Newly-retired school sports coordinator shares highlights of two-decade career

RENE Haynes bid farewell to her fellow colleagues and learners at New Forest High School, where she served almost two decades as the sports coordinator.

The 75-year-old who recently retired said her interest in sports developed as a young girl while schooling in Pietermartizburg.

Haynes, who completed her matric at Voortrekker High School, said she took a keen interest in hockey.

“As a child, I was always involved in sports and played netball in primary school. However, my passion for hockey developed while in high school and continued even after I completed matric. I went on to play for various clubs.

“When I moved to Durban, I played for the Wanderers Club for many years. It was around the end of 2002, when my hockey coach who also was the chairman of the school, asked me if I would be interested in a position as the sports coordinator as they did not have anyone. I was at the end of my working career, so I decided to accept,” she said.

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Haynes, who lives in Montclair, said she joined the school in 2003.

She said her role as the sports coordinator was to build the various sporting codes, such as soccer, tennis, netball, and swimming, among others, as well as the players.

“I had to develop the different sporting codes as well as the individual player. I would have to make all the arrangements for the teams in terms of them competing against other schools. I would also encourage the players so they would do their best.

“When I joined, I introduced indoor hockey and a girls’ soccer team, which has been a major success. I also brought back athletics. I also started an annual sportsman breakfast and open day where we invited teams from various schools and different sports were played.

“I also introduced a sports awards event, and coaches from the different sporting codes would nominate their best player for an award. While there were challenges along the way, it was all worth it seeing the joy experienced by the children,” she said.

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Haynes, who also coached the girl’s hockey team said a highlight of her time at school, was seeing the development of the pupils.

“With the support and encouragement they received, the learners were motivated to excel, and many of them did in their specific sporting code. However, another highlight as the hockey coach was sharing a brilliant relationship with the team, they were like my children.

“I would fetch them or take them home after practice as well as take them to trials. I was very involved. One of the greatest acknowledgments I received was an award from the KZN Hockey Association for my role in developing girls’ hockey at schools, which was lovely,” she said.

Haynes, who has two children and three grandchildren, said now that she is retired, she intends on visiting her daughter and grandchildren, who reside in Ireland.

“It will be good to spend some time with the children, who are also very much into sports. When I return to South Africa, I will spend time doing the two other activities I enjoy the most, gardening and scrapbooking. My motto is to live life to the fullest, so that is what I intend to do,” she said.

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