Passing on a love for athletics

Forty years ago, long-time Parkhill Gardens resident Stephané Kotzé, who recently overcame colon cancer, made the decision to step away from only competing as an athlete and decided to begin training young athletes.

“I began training athletes at Germiston Stadium in 1980,” said Kotzé during a recent training session with two of his athletes at Hoërskool Goudrif.

“I was a top athlete myself, competing in the 100m and 200m sprints and long jump.

“During my competitive years I even held a South African record in long jump,” said the well-known Germiston Callies Harriers coach.

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When Kotzé began his career as a schoolteacher, where he taught history and physical training (PT), he started to focus more on nurturing young athletes’ talents and less on competing.

“I was 29 years old when I began coaching,” explained Kotzé.

“I would still compete myself, while training, in the early years, but in time I focused all my energy on coaching.”

Kotzé first began coaching school athletes, which was part of his job description, but soon he was also coaching senior athletes.

“I have coached 65 South African champions, which does not include my athletes who have placed second and third at championships,” he said.

“Pedro Aaron was my 65th gold medallist.”

Some of the highlights of Kotzé’s coaching career include the number of Olympians he has coached.

“A huge highlight of my career has been all the Olympic athletes I have coached and the Olympic Games I was able to attend, namely in 1996, 2000 and 2004,” he said.

“I was one of the best long jumpers in Africa, but due to apartheid I was unable to compete internationally, so it is a great highlight for me to see my athletes competing on the world stage.

“I am lucky enough to pass on my knowledge and coach on all levels.”

But to have these opportunities has meant a lot of hard work and dedication from Kotzé.

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“Coaching is not something that pays well, so if you do not have a career on the side helping you make ends meet, you might struggle,” Kotzé said.

“You have to have a passion for the sport and for sharing your knowledge.

“I was born to be an athlete and to share what I know with athletes.”

Kotzé had a love not only for athletics, but also for rugby.

“I was also a good rugby player and coach in my day,” he said.

Kotzé said he plans to continue coaching, but admits that he will take it year by year and day by day.

“It is very difficult to say how long I will continue coaching,” Kotzé said.

“I will see how it goes.”

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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za.

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