Athletics Communty Hero: Renea Reich
As part of our focus on community coaches doing extraordinary things, Athletics Australia’s Bianca Ratje met with Toowoomba’s own Renea Reich.
Renea was inspired to become an athletics coach by her deep-seated passion for sports and her diverse background in various athletic disciplines.
Renea’s journey as an athlete, umpire, and coach across a wide spectrum of sports including soccer, netball, basketball, athletics, futsal, tennis, cross country, judo, gymnastics, and various football codes, has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of athletic dynamics.
Moreover, her scientific background has enabled her to identify and emphasise easily the crucial components specific to each athlete’s sport. This has greatly shaped her coaching style and philosophy.
I had the good fortune of getting to know more about Renea in the interview below.
What brings you the most enjoyment or satisfaction out of athletics coaching?
My enjoyment is simple. The little things are noteworthy. People developing the smallest of gains and seeing the look on an athlete’s face when they know they achieved their training or competition goals.
I also take great pride in seeing athletes in my Run Club making great friendships inside and outside of the sport.
Who and where are you coaching?
All runners from beginner (no idea, never run) to national athletes from the age 9 years and above are welcome. My oldest registered member is 76 years old with a knee replacement. My Run Club is easily scaled to include everyone at the same time.
I’m based in Toowoomba, Queensland at O’Quinn Oval. It’s the home ground for Toowoomba Little Athletics and the volunteers do an exception job at maintaining the ground and keeping the line markings fresh. They make my job very easy!
In your experience what makes a great track and field athlete? What are some common traits you have observed in your athletes?
Attitude and aptitude are essential. The athlete must have a very high level of both (equally) to get to the national level. This is not a generational thing, I have seen this for years, but many people want the prize and not the hustle. The athlete who goes further is the one who is prepared to make it their waking mission to be doing all they can to work on their overall athleticism and identified goals. This comes from within. A parent or coach nagging them to do their training will only get the athlete so far.
What have your greatest successes been as a coach?
I was the Head Coach for Toowoomba Little Athletics for 5 years as well as the Centre Manager for the last two years. During that time I’ve successfully applied for approximately $190,000 worth of grants for the club. This transformed them into a high technology club with a completely new fit out and infrastructure changes. I’m so proud of this, because it has lifted athletics for the club and the entire region, having a positive impact on so many people’s lives.
From a coaching perspective, I know I’ve been successful when I hear my coaching cues and words come back to me, and see athletes in my Run Club help others out.
Do you work with any other coaches or have a support network?
I work closely with medical professionals (returning from surgery, injury and maternity breaks), and auxiliary coaches from various sporting codes including triathlon (Renea is the running coach), and strength and conditioning professionals.
Currently I’m training assistant coaches in The Reich Method® which is her running program used during her Run Club session.
What do you hope is next for your coaching journey?
I am in the middle of writing an online course for The Reich Method®. I’ve developed The Reich Method® over many years. In this course I have leveraged my foundation in sports podiatry, coupled with working with athletes from 3 years and above.
Working with different age groups has been essential to perfect the coaching cues for athletic success. The trifecta in this course has been teaching athletes how to run faster, longer and injury free. I’ve dedicated my career to keeping athletes off the sidelines and with high performance gains.
Apart from the online courses, sports podiatry clinic and training my Run Club group, I’d want to be a biomechanist, coach or team leader for our Australian Athletics team.
Are you taking on new athletes?
Renea’s Run Club is always open to everyone over 9 years of age. It’s a great mix of beginners (those who have never run) to National-level athletes. I have a lot of parents who originally joined for fun who have now turned into competitive Master’s athletes.
New runners can check out Renea’s socials or email her on hello@podiatrycoach.com.au for their free sign on link.
Visit Renea’s Website, www.podiatrycoach.com.au for more information on the Run Club, online courses, and Podiatry clinic.
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