So who is Stephanie Redman?
I chose coaching as a career when I was 21 years old and have not looked back since… I am 32 now! It all started with Dave Fuller and Advanced Rider Training (ART). Dave saw a need to coach at Morgan Park to supplement their race meetings and as a result ART was born. I was about 18 years old then, I loved racing and racing motorcycles. I was fortunate enough to be included in ART as a trainer and this is where my passion for it grew.
I love to help people but the big motivation for me is that I really enjoy learning. I quickly realized that the more I helped others, the more it forced me to question what I knew and understood about the sport I was competing in. This means, I have become not only a better coach but also a better racer and that makes me love it even more.
In 2010, California Superbike School (CSS), one of the leaders in motor education in Australia, decided to add Queensland to its calendar and was looking for local trainers. After being reminded by Head Coach Adam Raffe, I decided to do a ‘coach trial’ to see if I would get in. I remember I was a bit overwhelmed that day, not by the program, which was one of the easiest learning systems I’ve ever followed, but by the multitude of things I didn’t know about horseback riding.
Once I realized there was more to know, and passed my testing, I joined, supported and all. I moved from Queensland to Victoria and work full time for CSS. I am the back office support administrator and a coach on event days. I worked as hard as I could to learn, I wanted to know everything. However, I quickly realized that it is impossible to learn everything, because sports and technology are always evolving, there is always something new for coaches. Whether it’s the rider’s individuality, their idea, a specific riding style for a bike or a tire… the list goes on. I have been more than 12 years as a coach and every time I work with a driver, I learn something new.
It’s been a journey to say the least. I’ve been working with CSS for about 8 years and in that time I’ve climbed the highest ranks of their training, achieving level 4 or Master Trainer status, where only There are about 4 people in Australia achieved. I myself spent many years as a Head Coach, involved in running and overseeing the coach training program in the Asia-Pacific region. This role has taken me all over the world and I am fortunate to work with people from all walks of life. Many of whom I still consider family and friends.
However, my passion is working with younger riders and helping them grow and develop as motorcyclists. A few years ago, I decided to leave CSS and become a 49 Coach, focusing entirely on the field. Working with children is not only rewarding, but it also constantly improves one’s knowledge and understanding. A child, especially at an early age, is less attached to their thoughts and ideas. If you tell them to do something, they will do it, usually no questions asked. For this reason, I have to be absolutely certain that what I am telling them is both correct and safe.
Another benefit of working with juniors (some of whom are now young men and women), is that most of these people are competing at a very high level. That means the coach and my understanding have to match. It’s not always easy and I don’t always have the answers, but if there’s something I don’t know, I guarantee it won’t go on. I spent many hours researching, analyzing, testing theories and ideas and of course learning from others. And still do to this day.
Being in Europe and working with a driver of Senna Agius’ caliber has been like the icing on the cake for my career. Everything here is new to me, the way it works, the motorbike, the tires, but I approach it like I have with everything. Look for gaps, break them down, and make sure I understand what it takes to move on. Always combine data from the team and the bike’s needs, and then deliver it to riders in a way they can understand and execute.
For a coach, it’s always a team effort. The driver must have faith in me, and I must have faith in the driver. Senna and I have a great working relationship, he’s a real talent and a great guy, and I’m so excited for the upcoming season. We will continue to work this way and tackle each challenge as it comes. And I look forward to sharing some insights with you along the way.
