Coaching Philosophy

 

I firmly believe that training should be fun and relaxed for all, whilst trying to achieve our best. Therefore I will never force primary students to come to training all 3 sessions a week as I don't believe it is necessary. They are growing, developing and changing too rapidly to know where they will 'end up' in terms of their abilities and/or physical structure.

 

I also firmly believe that secondary age students from about 15yrs on, really need to focus on their sport and for this reason I strongly encourage them to make an effort to make it to all three sessions each week. I have always made my squad open to all and would hate to turn athletes away, but at the same time some athletes require more attention as they approach state championships, and I don't really feel that it is fair at these times that occasional trainers just drop invtherefore athletes and parents must be commited to the long term athlete development. I also find it difficult to claim or assert that I am the coach of an athlete that a) drops in once in a blue moon or just in the three weeks before the zone, or b) trains with me aswell as other coaches without consulting me. Remember 'to many cooks generally spoil the broth'.

 

In my Primary training Program I will always focus on an overall program that develops all components of fitness rather than focussing on specific events. Only after 15 do I like to specialise in any way shape or form.

 

My aim is for long term athlete development, not just the one race wonder. My aim is to see my athletes continue with the sport beyond High School, when the really exciting part of your athletic career has its greatest potential. Functional Movement  activity/exercise is the cornerstone of my coaching practice, and based largely on the teachings of Vern Gambetta.

 

I believe very firmly in 'Growth Mindset' philosophy which praises the effort to develop a growth mentality rather than focusing on the performance which is a fixed menatality, particularly when bpdy shapes and sizes change so much during the growth and development of the young athlete in the 11-15yrs age group.