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Of all the memories Peter Corr cherishes from his three decades coaching Australian Para-athletes, the rousing run of the Aussie Belles women’s goalball team at the Tokyo Paralympics holds a special place.
The Belles won their first Paralympic match in 25 years in the highly competitive sport for vision impaired athletes and qualified for the quarter finals by beating the reigning world champions representing the Russian Paralympic Committee. There they put up a spirited fight against world No.1 and eventual gold medallists Turkey.
Corr had not decided his future before Tokyo. But last week, he announced he would step down as coach, closing out one of Australia’s most enduring Para-sport coaching careers.
“The performance of the girls in Tokyo and the way they bought into the simple things – adversity was never an excuse,” Corr said.
“Meica [Horsburgh], Jenny [Blow] and Tyan [Taylor] and the younger players, Raissa [Martin], Brodie [Smith] and Amy [Ridley], they were all magnificent. They showed how to play for each other and how to be ‘together’ as a team.
“It was so great to see them celebrate achieving things they’d never done before. You talk about PBs, well they played to their abilities. It is worth celebrating.”
Corr was a drama teacher before embarking on a 15-year stint as a physical education teacher for children with special needs. He became involved in the Gliders wheelchair basketball program in the early 1990s and coached them at Barcelona 1992, the first of his six Paralympics which included winning the silver medal at Sydney 2000.
Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Lynne Anderson said the Australian Paralympic movement was indebted to Corr.
“Peter spent 30 years of his life helping Australian Para-athletes across two sports become the best athletes and people they could be,” Anderson said.
“He left the Gliders and Belles programs in much better shape than when he took over, which is a significant insight into the impact he had.
“Peter provided a steady hand, a depth of knowledge and always fostered a strong team spirit. I sincerely thank Peter for his enduring dedication and commitment.”
Corr said he would remain available to the Belles or other programs if they required guidance.
“Sport generally says that when a coach steps down they fade off into the sunset. But if the Belles call on me, I’m committed to them, on an individual athlete level or coach support level,” he said.
“I believe I am a good teacher, a reasonably good coach. If I can help other coaches and other developing athletes, I’m available to do that. Those opportunities may or may not come. That’s the risk you take. But it’s important to step away at the right time.”
The Belles’ Tokyo 2020 success was one of many great memories, he said.
“Walking into the stadium in Barcelona to a crowd of 100,000 people, all of whom had a white hand and they were waving them at us… For a young coach who was proud as punch of representing his country, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.
“My daughter Alyce was born the day before my first ever game with the Gliders in Barcelona so she is a real Paralympic baby. It was a special time.
“Then, in Sydney, when we won the silver medal, I had my family there watching. My son came to the press conferences, my mum was alive and watching me, my brother was dancing up a treat up in the stands at the Opening Ceremony trying to make sure I saw him.
“How blessed have I been? Six Paralympics, a great time coaching the Gliders, a 10-year cycle with goalball and a sense that this particular group of girls performed to their ability – it’s a really good sense of achievement. You can measure things by medals but you can also measure things by improvement and development.
“I’m proud to be a coach and a teacher. I believe that the desire to be a great coach and a great teacher is a really noble pursuit.”
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That pursuit will now likely fall to Simon Smith, Corr’s assistant coach in Tokyo.
“I’ve worked with Simon for five years now. I trust Simon and I believe he’s ready to take over,” he said.
“Apart from that, I philosophically believe that when you’ve been with a program for a period of time, your messages may be good but it’s good that the athletes hear similar messages from other voices and things are refreshed.
“I’m really satisfied that what I put in place to build the team, against the odds in many ways, has been a success.”
Corr wanted to thank his children Ryan and Alyce for their love and total support.
“If it wasn’t for them, there’s no way I would have had my career. Any time I’ve baulked or hesitated, they’ve said ‘Dad just go for it’. So now it’s about more time for them.”
“There are many people I am grateful to have shared my Paralympic journey with and who have been so very supportive. It has been really special for me and the Paralympics is really special to me.”
By: David Sygall, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 4 November 2021
