Our Team
At the heart of the Saint John Track Club is a team of dedicated coaches, each bringing personal excellence, years of experience, and a belief in every athlete’s potential.
Chris Belof
Head CoachChris Belof is a club coach with the Saint John Track & Field Club, head coach of the UNB REDS cross country and track & field teams, and a High Performance Coach with Athletics New Brunswick. He has received multiple AUS coaching honours, including Coach of the Year awards in men’s and women’s track & field and cross country, as well as UNB REDS Coach of the Year.
Chris holds a Master’s degree in Coaching Education from the University of Victoria and is a Registered Chartered Professional Coach. He is NCCP certified as a Performance Coach in Endurance and trained in Sprint & Hurdles, and has completed the Advanced Coaching Diploma through the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario.
Originally from Regina, Chris has coached across sprints, hurdles, para-athletics, and endurance events. His coaching experience includes roles with Athletics Canada at the Olympic Games and World Athletics Championships, Head Coach for Team Canada at the World Cross Country Championships, Assistant Coach at Pan Am Cross Country, and multiple Canada Games roles with Team New Brunswick.
Chris has also contributed to Canada’s national relay program and ALTIS Sprints & Hurdles, along with previous coaching leadership roles with the University of Manitoba Bisons and Athletics Manitoba.
Bill MacMakin
Club President & Endurance CoachBill MacMackin is the current President of the Saint John Track & Field Club and a certified Performance and Endurance Coach with a focus on endurance. A former club athlete in his youth, he returned to the organization to help guide its growth and long-term development.
Since returning to leadership roles in 2004, Bill has supported the expansion of club programs, increased athlete participation, and strengthened pathways from introductory levels through to national competition. He has focused on improving competition opportunities, enhancing facilities, and building a sustainable athlete development system.
He is a past Chair of the Board of both Athletics Canada and Athletics New Brunswick. He has also served as a coach with New Brunswick Legion and Canada Games teams, contributing to athlete development at the provincial and national levels.
Oyinko Akinola
Club Coach & Technical DirectorOyinko Akinola brings experience as both an elite athlete and a dedicated coach to the Saint John Track & Field Club. Born in Nigeria and raised in Winnipeg, he is a University of Manitoba graduate and three-time U SPORTS All-Canadian.
As an athlete, Oyinko earned multiple U SPORTS silver medals in the high jump and triple jump, competing at the highest level of Canadian University Sport.
As a coach, Oyinko has worked extensively with the Winnipeg Optimist Athletics Club, leading development in jumps, speed, power, and hurdles, and has supported Athletics Manitoba programs for youth athletes aged 7–18. He has also contributed to provincial coaching clinics and athlete development initiatives.
Oyinko is known for his technical expertise in jumps and his ability to connect with athletes at all stages of development.
Constance Gillman
Club CoachConstance Gilman is a certified club coach and performance-development trained throws coach specializing in shot put, weight throw, hammer, javelin, and discus.
Constance has been coaching since age 16 and currently coaches with the Saint John Track & Field Club, UNB Throws, and has served as Head Coach for NAIG Track & Field NB. She has also coached at the Canada Games for both Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.
As an athlete, Constance competed for Université de Moncton. She is a former AUS Volunteer Coach of the Year and is known for her strong athlete engagement and focus on personal bests and goal achievement.
David Kerr
Club CoachDavid Kerr is NCCP certified at both the Club Coach and Competition-Development levels, specializing in throws. He coaches hammer, shot put, weight throw, and discus, and also supports athlete development through strength and conditioning.
David holds a BSc in Kinesiology, a BEd, and an MEd, and currently teaches and coaches within Anglophone School District South. As an athlete, he was a two-time team captain with the Dalhousie Tigers, a four-time AUS medalist, and holds the New Brunswick Junior Provincial Record in hammer throw.
David has coached athletes from elementary through master’s levels, with a focus on confidence, technical development, and long-term participation in the sport.