Athlete Coaches

Giving back to the sport through coaching is so important.  Softball in Manitoba has had few female coaches (relative to the number of males) in my life time, which is a shame considering how important female mentoring is!  Athletes do not have to "retire" from playing to begin coaching either.  It is amazing to see how an athlete's game improves when they begin teaching it.  I'm not sure if it's the "now I have to do what I'm teaching" part, or that technique and concepts are reinforced when you have to understand them fully to teach them.  Either way, coaching does many marvelous things!

This edition of 'Athlete Coaches' features toba athlete Makensy Payne who started out working with one athlete and soon was working with a whole team! 

Our daughter, Hailey, began her softball journey in January of 2012 when she first started throwing the ball with the intention of joining a league.   By the first of May, Hailey had played her first game, and near the end of May, Hailey had her first meeting with Makensy Payne at a softball diamond in our area.  Makensy went through many basic softball drills and they continued to meet at least twice a week.  Soon our 16 year old daughter, Shelby, had joined in, and we arranged for some of Hailey’s U14 teammates and players from other teams to join them.  As I watched the girls practice, I was amazed at how detailed and prepared Makensy was.  She had the practices broken down into five minute intervals.  At every practice she would add more advanced techniques.  Even though the weather was hot, both Shelby and Hailey didn’t lose their enthusiasm and enjoyment of practises with Makensy, always looking forward to the time they spent with her. 

Now in the fall, the whole family looks forward to next season.  Shelby will be signing up for fast pitch for the first time at the age of 17, and Hailey earned a spot on a U14 “A” team for the 2013 season.  This would never have been possible if not for the time and dedication that Makensy gave.  She is a great role-model for all young players.  The high quality coaching that Makensy received has been passed down to our daughters, and we hope that other successful young softball players are doing the same.

Hopefully one day our softball journey will continue with our daughters passing their knowledge and experience on to the next group of young players. 

Kelly, Sandra, Shelby and Hailey Yuskin