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Raylene Bates is one of those people who seem to be able to fit eight days into her seven day week, such is her dedication to coaching. She first coached an athlete with a disability over 20 years ago and is now not only the Paralympics Coach of Athletics, she will also be managing the Track and Field New Zealand Paralympics Team at the Paralympics Games in Beijing in September. Even before she attends the Paralympics Games, Raylene will be busy in her role as Track and Field Manager for the able bodied Olympics.
“Coaching and athletics have always been my passion,” says Raylene. “I work full time, as Business Manager for New Zealand Academy of Sport South Island, so I fit it in around work and family. I am committed to my athletes and sometimes end up coaching three times a day to ensure they all have the attention they require,” says Raylene. “This will be the first time I have been to the Paralympics, and I’m really looking forward to learning from other coaches whilst I am there.”
Raylene has coached both able bodied athletes and athletes with a disability at club, provincial, national and international levels. One of her current athletes is Jessica Hammil, who will be competing at the Paralympic Games in the shot put, discus and javelin. “I’ve been coaching Jessica for two years now and treat her no differently to the way I treat my able bodied athletes, except I have to use different methods of training to accommodate her disability. She has cerebral palsy,” she explains. Working with Jessica has been a great learning curve for Raylene, as well as the rest of the squad, and she finds it extremely satisfying.
As you can see, Raylene is a busy and dedicated coach and obviously has a great passion for seeing her athletes succeed, regardless of their competition level. “I just love coaching – it doesn’t worry me at what level an athlete is as long as they are improving, achieving their goals and succeeding.”
We look forward to following you and your team at the Paralympic Games Raylene, and you can rest assured there will be heaps of supporters back in New Zealand wishing you all the very best in the race to the top of the podium.
