Rachael Finch plays catch with her daughter before tennis lessons

By Monique Friedlander For Daily Mail Australia

03:25 13 Jun 2024, updated 03:25 13 Jun 2024

She recently raised eyebrows for running behind her daughter Violet, eight while screaming words of encouragement during a school cross-country race. 

And fitness influencer Rachael Finch, 35, showcased her hands-on approach to parenting as she tried to hone Violet’s hand-eye coordination during a game of catch on Wednesday. 

Rachael, 35, was spotted throwing a tennis ball to Violet for a few minutes outside a tennis court in Sydney as they waited for the youngster’s tennis lesson to start. 

They were joined by Rachael’s husband, professional ballroom dancer Michael Miziner, who watched on from the sidelines. 

Rachael put on an enthusiastic display throughout the impromptu training session, crouching down on her knees as she waited for Violet to lob the ball back at her before darting to catch it. 

Violet also appeared to be having fun as she darted around, trying to return her mother’s throws. 

At one stage, however, Violet appeared to become bored with the game and ran into her father’s arms for a hug. 

Michael beamed as he drew in his lookalike daughter for a kiss on the forehead, leaving Rachael to catch her breath nearby. 

Looking every inch the glamorous soccer mum, Rachael dressed in a stylish black puffer jacket by Aje Athletica worth around $195, layered over a beige knit jumper and black leggings. 

The former Miss Universe Australia completed her look with long white socks and sneakers, while slicking her hair back into a ballerina bun.

Michael, who also shares five-year-old son Dominic with wife Rachael, meanwhile dressed in a Hugo Boss puffer jacket worth around $500 layered over a beige knit jumper and blue jeans. 

Like his wife, the dancer tied his long dark hair back into a bun. 

It comes after Rachael caused controversy when she uploaded a video of herself jogging behind Violet while screaming words of encouragement as she competed against her peers. 

Rachael responded to those who criticised her approach to parenting in an Instagram video on May 30 and insisted she was just ‘motivating her child to do her best’.

‘Just a quick message to anyone wanting to criticise or personally attack me for wanting to support, encourage and motivate my child to do the very best that she can do,’ she said.

‘Just a couple of things. One, check your facts. And two, check back in eight or so years when Violet is an adult to see the progress.’

Journalists Amy, Kate and Sophie Taeuber meanwhile took aim at the mummy blogger on their Outspoken podcast.

‘I first saw people talking about this online before seeing the video, and at first I was like, “Oh, she’s probably just one of those supportive parents.” But this was the next level,’ one sister said.

‘I don’t understand how this school let her run behind her child during the race. Surely it would have been really off putting for the other kids?’ another agreed. 

One sister pointed out that there would have been plenty of children running behind Rachael, given that Violet placed 12th out of 100.

‘Can you imagine the other mums there seeing this? [They’d be asking], “Why the hell is she allowed at the school on the course?”‘ another added.

While the triplets commended Rachael for showing interest in her daughter’s school activities, they claimed her behaviour that day ‘seemed a bit odd’.

‘It seems like she’s vicariously living through her child because this seemed to be one of her dreams,’ one podcaster said, as another agreed: ‘Oh, it was very difficult to watch.’

One sister insisted: ‘I would be pretty p**sed off if I was a parent at this school.

‘[Imagine if] I’m very excited for my child to be competing in this race, but I’m thinking, “Well, no wonder my child didn’t do so well when they’ve got the advantage of having their mum there breathing down their neck, telling them to keep going.”‘

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