Meet Our Coaches

Coach Mike started being involved in PCFS training sessions as a safety cyclist in December 2024, following a recommendation from a fellow cycling coach. His passion for cycling led him to step up and take on the role of a coach for PCFS shortly after.

He is highly encouraged by the great teamwork that the PCFS team has displayed, as well as the helpfulness of fellow coaches, volunteers and caregivers. He expressed, “The work is very meaningful for me, and I hope others can also come forward to assist in any way possible.”

Coach Samuel first met Coach Manaf and Coach Baby in 2017. Their hand-cycling program left an inspiring impression of dedication, as the community trained in the early mornings and nights at ITE Simei’s Stadium track weekly, where Samuel was coaching the archery program. Post-pandemic, Samuel eventually came on board as volunteer media support for PCFS in 2023, photographing the paracyclists and the community, and then as VP and pro bono volunteer coach with PCFS in 2026.

Coach Samuel is a firm believer in community action advocacy and in being a catalyst for holistic health and wellness. With both a BSc in Sports Coaching and a pedagogical certificate in technical education, Samuel has been serving as a lecturer-mentor in Physical Education and Sports for 13 years. He is a seasoned multi-sports coach with a firm grounding in outdoor education, sports coaching and corporate facilitation for the past two decades.

His booming voice is often heard while he coaches, as he works to leverage the power of edutainment in personal and leadership development programs. He hopes to kindle the spark in youth and the young at heart, working passionately to bolster structural growth opportunities for greater equity in community empowerment, leadership training, outdoor adventure education, sports coaching, and martial arts.

Prakash joined PCFS as a coach early 2025 with an aspiration to help athletes realise and achieve their potential and beyond. His primary role is assisting the head coach in developing athletes.

Hoping to stay the long haul, Prakash enjoys spending time with the athletes and he is encouraged by the wonderful people associated with PCFS that include fellow coaches, volunteers and other staff members.

Armed with a positive attitude, Prakash has a mantra that he loves to share, “Believe in yourself, work hard and make dreams come true.”

When did you come to PCFS?
I joined PCFS in April 2026. It feels like a place I’m comfortable in.

What brought you to PCFS?
I was introduced to Yvette through a close friend and mentor who knows my heart for people. With my background in coaching and fitness, plus my love for cycling, it just felt like a good fit. When I heard about what PCFS does, I didn’t overthink it – why not come and see how I can help.

What inspired you to continue to stay on and be part of PCFS?
On my first day, Yvette told me to take 3 sessions to observe before deciding if this was for me. But honestly, by the second session, I already knew I wanted to stay.

It’s really the people. Yvette’s dedication is very real, and you can see how much she cares. The volunteers and caregivers are very genuine — warm, patient, and really present with the athletes. And the athletes — seeing their smiles, their effort, and the joy they spent on the track…it stays with you. It makes you reflect a bit. You come thinking you’re here to give your time, but somehow you walk away feeling like you’ve received something more. It’s simple, but very meaningful.

What were some roles you played in the beginning and how has your role changed?
So far, I’ve mainly been helping out — setting up bikes, getting things ready, and supporting the athletes during sessions. Small things, but important ones. As I get more comfortable, I’d like to step in a bit more, maybe guide parts of the session and support each athlete based on what they need.

What do you enjoy/like about coaching PCFS?
I like that it doesn’t feel transactional. Even though it’s called volunteering, it feels like being part of a community.
It’s nice to see how, on my first day I felt welcomed. Yvette and the coaches introduced me to the family and the athletes were exchanging greetings and sharing their proud moments with me. Those moments are quite special.

What is a favourite/memorable coaching moment in PCFS?
Still early for me, but the moments that stand out are the small ones — the smiles, the little wins. Those are the moments that stick.

What would you like to share with those considering joining PCFS?
Just come with a willing heart. You don’t need to have everything figured out. Be present, be patient, and just be open to learning. For me, my faith reminds me that what I’ve been given is meant to be shared, but being here also reminded me that you receive a lot in return too, sometimes in ways you don’t expect.

