In the days before Tasmania produced enough female track cyclists to win Australian team pursuit titles, there was just one steering a lonely path around the Silverdome.
A generation later Belinda Goss is back in the same building tasked with unearthing the next Amy Cure, Georgia Baker, Lauren Perry or Macey Stewart.
"It is quite surreal walking back in these doors as a coach having grown up here. It's been a big part of my life," said the Devonport-born Tasmanian trail-blazer who won three world championship scratch race bronze medals and represented Australia at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
"Having started as a teenager not having known cycling through any family involvement and having to learn it from scratch, I got a lot of guidance from the TIS in the early days and if I can replicate that it would be good.
"I'm really excited about taking on the role. Coaching is something I've done since I retired and it's great to be back here because there is a lot of untapped talent in Tasmania."
Originally from Acacia Hills, Goss retired from cycling in 2012 and has since been coaching in Victoria.
It is quite surreal walking back in these doors as a coach having grown up here
- Belinda Goss
She returned to Tasmania a year ago with husband Craig Notman, who is the Tasmanian Devils football manager, and they have set up home in Launceston with their children Ollie, 3, and Ivy, 1.
Head cycling coach Matthew Gilmore said the TIS is delighted with the appointment and has set a goal of 10 new track cycling products in the next 18 months.
"We had some really good applicants but Belinda's experience, enthusiasm and passion for Tasmania really shone through. I can see her having a real impact in the role," he said.
"She brings a wealth of experience as a former athlete to teach young riders the technical and tactical side of track cycling and also brings experience from her time coaching in Victoria.
"She developed a schools program and went to junior world track championships as an Australian coach so has international experience as a rider and coach."
Goss said Tasmania is blessed to have the Silverdome facility and echoed the words of road riders like Richie Porte, Matthew Goss and Wes Sulzberger about why the state produces so many cyclists.
"Tasmanian roads are tough," she said. "You've got to love what you're doing because it's so hard to get out and train throughout the year but really we've got everything. It's a perfect training ground for success."
Rob Shaw
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
