designed, and I’ve never been on a course like it. It was hands down the best I’ve done during my whole career. We covered everything you would need to be a great leader – from time management, to how to public speak, negotiation skills and your personal brand. I still use each of these things to this day. The things we were taught were heavily practical, easy to remember and apply and incredibly well thought through. I still credit the course for getting me my promotion shortly after to a Group Head. 

If you ever have the chance to work with Tony, don’t hesitate. He is a unique find as a career coach and someone I will always continue to reach out to during my career. 

“I was coached by Tony Lester for just over 12 years. During that time, I enjoyed many successes in my chosen track and field discipline: sprints. I achieved the ultimate that every athlete sets out to achieve: an Olympic Gold Medal. Tony has helped me to develop and hone my skills as a World class athlete, both mentally and physically. He has helped me to understand the importance of self-belief and hard work. More significantly, he helped me to realize the values that one needs to have if one is to become a World Class Performer. It is testament to the time spent with Tony that I have managed to sustain such a long and successful career.”

“I have known Tony for several years: I brought him into Harlequins FC to oversee the speed and sprinting technique for the professional rugby players within the squad. His professionalism, knowledge and sheer enthusiasm was exceptional! We have worked on several projects since, and I regard him as a 1^st class practitioner within the field of speed. I have no hesitation in recommending Tony to anyone who has need for a professional coach, leader and world class motivator.” Dave Bell – Performance Director, Perform Advanced Strength & Sports Conditioning. (Head of S&C NEC Harlequins FC 2001-2006; Head of S&C Bristol Rugby 2006-2009)

“One of my outstanding moments as an athlete was becoming the only European athlete to have beaten Michael Johnson over 400 metres. When you consider that Michael was the world record holder for the event and was only defeated twice during a 400m career spanning over a decade, it provides some context. Tony was my coach at this point and was an integral part of my team which began in 1997. For the first two years of our partnership, Tony’s input was focused specifically around developing my speed and improving my technique. From the winter of 1998, Tony assumed overall responsibility for my coaching regime, and he remained my coach until my retirement in 2003. His dedication, passion, technical expertise and utter belief in my potential, helped me to win medals at European, Commonwealth and World Championships level.”

“When I think about Tony Lester it reminds me of one of my biggest regrets in life. You are not supposed to have regrets but a big one of mine is that I never went to his training group sooner.

The years when I was training with Tony, were fun, enjoyable, rewarding, exciting and painful.  I always knew I could achieve things because he believed in me and I believed in him.  Who knows what could have been!!!!! But I do not think that we did badly in regard to achievements.

For me Tony’s strengths are he was able to get me very fit and fast and he knows how to put a training programme together and he gives you the mental strength to perform at the highest stage! (Kuala Lumpar Commonwealth games 1998 & Sydney Olympics 2000)

You start off being coach and athlete, but you soon have a relationship where he becomes one of your dearest friends because he cares and is very passionate about what he does. Training with Tony, I was in the best shape and a regular on the Great Britain Athletics team. Tony is a very professional individual that will invest a lot of time and effort in helping you achieve your goals” 

“I have known Tony for 7 years however, he has been my coach and mentor for the last 5 years.
As a British Olympian, former Commonwealth Champion, European cup Champion and World Junior Champion, I have been able to compete at this level due to the high level of coaching from Tony.  I am a Triple Jumper who competes at the highest level and there are many components to my event, one of which is speed. I need to ensure that I have the best coach to help me improve my speed and technique. Tony was the ideal choice of coach for me due to his vast experience in sprints and the number of athletes he has turned into international sprinters.
Tony has come from military background which is evident in his extreme attention to detail, time management and exceptional organisational skills. Tony is always on time and prepared for training sessions and this professionalism has evidently rubbed off onto his athletes. His ability to motivate is evident in the results his athletes achieve. I have greatly benefitted from what I have learnt while training with Tony. Being a coach myself I now have a greater understanding of coaching sprints and how to get the best out of athletes due to Tony’s clear and precise instructions. His leadership skills are inspirational.  Over the years, not only has Tony coached me in the physiological aspects of speed, but he has also guided me as a person, and we have developed a great friendship. I see Tony as a friend as well as my coach. He has advised me on various aspects of my life including education, work and finance. Tony always takes time out to talk to me and any of his athletes if we are in need of some good advice. I wish Tony the very best of luck in the future and I am sure he will be successful in anything he puts his mind to.”

