Belarusian trampolining coach has goals for Cessnock PCYC

Dzmitry Shostau has been coaching at the centre for the past year, having competed for his native country Belarus for several years in the sport of trampolining.

Shostau, 29, has won several Belarusian national titles, has achieved a silver medal at the European Championships and has competed at world titles.

He started out in the sport in 1994 (aged seven) after seeing a TV advertisement about a coach who had achieved success at the Trampoline World Championships and soon found a passion for trampolining.

“[I love] the freedom, it’s like flying,” he said.

“It’s like jumping with a parachute but much cheaper.”

He became a coach at the age of 18, and three years ago received an offer from the Great Moscow Circus to come to Australia and travel with them as a trampolinist.

Shostau travelled with the circus for two years, but said the environment did create limitations for him.

“You can’t develop yourself there,” he said.

“In sports there’s [sic] no limits.”

He then saw an advertisement for a trampolining coach at Cessnock PCYC, and settled in the area despite what others told him.

“People said ‘bad choice’ [about Cessnock],” he said.

“For me it’s really quiet, when I meet people here in Cessnock people smile.

“I love little towns, I love the people here.”

In the past year, he has coached athletes to national championships, and hopes to eventually coach them to Olympic Games.

But for Shostau it is more about growing the athletes into good people and teaching them manners and behaviour than winning medals.

“To be a part of their life and teach them absolutely everything is possible,” he said.

And the kids are educating him as well, with Shostau teaching himself English from movies and music, he said the kids help him with his words.

“Some things are hard to explain but it is much easier now that it was one year ago,” he said.

Shostau said he would like to see Cessnock PCYC become a national base for trampolining, as the centre is a great facility with high ceilings and lots of space.

“For Cessnock to have a gym like this, you are lucky,” he said.

And although he is a self-described “evil coach,” his athletes say he just wants the best for them.

“He just wants us to train hard so we can succeed,” Anika Rendoth said.

“He can be a clown.”

Rendoth was crowned Australian under-11 women’s trampoline champion last year under Shostau’s tutelage, while fellow Cessnock club members Isla Barr, Mali Barr and Jack Allen picked up medals at state level.

Cessnock PCYC gym sports coaching coordinator Garth Eveleigh said it is a great opportunity to have someone of Shostau’s calibre at the centre.

“He’s brought his worldly experiences to the club,” he said.

“He’s a great bloke, he has great morals and standards and great skills to take the kids to another level.”

The club is accepting new trampolinists, with trampolining fun starting at age five. For more information contact the PCYC on 4991 1407.