Vastly experienced Paralympian #183 Holly Robinson has claimed silver and gold medals in the Women’s Javelin F46 at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 before completing the full suite of medals with a bronze in the Women’s Shot Put F46 at Paris 2024. We reflect on her impressive sporting journey with her loyal and loving support crew who have helped her achieve her athletics ambitions.
Growing up as a young girl on the West Coast with a disability presented its challenges for Holly but it was her grandmother, Shirley Crowley, who instilled in her the belief that anything was possible.
“My grandmother was always a huge supporter in that she never let me use my disability as an excuse,” says Holly. “As soon as I had the opportunity to compete in athletics, she was a big driving force in making sure I made all the training sessions. She went with me to some of my overseas competitions when I was younger, and she did all my fundraising. Grandma taught me the key values of working hard for the things you want to achieve in life and always fought for my dream.”
Mum, Pauline, and dad, Steve, have acted as a huge support through Holly’s athletics journey. Offered the chance at the age of 16 to relocate to Dunedin with a Paralympics NZ scholarship to further her career, her parents did not stop in her way and have acted as a constant source of support, particularly in challenging times.
“They are always my greatest supporters,” she says. “When I’m struggling, I tend to keep things to myself and as parents they always know I’m struggling. Having that support has been really key for me.”
Another key ally on her road to several Paralympic podiums has been twin brother, Jonno. Dad to Holly’s 20-month-old niece, Arizona, he has also provided wise counsel to Holly.
“He is always there for me and when things do not go well, he reminds me that sport is not everything and I will get through this,” she says. “I’ve come to realise that it is hard for a sibling when another one is on TV and excelling and the other away from the limelight – but he has always been there for me.”
Holly also owes a debt of gratitude to Danny Spark – her very first athletics coach when starting out at Greymouth AC as a youngster. Giving her the motivation to compete – when others used her disability as an excuse not to give certain sporting pursuits a go – providing the springboard for her future success and she is overwhelmingly positive about the role he has played.
“He was hugely important,” she insists. “I’ve only ever had two coaches in my career, Danny and Raylene (Bates), and they have been hugely influential – not only in helping me develop the skills needed but also instilling in me the values and the commitment required to be an athlete. Danny was a big part of that. He always believed in me, which was something I did not always have in life.”
Since relocating to Dunedin at the age of 16, her coach Raylene Bates – and the wider Bates family including Grandma Gough (mum to Raylene) – have played an incalculable role in her life. Before leaving Holly says she had little experience beyond her own family but Raylene as her coach provided that all important stability – particularly during her first two years in Otago when she lived with Raylene and her family.
“Raylene has become a huge mentor and friend to me over the years, my journey without her would not have been the same,” says Holly. “We share the same dreams, and it has been nice to have someone by your side fighting for you for the same goals. She has been far more than a mentor and her knowledge of sport has played a huge part. But being a girl from the West Coast, to build that key relationship with someone I could rely on outside of sport too was very important. I value that relationship but also her values and attitude. She is committed, hard-working and I love the fact she champions change and is so committed to Para sport and athletes achieving.”
The wider HPSNZ support team – which includes nutritionist Sara Richardson, strength and conditioner Mike Jacobs, physio Pete Gallagher and before that Helen Littleworth, long-time massage therapist, Yvette Latta, athlete life support, Nat Fraser and sport psychologist Rod Corbin have also contributed to Holly’s journey to the Paralympic podium.
“When I talk about Team Robinson these people – with so much knowledge in their area of expertise – all put their piece into the pot to make me a better athlete,” she explains. “I love their commitment to my goals. They’ve been a big part of my journey and I’m very thankful for the support I’ve received over the years.”
Holly also says a big thank you to her two athletics clubs in her career – Greymouth AC and Athletics Taieri – for their overwhelming support and last, but not least, the role her fiancé Geoff Wingfield has played during their five years together.
“I was already competing in sport at a professional level when we first met but it is nice to come home and talk to someone who is not part of that community, so I can talk to him through a different lens,” she says. “He knows me really well, has learned to deal with me when times get stressful leading into a competition – he just gets me and what I need, which is a great thing to bring to a relationship.”
