A COACH ’ S COACH
A key evolution in the sporting landscape over the past decade has been the importance placed on coach developers . Talking us through those changes are andy bradshaw and , below , Karen Roberts .
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I think there ’ s a general feeling in the UK sporting landscape that the need for coach developers has only recently been identified , which seems strange because it ’ s the same principle that is at the heart of the coachparticipant relationship : that we ’ re all human beings and we all need help and support at times .
The idea of coach developers , and mentors , has been around for a while but we ’ re now beginning to see a framework around it and understand it a bit better . The important point is that we ’ re not saying coaches aren ’ t good enough , we ’ re just asking how we can be better , which is a really powerful message .
We also need to be clear that their importance isn ’ t limited to the elite area – across all levels and walks of life we ’ re all wanting to improve . It is being driven at the top end , in performance sport , where it has been clearly identified as being important , but we ’ re seeing that cascade down to the grass-roots level – where we are now being proactive rather than reactive with it .
In the same way that you ’ d sometimes like to take an angler out of a situation and work through a process with them , then take them back in to that situation , a coach developer allows that reflection – structured and supportive – required for best performance . It ’ s so easy for us all to be caught up in the moment , so having time taken away from task to actually focus on yourself is really important .
This idea of a coach developer has always been there , because that ’ s exactly what sport is : about giving people the opportunity to find out how good they can be . Funding has changed the landscape over the last 20 years and so have the core mechanisms in place and the understanding of them . Before that we were talking about a large volunteer sector – which we still have – but funding has given us more full-time staff through which we can say : “ It ’ s actually important we do this with your coaches .” We are more confident now about saying “ we want to get better ,” which empowers people further down the chain .
The understanding that coaching is actually a profession which is stronger now than even a decade ago . That has allowed us to put proper structures around the job , which has hugely positive implications .
The first few years of improved funding for sport have been athlete-centred , but without the right coaches around them , the quality of the participation experience can be reduced .
Now we ’ re seeing a shift to saying “ yes , the athletes and participants are the core , but because they are so vital the coaches around them must get the support they need as well .” In a decade or so I ’ d like to think that this won ’ t even be a topic , it ’ ll just be part of the system .
Over the past few years , sports have stepped through and realised the significance of coaching , and the reason sport has been so important in society is because of those really great coaches out there , that can get to the many . We need to make sure they ’ ve got the support they need to do the wonderful job that they do .
Nothing stops you from seeking out a mentor or someone to help with your development . Angling has loads of helpful , experienced coaches who would be happy to be asked about buddying up and what support they can give you . I do hope that we get to a stage where it ’ s not reactionary , where as a coach comes through there is a natural buddying-up system in place . I ’ d also like to see a marrying up of coach education and coach development – so when you ’ re going through your education there are coach developers sat beside them for reflection and to help the coach get the most out of that programme .