I have worked with Tony over a number of years and he is an outstanding trainer and coach. My goals have always been mental and physical strength to help me do my job well and Tony has supported and coached me to achieve more than I believed I was capable of. He understands the psychology as well as the physiology which for me has always made him stand apart. I could not recommend him highly enough.

“Undeniably one of the greatest athletics coaches the United Kingdom has produced. The long list of successful athletes and medal tally is testament enough without my observation. 

However, having known Tony for over 10 years and having trained with his direct guidance for 4 of those, I feel qualified enough to expand on the obvious and shed light on his ability to develop strengths and nurture talent. Tony is most well-known for his aptitude in strengthening and conditioning athletes and combining this with accurate and well thought out programming and competition planning.  I enjoyed training with Tony and always felt that he had a level of concern for my own progression that went beyond that of a typical athlete/coach relationship.                                                                                                                   Further to this, the group dynamic whilst training under Tony was always healthy with competition encouraged but not at the sacrifice of perfect technique. Punctuality was always a requirement and time efficiency were paramount, especially when it came to rest or recovery periods. Although there were times that I felt the sessions were extremely tough I didn’t fully understand at that moment that every session was meticulously planned to take advantage of appropriate physiological gains. Throughout my time in the UK, I can confidently say that I have not felt stronger or in better physical shape than with Tony’s programming and unique session execution.”

“Tony is a passionate coach with a brilliant personality and a hard-working attitude. I worked with Tony before the World Championships in Osaka, at the Olympic Games in Beijing and in a reconnaissance trip to look at the quality of facilities for training camps. Tony was always very professional, very organised and focused. He is highly respected by his athletes and other coaches and has clear leadership skills. Tony’s coaching abilities have produced some of the best results ever accomplished by Great Britain in athletics. I strongly recommend Tony not only on the basis of his professional expertise but also on his ability to work in a team.”

I first had the opportunity to work with Tony during my tenure at Sky when I was transitioning into management for the first time. As a mentor, Tony provided me with invaluable insights that reshaped my approach to leadership and helped me develop a structured plan to maximise my potential.

Tony has a distinctive ability to offer guidance and motivation in a way that is both impactful and inspiring. His advice is always thoughtful and constructive, and I can only speak highly of the way he delivers it.

Throughout my time at Sky, I have consistently used the mentorship and guidance I received from Tony as a benchmark for my own professional growth and leadership development.

“Tony was a key part of my training towards winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2006. He is very inspirational, has a truly fantastic work ethic and knows his subject well. He has the motivational skills to help people achieve their best possible results. Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, High Integrity.”   

“I’ve known Tony for thirty years when we both started as athletes in our military days in Germany. Tony was always a technician, and inquisitive about detail, gleaning information from coaches, books and symposiums. Tony has matured into a world class coach who takes his athletes and profession seriously. Track and Field has continued to be his life where his results have shown him to be a committed and compelling coach able to stimulate his athletes to deliver world class performance.”  

“In recent years, Tony Lester has proved to be a valuable asset to my athletics career as a coach, mentor and friend. Notably, during my Olympic preparation in 2000, what I can only describe to be a “sticky patch”, when my hurdles and sprinting were not going particularly well, Tony’s guidance enabled me to turn things around. Tony’s enthusiasm and love for the sport is evident by the way he dedicates so much of his time and energy to some of Britain’s finest athletes. For me, it is a pleasure working with someone who is honest and frank, during good and bad times and who is equally driven in the pursuit of excellence.”

