Our high calibre coaches, Besnik and Tatjana Mece, have been training junior development (JD) athletes since starting the JD program with the Royal City Track and Field Club (RCTF) in 2000. Their success continued with RCTF until February 2007, when many of the athletes and volunteer parents decided that they wanted to work with the Meces in a new direction, and the New West Spartans club was born.

With supportive, focused coaching and a strong team spirit, Spartans athletes have excelled on and off the track with many going on to be recognized at provincial, national and international competitions.

The Mece Team has produced 35 Canadian Champion Titles, 17 National Team presentations, 9 Canadian Track & Field records and 7 World Championship presentations, among other notable accomplishments.

Since leading the Spartans, our coaches have also been recognized for their contributions to Canadian athletics. Some of their accolades include:

Tatjana Mece:

BC Award Winner for Excellence in Coaching in Junior Development (2007)
BC Award Winner for Excellence in Coaching for the senior category (2013)
Certificate of Recognition from City of New Westminster Parks and Recreation for contribution in athletics

Besnik Mece:

BC Award Winner for Excellence in Coaching in Junior Development (2010)
BC Award Winner for Excellence in Coaching for U16 and U18 (2019)
Canadian Development Coach of the Year (2019)
Jane and Gerry Swan Award (2019)
Certificate of Recognition from City of New Westminster Parks and Recreation for contribution in athletics

Read more about our coaches.