Coates grew up in south London, with her brother Gary, and trained at the ice rink in Streatham.
Competing with Alan Abretti, she won silver medals at the 1985 and 1986 British Championships and at the 1986 Fujifilm Trophy.
[2] Having begun her coaching career in England, Coates relocated to the United States in 1992.
[3] With former coaching partner Igor Shpilband, she was awarded the 1998 United States Olympic Committee "Coach of the Year" for Figure Skating.
In 2000, Coates was awarded the "Coach of the Year" by the Professional Skaters Association (PSA)[4] She has returned to England and currently works as a coach in London.