Parkin told a Ballarat Sports Foundation scholarship presentation on Thursday that while it was important to put everything on the line, balance in life had to be maintained.

He said research had shown this was essential if the best outcomes were to be achieved.

Parkin said straight-out talent was over-rated.

“Have a go. Be passionate.

“Be the best you can be.

“Do the best you can,” the Carlton and Hawthorn premiership coach said.

“Be true and honest to yourself.”

Scholarship recipients at the presentation represented 10 sports and ranged across a variety of age groups from primary school pupils.

Parkin said he had been aware of the work of the foundation for some time and the positive impact it had had in people’s lives.

He believed Ballarat had a great sporting atmosphere – a reason the city had been able to produce so many leading athletes across a wide range of sports.

Parkin played down the ability to “motivate”.

“You can’t (motivate). 

“You can inspire, but it is up to what is inside the person,” he said.

“It’s about resilience. It doesn’t just happen,” Parkin said in his customary robust fashion.

Parkin said always be sure to ask for advice from people who you knew.

“They’ll give it to you straight.

“Ask good questions and listen to the answers, and respond,” he said.

Parkin also spoke on the importance of being a good team member ... a good team player.

“Be trustworthy, be predictable. Make a sacrifice, help a mate,” he said.

BALLARAT Sports Foundation will have Olympic racewalkers Jared and Claire Tallent as special guests at a fundraising event at a Ballarat and District Trotting Club race meeting on Thursday.

The foundation has supported Jared Tallent since his formative days in athletics.

Tallent has been one of Australia’s most successful athletes in the past decade, with three Olympic and two world championship medals, and two Commonwealth Games medals, including gold.