About Us
The story of a coach, a dream, and hundreds of athletes who dared to fly.
Born From a Silver Medal Dream
In 2005, something extraordinary happened in Melbourne, Australia. Gerard Mark Wilcox — a young Indian athlete with hearing impairment — soared over the bar to claim a Silver Medal in Pole Vault at the Deaf Olympics. For his father, Chief Coach Don Wilcox, that moment was not the end of a journey. It was the beginning of one.
Fuelled by that moment of pride and a lifelong passion for athletics, Don Wilcox returned to Chennai and founded Don's Pole Vault Academy — with a singular mission: to find the most talented young athletes from India's rural communities, those who could never afford coaching, and give them the same world-class training his son received.
Operating from Nehru Stadium, Chennai, the Academy has been running continuously since 2005, providing free professional coaching, accommodation, education support, and competition-grade poles — all at zero cost to the athletes and their families.
"If one child from a village in Tamil Nadu can stand on an international podium, every child deserves that chance."
— Coach Don Wilcox, Founder
Silver Medal
Deaf Olympics 2005
Melbourne, Australia
Gerard Mark Wilcox
Pole Vault — India
Academy at a Glance
Don Wilcox — A Life in Athletics
From student athlete to Deaf Olympics coach — a journey spanning over five decades.
Don Wilcox began his athletics journey at Campaign High School, Trichy, training under the mentorship of Coach T. Dennison. This formative period built the technical foundation and coaching philosophy that would define his career.
Don Wilcox joined the Income Tax Department under the sports quota, recognition of his athletic achievements. This stability allowed him to continue pursuing athletics while building a professional career.
After decades in athletics, Don Wilcox transitioned to active coaching, sharing his wealth of experience with younger athletes. His focus was on identifying raw talent in youth who lacked access to professional training.
The defining moment came when Don's son, Gerard Mark Wilcox, won a Silver Medal in Pole Vault at the Deaf Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. This international achievement proved that Indian athletes — including those with disabilities — could compete at the highest world level.
Inspired by his son's achievement, Don Wilcox founded Don's Pole Vault Academy at Nehru Stadium, Chennai. For two decades, he has scouted rural talent, secured sponsorships for poles, conducted annual altitude training camps in Ooty, and guided athletes to national championships — all driven purely by a passion for the sport and a belief in every child's potential.
Why We Exist
Our Purpose
To professionally train poor, rural athletes in pole vault, transforming them from unknown school students into national-level champions — at zero cost to them.
Our Approach
Select talent from rural schools → provide free accommodation at Nehru Stadium → deliver professional pole vault coaching → supply poles through sponsors → build endurance through annual Ooty altitude camps.
Our Vision
A Tamil Nadu — and eventually an India — where no gifted athlete is denied a shot at glory simply because of the postcode they were born in.
What We Do
Rural School Talent Scouting
We visit rural schools across Tamil Nadu to identify naturally gifted young athletes who show potential for pole vault, regardless of their economic background.
Free Accommodation at Nehru Stadium
Selected athletes receive free accommodation at Nehru Stadium, Chennai — removing the biggest barrier for rural families sending their children to the city for training.
Education Support
We believe education and sport go hand in hand. Athletes receive support to continue their schooling alongside their training program.
Professional Pole Vault Coaching
World-class technique coaching covering grip, run-up, plant & take-off, bar clearance, and landing — delivered by Chief Coach Don Wilcox and trained staff.
Poles & Equipment — Sponsor Supplied
Competition-grade poles are expensive. We secure poles and equipment through sponsors so athletes can train and compete at the highest levels without any personal expenditure.
Annual Altitude Training Camp — Ooty
Every year, athletes travel to Ooty for a 15km trekking camp designed to build cardiovascular endurance and mental strength. The camp has run for 5+ consecutive years, funded entirely by friends and sponsors.
Be Part of the Journey
Support our mission — sponsor a pole, fund a camp, or nominate a talented athlete.