“At the end of 1995, after several seasons out of the sport through injury, I decided to embark on one final comeback in time for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. I teamed up with Tony Lester and Mike Whittingham. Tony as a leading and much respected coach helped me regain my competitive fitness and make the transition from sprint hurdler to 400m hurdler. Tony not only successfully took and athlete who had been out of the sport for several years and quickly made me competitive again, he also gave me the edge to fulfill the potential I had. At the same time, he had to be conscious of the fact that I was susceptible to injury, due to my past problems, so guided me through a path of caution. Tony played an important part in helping me transform me, in a matter of months, from a novice at the event, to a place amongst the world’s top 20, culminating in reaching the Olympic semi-final!”

“The quality of work always seems to have me completely challenged, even when I think I am in pretty good shape! Tony helped with technical elements of my running to provide an extra edge to my match fitness. He has made me realize that-in terms of power and performance- there is still a lot more to come.”

“I have known Tony Lester since 1985 as a friend, training partner and coach. In 1996 I won the Olympic silver Medal for the 400m in Atlanta-I would not have achieved this without the specialist coaching input that Tony gave me between 1994 and 1998. In order to become a good coach in the world of sport you need commitment, knowledge, passion, stability and a degree of selflessness, since it is the athlete who must be the coach’s priority. Tony has all these qualities, yet he is not a good coach. In my opinion Tony Lester is an outstanding coach, since he has certain qualities that enable him to help all his athletes fulfill their potential- he is eager to learn from others; to better himself as a coach and to set new high standards for both himself and his athletes. The quality of his present training group speaks for itself. I would (and do) recommend Tony Lester to anyone who wants to run as fast as they possibly can!”

Working with Tony has completely transformed my career and taken me to a level of success I almost thought was unreachable. Before working with him, I was stagnant in my performance, but within a remarkably short time, Tony helped me improve my 400m time from 50.8 to 49.8 — a full second that took me to world- class level. 

This leap forward took far more than just traditional coaching; it required Tony’s exceptional ability to understand each athlete’s unique needs and strengths. Tony fosters an environment that is both challenging and deeply motivating. He creates a space where athletes are inspired to dream big and push their limits while developing resilience and confidence. His coaching style is simple yet effective.

 Rather than overcomplicating things, he focuses on building strength, increasing work capacity, and maximizing individual strengths. In the often overwhelming and intricate world of high-performance sport, Tony has a gift for breaking down complex training strategies into clear, actionable steps. I always knew not only what I was working on but why it mattered, which made each practice session feel purposeful and progressive.

 What truly sets Tony apart is his genuine investment in his athletes. He’s more than just a coach; he’s a mentor who is genuinely committed to his athletes’ long-term growth and success. He’s never afraid of hard work, and he encourages everyone he works with to pursue their goals with vision. Tony doesn’t just train athletes; he instils in them the confidence to redefine their own limits and set even higher ambitions.

I am incredibly grateful to be under his guidance, and I’m proud of the progress I’ve made with him by my side. Tony’s impact on my career—and on me as an individual—has been profound, and I have no doubt that he’s the reason I’m now able to call myself a world-class athlete.

“Tony is one of the most diligent people I’ve ever met. He brings and inspires the invaluable ethics of determination, focus, hard work and courage. Working with Tony allowed me to feed off his “never surrender” mentality and drive my career with confidence and strength. I can’t recommend Tony highly enough; the mental strengths he helps to instill are vital to success in any arena that involves performance, be it sports or business and he contributed these skills to the careers of athletics who achieved far higher in their fields than most of us hope for.”   

I truly admire Tony’s unique approach to training and season planning. I was accustomed to long, slow reps during winter workouts, but Tony’s philosophy is refreshingly different. His sessions are intense, fast pace and sharply focused on what we’re really training for – sprinting. This approach resonated with me immediately; it felt right and made complete sense to me. Even though the workouts were demanding, I’ve never pushed myself harder, and I’ve never felt stronger, more confident and in better shape in my life.

Before working with Tony, I struggled with a string of injuries that held me back for years. But in the time we’ve trained together, I’ve only had one minor setback, and I’ve been able to train harder and with more intensity than ever before. Tony has an incredible instinct for recognizing the fine line between pushing past your limits and knowing when to hold back for recovery.

