A member of South Bendigo Athletics Club, Pickthall’s primary focus will be the development of coaches in Little Athletics.

Athletics Bendigo general manager Craig Green said Pickthall will also seek feedback from more experienced coaches at club level and Little Athletics to assist the sport’s development across the region.

“Josh will help existing coaches have the resources to be able to assist athletes to have fun and develop their skills,” Green said.

“Local coaches will not be reporting to Josh.

“The four senior clubs will organise the requirements of their coaching for their clubs.

“The union of Bendigo Little Athletics and Bendigo Region Athletics under the Athletics Bendigo banner will strengthen ties and club coaches will be able to give insight of skill gaps of athletes coming through the ranks.”

For several years, coaches such as Garnet Rodda, Wolf Heiden and others have helped coach Little Athletes at Wednesday night sessions at the Flora Hill track and field complex.

“We hope nothing changes, except that with Josh we can advertise these sessions more,” said Green.

“Subsequently Josh can develop further people by organising coaching courses and the like to have more coaching resources to assist our current coaches and support them when needed and requested.”

Pickthall’s score of 6115 points in the decathlon at Flora Hill in 2009 is a Bendigo record.