Coach Manaf joined PCFS in 2011 after an introduction by a Club Rainbow social worker for disabled sports. He started with providing caregiver support and slowly moved on to assisting with bike maintenance. He was later approached by the head coach for help to coach the Development Team.

Through the years, he has been inspired by the perseverance and determination of the athletes to progress and improve in the sport. This drives him to learn more and grow in knowledge so that he can keep assisting them.

Coach Manaf claims that his most memorable moment in PCFS was his involvement the first Para Cycling World Cup. It was an incredible experience to see the bigger players in action and how the team works on different levels.

He offers his insights to potential volunteers and coaches, “Para sports is very unique. Different individuals progress and adsorbed training in their own ways. Their physical and emotional parts at times tune them off. As a volunteer or coach, he or she needs to understand that training programmes do not fit all para individuals. At times we really need to make the hard decision that the athletes have already maxed out and to aggress more might do harm than progress.”

In 2017, Coach Athena started working with PCFS, after searching for an opportunity to volunteer within the cycling community. Through the years, she has been inspired by being able to journey with the athletes and witnessing their growth.

While Athena has been largely coaching to various extents with the development team, she undertook some team manager duties from 2019-2022 as well. She enjoys coaching para athletes as it presents very different challenges compared to coaching able-bodied athletes, and it’s been quite fun working with them to figure out what works.

When asked about her favourite coaching moments in PCFS, Athena fondly remembers, “When Sebastian (tricyclist) hit 30kph for the first time on his trike, that was certainly memorable. When Steve (tandem cyclist) completed his Individual Pursuit race at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, that was a big moment too – immense relief and pride.”

If you are considering to be part of the PCFS team, Athena believes that you don’t need to be a strong cyclist to help out as coaches or volunteers – if you find you’ve got a heart for para athletes, that’s already a great start.

Coach Yvette started volunteering with PCFS in 2007/2008 when was a Sport Management Student with ITE College East Simei. One day, she was outside her classroom, and she saw some athletes training on the bike at the track. Curious at what the athletes were doing, she asked them how she could help. The rest is history, and she has stayed on for the last 17 years.

She started by helping to carry the bikes during training sessions and cleaning them. She moved on to coaching the athletes. Today, she is leading the PCFS organisation. What kept her at PCFS throughout these years were the love and passion for all, and stopping for the ONE (athletes, caregivers, volunteers and coaches).

Yvette enjoys coaching para athletes, as well as seeing them grow, shine and excel not only on the bike but as a person. She also enjoys working with the caregivers, coaches and the volunteers. Watching the athletes give their best on the bike brings a smile on her face.

To those who are considering joining PCFS, Yvette expresses, “I always tell people, you should stay in a job for about six months before you decide if that’s the job for you. If you are keen to volunteer, do it with us for three to six months. And you will know whether this is the right group for you to volunteer in any way. You will be surprised at what you can learn from this group of BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE.”

Get to know more about Yvette’s passion for volunteering in this article.

Coach Baby visited PCFS in 2016 as part of a community outreach program by his employer, Citibank. This visit happened at the perfect time as he was inspired by volunteers who were already working with PCFS and had always wanted to do something to help the community.

In the beginning, he helped set up the cycling equipment and returned them back to the store during training sessions. Back then, he did not know how to pump the tyres or even the basics of cycling. As he continued interacting with the PCFS community, he enjoyed the way he was made to feel like a member of the family, the love and affection from the cyclists and the satisfaction in being able to help. Through the years, he has since mastered the basics of cycling and how to help cyclists who need assistance.

As a coach, his favourite moments are the way cyclists, especially the recreational ones, react when participating in competitions and win prizes. He enjoys witnessing their sense of achievement and their pride reflected in their smiles.

For those who are considering being a part of the PCFS team, Coach Baby reckons that if you just give a few sessions a try, chances are you may not leave!