Beyond his expertise as a coach, Tony has a fantastic personality. He’s funny, quick to laugh, and full of captivating stories from his life. He’s experienced so much that it feels like he’s lived multiple lifetimes. His tales are varied and give insight into someone who’s both been through and achieved a lot – they often remind me just how much wisdom and experience he carries with him.

He’s taught me to challenge my own boundaries, telling me during a tough session; “It’s only in your head that you’re tired. Don’t give up – keep pushing.” These words became a powerful mantra, driving me through sessions I once doubted I could complete.

Tony has my highest and warmest recommendation. His dedication, expertise, and unique approach to training have been transformative for me, not only in terms of physical performance but also in mindset and resilience. His encouragement and guidance have made a profound impact, and I truly believe anyone who has the opportunity to train with him will gain a coach and mentor who brings out their absolute best.

I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the past two years. Working with Tony as my coach has been an incredible journey, and I am truly thankful for his unwavering dedication, expertise, and support. From the beginning, we set our sights high, aiming to become some of the best in the world, and his belief in me has pushed me to grow and strive for excellence every single day.

And even though I have been injured most of the time with him I still believe that he as a person and coach got me way further than I could have come with many others. Going forward I think we can achieve great things.  

What I value most is that I can go to him with anything, knowing  that he  will listen with respect and understanding. Even when our opinions might differ, he’ll  always take my thoughts seriously and make me feel heard. This trust is something rare and precious, and it has only deepened my confidence in him as both a coach and a person.

I trust Tony completely, and I know that his guidance is leading us toward something extraordinary. He’s not just a great coach; he is a truly good person, and that makes all the difference. Next year, I am confident it will be a breakthrough year for us as a team, and I look forward to facing the challenges ahead with him by my side.

He pushes me to the limits and knows when to hold back.

He is the coach I waited for all those years. Thank you for being exactly who you are and for pushing me to become the best version of myself in sprinting and beyond.

I met Tony through the Sky Sports Scholarship Programme. Whilst I was a part of the four-year scholarship, Tony was a brilliant mentor, and he was an instrumental figure in my journey to the Olympic Podium. 

Tony was always there to provide advice and support every step of the way, and helped me to navigate challenges that I came up against. He went above and beyond to ensure that all the athletes on the programme had what they needed to reach their goals, and was committed to providing the highest level of coaching and guidance to all the scholars. Tony’s mentorship during this four year period was invaluable- he helped me to gain confidence, overcome set backs, and take ownership of my athletic career and performance at such a pivotal time. 

Tony’s support went further than just sports performance- he took a holistic approach for each athlete, and facilitated extra support, which for me, involved work experience and media training. This allowed me to develop skills which undoubtedly helped me to succeed in other areas outside of sport.

Even after the Scholarship scheme came to and end and I retired from professional sport, Tony continued to be a mentor to me. He has helped my transition into a new career by introducing me to people within his network, and by sharing the insight that he has gained from his many years of experience in sport and the business world. I am grateful to know Tony and feel lucky to have been able to work with him for many years. 

I have known Tony through athletics and sport for over twenty years.  His ‘no- nonsense’ approach is a breath of fresh air to the more recent era of quick fixes and entitlement!  I highly recommend this engaging presenter to any organisation, as Tony is a resource of knowledge, experience, expertise and wisdom.

Tony Lester has been an outstanding coach and mentor these past 2 years. His expertise and dedication have played a key role in my progress as an athlete. This season, I achieved a personal milestone by running 10.1 seconds three times in just three days, a level of consistency I’m incredibly proud of.

Tony’s impact goes far beyond the track. He has helped me overcome significant struggles, both physically and mentally. Whether I’ve been dealing with injuries or battling self-doubt, Tony has always been there with the right advice, encouragement, and training plans to get me back on track.

His belief in my potential has been a constant source of motivation, and his ability to push me while also understanding my limits is truly remarkable. With Tony’s guidance, I’ve not only become a better sprinter but also a more resilient person. I’m incredibly grateful to have him as my coach. 

