Rosemary Coleman

Athletics coach and inclusion champion

2025 TAS Senior Australian of the Year Nominee

Rosemary Coleman has dedicated much of her life to young people through her involvement in education and sport. Most recently, she has brought her talent for coaching to Para athletics, and is deeply committed to improving inclusion in sport and broader society. 

Formerly a paediatric nurse, Rosemary went on to become a teacher’s assistant at St Virgil’s college where she worked with students with intellectual and learning disabilities.  

She soon became the school’s athletics coach and a prominent coach of young Tasmanian athletes at the local, state, national and international levels as well as training new coaches.  

Rosemary is now retired but still coaching and still an officiator and administrator of athletics, having held positions such as manager, secretary, president and committee member across multiple athletics clubs and organisations. She has changed the lives of countless young athletes, supporting them to fulfil their potential and encouraging their belief in themselves.