About Us
Hi,
Welcome to Next Gen Athletics!
My name is John Gikas. I am a 26-year-old professional Australian athlete specialising in sprints and a Level 3 Athletics Australia Performance Coach. I’m also the Head Coach and Co-Founder of Next Gen Athletics, where we are passionate about helping athletes of all levels unlock their full potential and achieve their goals.
You might be wondering, Who is the other Co-Founder of Next Gen Athletics? Well, I'd like to bring your attention to Mikayla Mestousis. Mikayla and I co-founded Next Gen Athletics in 2021, starting with nothing more than a flyer and a couple of athletes eager to improve. The picture next to this was taken on our very first day coaching together, and little did we know then that it would be the start of something special.
While we both coached together, Mikayla brought the brains and vision behind it all. She handled the administration side and everything else that made this venture possible. Her passion for coaching and her deep knowledge of sports science laid the foundation for what has become the thriving community we are today.
At the time, Mikayla was completing her Sport and Exercise Science degree at the University of Technology Sydney, and she later went on to pursue a Doctorate of Physiotherapy at Macquarie University. Mikayla's dedication to both her studies and our athletes was remarkable, and I could not have asked for a better partner in this journey.
Eventually, after Mikayla completed her studies, she began working full-time at Movement 101 Neutral Bay, where she continues to practice as a physiotherapist. With her new role, Mikayla was unable to attend training sessions as frequently, though she still finds time to join us on some afternoons because she truly loves being part of this team.
It was at that point that Mikayla passed the coaching reins to me, and I took on the responsibility of growing Next Gen Athletics to honour the work she had put into it and the athletes we had already started to help. Without Mikayla’s vision, hard work, and support, none of this would have been possible. I often joke that she is technically the real founder, but she would never take all the credit.
I’m proud of what we’ve built together, and I’m excited for what’s to come.
About Me
I grew up in the Hills District of Sydney, NSW, and attended The King’s School from kindergarten through Year 12, graduating in 2017. My passion for learning and personal growth led me to the University of New South Wales, where I completed my studies and graduated in 2022.
My journey in athletics began at age 10 when I first stepped onto the track. Before fully committing to athletics, I explored a variety of sports, including football, rugby league and union, tennis, and cricket. These experiences not only honed my athleticism but also cultivated my love for competition and teamwork.
At 16, I made the decision to focus solely on athletics, a choice that led to numerous milestones, including becoming a 3-time AAGPS champion (2015, 2016, 2017), breaking the AAGPS Open record in the 200m & 4x100m, and winning the 100m All-Schools National Championship in 2016. Representing Australia on the international stage has been a highlight of my career, with appearances from 2020-2024.
Today, I compete across all three sprint events — the 100m, 200m, and 400m — specialising in the 200m. My current athletic goals include competing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and ultimately representing my country at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Below, you’ll find a link to my World Athletics profile, showcasing my personal bests, seasonal records, and ranking progression over the years. Additionally, you can view my coaching accreditation here as well.
I began coaching sports at just 13 years old when one of my tennis coaches recognised my potential and invited me to assist with coaching younger players. That early opportunity sparked a lifelong passion for coaching, and it wasn’t long before I transitioned to athletics coaching—a field I have been deeply involved in for the past seven years.
For me, coaching is more than just a profession; it’s a way to give back to the sport that has shaped my life. My approach is rooted in the invaluable lessons I’ve learned from some of Australia’s most esteemed athletics coaches. I’ve been fortunate to train under Nancy Atterton, Ben Gavan, Penny Gillies, Andrew Murphy, all of whom are widely regarded as legends in the sport. Each of them has profoundly influenced my development as both an athlete and a coach.
Nancy instilled in me a deep respect for mastering the fundamentals, emphasising precision in every movement. During this period, I also had the privilege of being coached by Mr Gavan or ‘Gav’, whose unwavering focus on discipline taught me the dedication required to excel at the highest level. Penny’s ability to inspire confidence and build mental resilience was transformative, teaching me how to push beyond limits and embrace challenges. Under the guidance of Andrew Murphy, my current coach, I’ve further refined my craft, learning the intricacies of performance optimisation and tailored athlete programming from one of the best in the world.
Their mentorship has been instrumental not only in my achievements on the track but also in shaping the way I guide and inspire the athletes I coach today. I carry their lessons into every session, striving to provide Next Gen Athletes with the same level of expertise, support, and dedication that these incredible coaches have given me.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our journey. I look forward to helping you or your athlete reach new heights and achieve success. Together, we’ll unlock potential and build champions.
Kind regards,
John Gikas
Co-Founder & Head Coach, Next Gen Athletics
Our Coaching Team
Eleni
In 2026, Next Gen Athletics reached an exciting milestone in the evolution of our program with the addition of Eleni to our coaching team.
Eleni has been a part of the Next Gen Athletics community from almost the beginning - as you may be able to see by the images of her already on the website - training with us for many years. She has learned alongside our athletes while embracing the culture and values we stand for. She has also competed throughout her time in athletics, giving her firsthand experience across sprint, jumping, and throwing events.
Most recently, Eleni completed her Level 2 Coaching Accreditation and has stepped into an official coaching role at Next Gen Athletics. She brings a strong understanding of technique, excellent communication with athletes of all ages, and a fresh, positive energy to every session. Her perspective is grounded both in her own athletic journey and in the lessons she’s learned working with athletes in our group environment.
Eleni will be coaching group and private sessions on Saturday mornings and supporting training throughout the week. Her involvement represents a natural next step for the program - building out our coaching capability so we can continue to offer high-quality, personalised training as the number of athletes we work with grows.
We’re incredibly proud to have Eleni as part of the team. Her passion for coaching and dedication to athlete development adds another layer of expertise and support for our community - and we’re excited for all of our athletes to benefit from her guidance.