What sets Tony apart is his ambition – not just for himself but for every athlete he coaches. He has big goals and a clear vision for our development, which we all find incredibly motivating. His drive inspires us to push our limits and believe in our potential, knowing that he’s fully invested in helping us achieve great things.

Tony has asked me to provide an open reference on his work. I am very happy to write on his behalf.

I initially worked with Tony as sport psychologist to his strong “stable” of athletes. I was immediately impressed by his ambition, his commitment and work ethic, his breadth and depth of knowledge and his high personal standards. Tony’s results speak for themselves; he has consistently been amongst our most effective and influential coaches, enjoying a well-earned worldwide reputation.

In 2005, I became Performance Director of UK Athletics and, effectively, Tony’s line manager. He was always supportive and loyal, taking on extra tasks with a willing smile. Additionally, however, his professional manner enables a “critical friend” relationship, with Tony providing insightful questioning of new initiatives whilst always maintaining a supportive public stance. I valued this ability highly; an effective and high-status individual who is willing to ask questions, even argue in private, whilst staying a central part of the Team. Since leaving the post, I have continued to follow Tony’s progress with interest, noting the ongoing contributions which he makes to the sport.

In summary, I am happy to recommend Tony as a man of high standards and flexible aptitude; a man who could make a positive contribution to a wide range of performance-oriented environments.

I have known Tony Lester for fifteen years. As the Performance Director for UK Athletics during the period 1997-2005 I employed Tony as both a Performance Coach and Regional Coaching Manager. He was selected for both posts for his record of coaching achievement and his ability to organize and manage.

As a coach, he was regarding by his peer group as world class and his record of producing Olympic athletes is outstanding. As a coach he always conducted himself with integrity in his coaching and was always willing to mentor fellow coaches. As an employee, I always found Tony to be loyal and trustworthy and very well organized. He was a popular member of the UK Athletics staff and had excellent people skills. In the role of Team Coach, he always gave excellent service to athletes in stressful major games environments.

Tony continues to produce world class athletes and is a valuable asset for British Athletics. 

Training with Tony over the past two seasons has been essential towards realizing my dreams and finding my potential on the track. Having had Tony as my coach over the past two years has been characterized by a strong sense of teamwork, mutual respect, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Tony has an exceptional ability to bring people together and create a positive, high- performance environment that empowers each of us to perform at our best, allowing us to understand that we can be better than we thought was possible. Working with Tony, I’ve felt part of a supportive and ambitious team, where each athlete’s individual goals are respected, yet we work collectively toward success.

Tony strongly believes in the importance of team dynamics. He encourages us, the athletes in the training group, to push and support each other, creating an atmosphere where we can draw motivation from our teammates each day. The focus on team dynamics has not only helped me stay driven but has also fostered a camaraderie that makes training both challenging and enjoyable.

One of Tony’s greatest strengths is his skill in managing different personalities within the group. He understands that each athlete has their own approach and tries to bring out the best in each of us. This flexibility has allowed me to feel understood and supported, knowing that Tony takes the time to tailor his methods to my strengths and needs. Even when we’ve faced challenges or had disagreements, there has always been mutual respect and an openness to communicate. We have always found a productive way to move forward. He encourages honest conversations, ensuring we stay focused on our goals while respecting each other’s perspectives.

And when it comes to the finer details of sprinting such as biomechanics, periodized programming, reacting to unforeseen circumstances, and the entire sports science area of coaching the sprints, I highly doubt that you’ll find anyone who is better suited to coach high-level athletes than Tony. Working with Tony has been great for my career, and I’m sure others will find the same inspiration and commitment that I’ve been fortunate to receive.

I had the privilege of working closely with Tony for five transformative years, and his mentorship has been pivotal in shaping the athlete and person I am today.

When we first met, I was a shy 17-year-old who thought I was already doing everything I could to reach my potential. But Tony showed me how much more was possible. He introduced me to new ways of pushing beyond limits, helping me squeeze out those crucial extra 1% gains from my mind, body, and performance, and challenging me to become more present and intentional in my training and competition.

