Josephine savours dream coaching role at club where she started as an athlete

Dedicated coach: Josephine Mary addressing the guests during an annual dinner organised by the Panther Athletics Club in Ipoh.

FOR two-time Asian Games bronze medallist Josephine Mary, being a grassroots coach at the Panther Athletics Club in Ipoh is more than a dream job.

For the 56-year-old Josephine, it’s a classic case of one good turn deserves another. She first cut her competitive teeth in athletics at the club way back in 1984, when she was 17.

“I was coached by K. Jayabalan at the club then. He also guided me when I was running for Malaysia. I was with them till 1993 and then in 2010, I returned to the club as a coach,” said Josephine placed third in the 800m event at the Seoul Asian Games in 1986 and also the 4x400m competition at the Beijing Asian Games in 1990 with Rabia Abdul Salam, Sajaratuldur Hamzah and G. Shanti.

Now, seeing the smiles on the parents’ faces of young athletes who are doing well simply fuels Josephine’s motivation to produce more top class athletes in Perak.

Josephine guides the Under-15 athletes at the Panther Athletics Club, working from Monday to Saturday each week, and is loving every moment of it.

“I like to see the expressions of the parents’ faces on the sidelines. When they see their children running and doing well on the lanes, whether it’s the state council training centre or Taman DR Seenivasagam, the smiles on their faces are infectious,” she said.

“In an era where parents are more focused on their children’s education, seeing them encourage their kids to excel in sports fills me with joy.

Time well spent: Josephine’s Panther Athletics Club trainees posing for a photograph after a training session.

“Being a former athlete, I always believe there should be a balance between studies and sports. Sports develops discipline, which is what you need to excel in studies.”

The Panther Athletics Club are a source of great pride for Josephine. They have produced many gold medallists at the SEA Games level who include Josephine, her husband Samson Vallabuoy, who is also the club’s vice-president, and their daughter Shereen Samson Vallabuoy.

The club are also one of the longest-serving in Malaysia, with their president Jayabalan establishing it in 1974.

Many school athletes and bank employees, mostly from Maybank, went on to join the club as competitions in the country then required them to be registered with a club.

“Now, we have four coaches in the club, training about 70-80 athletes. I’m tasked with developing the Under-15 female athletes, especially in the 400m and 800m disciplines,” said Josephine.

She said usually, coaches have a preference for training athletes who are speedier and fitter, but she has a different approach when it comes to development.

Instead of separating the fastest athletes from the slowest, Josephine prefers to train them all together.

“Talent can get you far but it’s hard work that brings success. Some athletes are naturally talented but some take more time to develop,” she said.

“But the ones who take more time, they always train harder and you can see the good results of that.

“For every athlete, there is a process for them to develop. You’re not only dealing with their development but also their parents’ expectations.

“For me, the most satisfying part of coaching is when the parents thank you for helping their children progress and improve. You feel rewarded in that sense that you’re part of the child’s development, not only in sports but also in his or her character.”

Besides Josephine, the other coaches in the Panther Athletics Club are N. Kaliaye Selvan, P. Sivakumar and S. Manogaran.

One for the album: Josephine (back row, fourth from left) with her trainees.

Even Jayabalan, who is now 75, is still coaching and remains a full-time coach in the state sports council.

“His passion is amazing. Coach Jayabalan remains active on the ground and has been managing this club quite well. Most of us are here voluntarily,” added Josephine.

Josephine is among the top Panther alumni, given her exploits in the Asian Games.

She is thrilled to see Shereen making her mark at last year’s Asiad in Hangzhou where she garnered bronze medals in the 400m and the 4x100m relay with Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli, Azreen Nabila Alias and Nur Afrina Batrisyia.

Josephine said her goal now is to continue producing quality athletes for the nation despite the club not having big funds.

“If we had better funds, we can have our training centre and stronger training programmes but we’re still doing well with what we have now, due to our passion.

“The club have a good record in producing talents. Besides me and Shereen, we have the likes of G. Aravin Thevar, P. Sivakumar, Ong Yee Chan and not forgetting my husband Samson.

“Plus we have the support of the Perak Sports Council, who allow us to use their facilities.”