Coaching Insight Volume 8 | Page 13

Taking Responsibility Coaching is so important to aid sustainability of clubs, which mainly form the foundation of our game. Coaching is largely about understanding people and improvement of coaches is equally about a journey of continual learning. A community and network of coaches committed to their own development can only be a good thing for the players they inspire, support, develop and enhance. On the basis of the above, many clubs are now beginning to focus more on developing their coaches as a priority, essentially discussing how best they engage with and develop their existing coaches and recruit and support new coaches, as this in turn is helping them to retain more players and recruit future players. Some examples of this focus are: • Developing mentoring relationships • Digital support – read, watch videos, use icoachcricket • Coaches are encouraged to continue to be a member or become a member of the ECB Coaches Association – the more members, the more support can be offered • Coaches are encouraged to attend seminars, workshops, conferences and other courses • Coaches share ideas, learn from each other, discover best practice and communicate with each other frequently • Coaches consider themselves as learners, continually thirsty for knowledge. There are clearly other factors that affect coaching in a club environment, namely 11