As the leader of the Sky Scholarship Programme, Tony was dedicated to helping a select group of athletes reach their fullest potential, with many aiming for the Olympic stage. I was incredibly fortunate to have him as my sports mentor. Our regular calls became essential checkpoints, where he guided me not only through the triumphs but also through the setbacks. Tony taught me how to navigate both with resilience and grace.

With his background in elite sports and his deep understanding of what it takes to succeed, Tony and I worked closely to push my boundaries. From media training to handling intense pressure, his mentorship was a constant source of strength and confidence. I truly believe his guidance played a key role in helping me become the World Champion in 2019.

Tony is not just a phenomenal mentor but a remarkable person who gives his all to those he supports. Even after the scholarship programme ended, he stayed in touch and has continued to be there for me both as a mentor and as a friend. It’s an honour to have him in my corner, and I am endlessly grateful for his belief in me and his unwavering support.

I have known Tony both personally and professionally for well over a decade and primarily in two forms – as an elite coach to many of Great Britain’s best athletes, and as a mentor and programme leader at Sky Sports to me and a dozen of Great Britain’s top Olympians from many diverse sports.

At the beginning of my international career, I was only an observer to Tony’s elite coaching as a member of Team GB, but what I can attest to were the standards, professionalism and work ethic that radiated from every member of his group and shone as an example for the rest of the team, and particularly to developing athletes such as myself. This level of team cohesion and the shared commitment to reaching the highest levels attainable reflects not only Tony’s leadership but also his aspirations and values. Tony sets his standards to succeed on the world-stage, and his vision for every athlete is to compare themselves with their peers globally. He encourages his athletes to think bigger and then gives them the resources and coaching to achieve this.

When I was a member of the Sky Scholarships programme, Tony acted as a mentor and programme leader to me for 4 years between 2017-2021. This period represented an entire Olympic cycle where I prepared for the Tokyo Olympic Games and included several highs and lows which included becoming World Indoor Champion, a major coaching change and international relocation, several major injuries, winning on the Diamond League circuit, managing the Covid-19 pandemic, and ultimately making the Olympic final in the 110m Hurdles. This was a hugely formative period with highly diverse challenges, and I consistently benefitted from Tony’s expertise and experience when navigating these varied trials. 

Tony’s guidance and input took many adaptable forms but always stayed true to the values of performance and honesty. He was always available whether by phone or in person and always listened diligently to give considered thoughtful feedback. Tony also took the time to visit my training and learn about my team and environment to build a fuller picture when offering advice to ensure it was tailored to the needs that I had. In addition, Tony helped me to manage all opportunities that the scholarships programme with Sky offered, showing care for me as a person beyond my sport in utilising work experience within their business units. 

There are many external pressures that affect an elite athlete’s career and ultimately influence performance on the track. Tony’s unique experience of elite sport from both the performance coaching and the commercial business aspects allow him to understand the modern elite athlete and help them to consistently optimise performance and grow their aspirations on the World’s biggest stages. 

“I have worked with Tony as my coach for 7 years and over that time I have come to know him well and we have a very productive working relationship. When I joined Tony’s group in autumn 2004 my career took off! I have made every major championship since 2005; have won 2 world championship bronze relay medals and an individual 400m world silver medal; I also became European indoor champion in 2007, setting the British and Commonwealth record in the process. Tony and I enjoy a great athlete/coach relationship. He knows my strengths and weaknesses and knows exactly how to get the best out of me; when to push and when to ease off. I believe it is his self-belief in my ability and expectation of my achievements that play a huge role in why I have had such a successful international career, to date. I have had many ups and downs in my career and Tony has been there by my side through them all. He shared the joy when I succeeded and more importantly, he was right by my side when I was injured, or things did not quite go to plan. He focuses on my best interests; is always there to encourage when appropriate and also knows the right things to say to get me focused if I get distracted. Tony is an extremely talented and knowledgeable coach who will go above and beyond for his athletes. It is safe to say that I would not have had the career I have so far had, if it were not for Tony and I trust his decisions as a coach wholeheartedly.”