Coach Appreciation Month | Paul Pearce

The bond between an athlete and a coach is truly unique. For most athletes, a coach sits well within their inner sanctum. For Paralympic silver medallist Isis Holt and Olympic semi finalist Riley Day, sprints coach Paul Pearce is much closer; he is a nothing short of family.

Already a four-time world champion and a Paralympic silver medallist, Holt remembers the moment she met Pearce:

"Paul was my assigned team coach at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and what I really loved about him was his ability to see athletes as a whole person rather than just as an athlete," she said. 

"He asked, 'are you the kind of athlete that prefers not to be spoken to, or one that wants to be distracted before competition?''

"In my entire career, nobody had ever asked me what I felt I needed from an emotional point of view. It had all been practical and never holistic."

And so a bond was formed as Holt contemplated her next steps. While she ultimately took a year off training to finish her studies after the 2018 Commonwealth Games, she credits Pearce for her staggering comeback, which in a short space of time has included personal bests, world records and of course, two more Paralympic silver medals.

"Me coming back to athletics, I wasn't sure where I'd be in terms of rankings, especially now that I'm a little bit older. The plan was for Tokyo to be a benchmarker for me, but despite the challenging conditions, which for me include moving up to Queensland from Melbourne, COVID, and a new coach, Paul has got me there. It's only possible due to the time and effort he puts in."

That effort goes far beyond the role of a traditional coach, says Holt.

"When I first moved up here, he did everything for me. I was living with his family for a little while, he was driving me to house inspections and he even came with me to buy my first car," she said.

"He's a bit like a second Dad, but in a different way. We banter the way we would with a mate, but he has a protective best interest that a parent might. Perhaps he's like an uncle.

Pearce's nuturing presence is a common theme when speaking to his athletes, with 200m star Riley Day expressing gratitude for what he has brought to her life over the past three years.

"I think it's his mindset towards training. I was 18 when I was first coached by Paul, and his efforts towards my training are the reason I am able to switch on completely. He makes sure that I'm getting more back than what he gives and as a result, I show up, I want to do my best and not waste his time."

Like Holt, Day says Pearce's efforts to go above and beyond are all reasons she has met her goals professionally. 

"Sometimes it's weird to say he's just my coach. I literally tell him everything that's going on in my life, and that's really important for an athlete. He's like a second Dad - my own Dad is incredibly supportive too - but Paul knows the ins and outs of my life too.

"He's been there when I moved out of home, we've gone all over the world together, and I've learnt so much along the way. I think we've also grown a lot together, and he's seen me grow up. We've been through a lot of life changes, including all the ugly crying and the happy moments too."

Both Holt and Day took the time to thank their coach for his unwavering efforts in bolstering their efforts both on and off the track. 

"I would love for him to know how much I appreciate him. It's one thing that he writes programs and organises sessions, but he's so much more than that, and it's a big load to carry. He knows everything about us, and constantly asks what he can do better, and we are extremely grateful for that," Holt said.

Echong Holt's sentiments, Day said she will never be more grateful for his ability to look after his athletes.

"He always makes sure my mental health is going better before my physical health. That's important and it's just as important to be the best. Thank you Paul for always seeing Riley the person, and not just Riley the athlete."

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 23/11/2021