Coaches Corner - Jane Scotney
Where passion meets performance. In this series, we shine a spotlight on the incredible work of coaches across our athletics community. Celebrating the stories, successes, and impact they have on and off the track. From grassroots to greatness, these are the people shaping the future of our sport.
Our Coach today is Jane Scotney.
Jane is passionate about promoting women in sport and loves sharing her extensive knowledge with others. She’s committed to supporting athletes not only in their current journeys but also in helping them explore opportunities to stay involved in the sport during and beyond their competitive careers.
Who are you and where did you coach?
My name's Jane Scotney. I coach in Brisbane; a lot of people know me as Jumping with Jane. I've been coaching for about 15 years now. I used to coach all the events, but now I just stick with high jump. I love high jump – the rollercoaster, the technical side, the simplicity – it's just a gorgeous event.
How did you get into coaching?
I used to compete at school and when I finished school in rural Queensland, and there was nowhere to high jump, so I couldn’t continue. When I had kids, they jumped, so I took them to coaches instead of coaching them myself. I learned a lot from the great coaches they had. Eventually, I started helping out, then started my own group, and it grew from there. Now it’s more than just a hobby – I’m doing this more than I am nursing these days. It’s exciting to get paid for something I love. I’m passionate about the sport and looking toward the future, now I’m encouraging my older athletes to get into coaching themselves.
Tell me more about supporting your athletes in becoming junior coaches
I’ve mainly been working with three of them, though I have plans for more (they don’t know yet!). I pay them to help coach on weekends, especially with younger groups. I get them to help with drills, set up, plan sessions, and run them. Two are doing their Level 2. I’ll have them run a full session soon with me just watching. I’ve also spoken to other coaches so they can do some mentoring, with sprint and throws coaches, to broaden their experience.
How has coaching influenced your athlete’s approach to training and competition?
Yes – they think a lot more about what they’re doing. They’re more reflective and self-aware during competition. They come over after a jump and tell me what went wrong and what they need to fix. That’s ideal. As a coach, you can’t always be there so they need to become self-sufficient and aware – that’s how they’ll improve.
Have you faced any challenges in coaching, and how did you overcome them?
Time. Time is the big one – managing life balance and family. I haven’t had much discrimination, but sometimes it feels like a bit of a boys' club. I just do my thing, put the work in, and let that speak for itself. It’s not about ‘us and them’ – we’re all here for the athletes. The better we coach, the better the results.
What would you say to athletes thinking about coaching?
Just have a go. Learn. Watch – you learn so much from observing, both what to do and what not to do. Push yourself out of your comfort zone. There’s more support now than even five years ago. Online resources help with flexibility. Most importantly – ask questions. There’s a wealth of knowledge and a strong network, especially among female coaches in Brisbane. We share and support each other, and it’s a great environment to be in.
Where can people find out more about you?
@jumpingwithjane on instagram