Pymble’s Paralympic Coach Extraordinaire

We are Pymble proud of Katie Edwards, our Head of Sport (7-12) and personal coach to Mali Lovell, Australia’s latest Paralympic medallist. Mali competed in Paris on Day 3 of the Games coming third in the 200m T36 race to claim a bronze medal – an incredible achievement for an Olympic debutant!

Katie has worked at the College for nine years and credits her Pymble colleagues for inspiring her to give her best every day for our students,

“I love working with my amazing colleagues who are not only incredibly hard-working but also enthusiastic and determined leaders in their respective fields.”

Katie shares some of her athletics coaching journey below.

What do you enjoy about working at Pymble?

I might be biased, but I truly believe we offer the best sporting programs for girls, not just in the country but possibly worldwide. Our top-notch facilities, world-class coaches, and exceptional care for our athletes, including our Pymble Elite Sportswomen’s program, are unparalleled. Our programs cater to girls who play for fun and those aiming for the Olympics. We strive to instil a lifelong passion for sport and provide a platform for our athletes to become the best versions of themselves, both on and off the field.

Did you compete in sport yourself?

I absolutely loved playing sport and this was the main reason I became a PE teacher. In my younger years, I participated in Netball, Athletics, Swimming, and Surf Lifesaving. Nowadays, I keep fit and have fun by ocean swimming, running, and going to the gym. 

How did you come to be a coach in the Paralympics?

I have been coaching athletics with Mel Gainsford Taylor for over 10 years at Narrabeen, twice a week. Our squad includes many Pymble sprinters. About eight years ago, two wonderful girls with cerebral palsy joined our group. While Mel and I hadn’t coached para-athletes before, this journey became an opportunity for us to educate ourselves and seamlessly integrate both para and able-bodied athletes. I am extremely proud of our inclusive, caring, and supportive squad. 

What do you enjoy about coaching at this level?

I am fortunate to have exceptional athletes in my squad who have inspired me to pursue high performance coaching. Five years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined being at this level, but it has been a rewarding and enjoyable journey. Pymble athletes like my own daughter Kristie Edwards (2017), Olivia Inkster (2022), Alice Dixon (2021) and Mali Lovell have inspired me to push my limits and elevate my coaching skills. Olivia has made it to two World U20 Australian teams, Alice to the Australian U23 team and Mali has competed and medalled at two World Para Athletics Championships and of course, now won bronze in Paris! 

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by all female coaches who have the confidence to make a difference. Being part of Athletics Australia’s first female high performance coaching group, I have found immense support, motivation, and belief in what women coaches can achieve from this remarkable group of ladies.

I am also very inspired by my daughters, Kristie and Ashlie, with their passion, dedication and hard work both sporting and academically to follow their dreams. This was instilled in them from their time at Pymble as students. We are all very proud Pymble girls!

Why is sport important?

While we all know the tangible physical, psychological, and social benefits of sport, the impact goes far beyond that. Research has shown that girls who engage in sport have a more positive body image and greater psychological well-being compared to those who do not. Sport also teaches valuable life skills such as teamwork, goal setting, and the pursuit of excellence, which are essential for success in everyday life.