Maryanne Perkins

Interview with Maryanne Perkins from October 2023

By Bianca Ratje

What inspired you to become an athletics coach and how has your personal journey in the sport shaped your coaching style and philosophy?

Maryanne’s Father was an athletics coach and he and his brothers lived and breathed Athletics.

Maryanne’s Father, John Waddell, trained many top athletes and is a life member at numerous athletics clubs. Maryanne’s Uncle Peter Waddell was a national walker and went on to be an Australian walks coach. They were so good technically across all events and kept it simple.

Motivation is key but above all they wanted everyone to enjoy the journey and that has very much shaped Maryanne’s style and philosophies.

What brings you the most enjoyment or satisfaction out of athletics coaching?

“The improvements in Athletes self esteem and confidence on the journey. Knowing I am making an impact on their lives, not just their performances”.

Seeing athletes Maryanne has trained get scholarships at USA colleges, private boarding schools and be competitive at state and national titles is definitely a highlight for Maryanne. But so is seeing a younger athlete win their first age championship at a school athletics carnival or be selected in a local rep team.

Who and where are you coaching?

Maryanne is originally from Sydney but now owns a gym and coaches from ovals in Gunnedah NSW, which is North-West of the state.

Gunnedah is regional and a little remote but Maryanne has produced a lot of top athletes. Maryanne has private squads that she coaches strength, speed and power to. Maryanne loves assisting country kids be competitive on a bigger stage. Maryanne is all about long term athletic development.

In your experience what makes a great track and field athlete? What are some common traits you have observed in your athletes?

You have to care about the athlete as a person first. The athletes have to feel comfortable to win and fail with you. You need to be able to change programs for how an athlete turns up on any given day. You need to keep your knowledge up yo date and continually learn and adapt.

What have your greatest successes been as a coach?

Maryanne’s greatest successes has been opening he door to country kids having greater experiences than they would otherwise have had. Be that through trips away to represent Sydney or nationals, moving to a boarding school through a sporting scholarship, getting a contract with a Sydney team, or moving to the USA for college scholarships.

“Knowing I’ve had that impact is incredibly rewarding”.

Do you work with any other coaches or have a support network?

Maryanne’s Dad has had a major influence and she was also well supported in her transition to country coaching by Little Athletics as she started at the local club when she moved.

What do you hope is next for your coaching journey?

Maryanne hopes to continue doing what she’s doing and keep opening doors for her athletes and making a difference to their lives.

Maryanne has a high jumper heading to nationals at the moment and another athlete applying for a US scholarship so those will be her short term focus.

Are you taking on new athletes?

Maryanne is always taking on new athletes and does some remote coaching online.

Best ways to contact Maryanne:

Email- ghfcgunnedah@gmail.com

Website: https://ghfcgunnedah.com.au/