How I Got Into Coaching

I first became involved in athletics when my 2 sons joined Sandringham Little Athletics Club in 1986. My older son was quite good at discus so I sought out someone to show him how to throw the discus correctly and met Lorraine Morgan. She did a little coaching with Tim and suggested that I do a coaching course. I enrolled in a Level 1 course at Hawthorn Institute of education specialising in Throws. This involved 3 hours per week for 10 weeks then 4 weeks of practical sessions. Then we sat an exam! Tom Hancock was the throws coach who did the practical sessions with the group. I then went back to the Little Aths club and coached some young throwers. Tom had suggested that I go back the following year and do the practical part of Sprints/Hurdles. Roy Boyd was the coach who taught this part of the course. He became a huge part of my coach development encouraging and assisting me at Sandringham.

IThe following year I went back to undertake the Jumps specialisation and settled on coaching High Jump, Long and Triple Jump in the following years. In the mid-nineties I wanted to advance my technical knowledge of the jumps. I was accepted into the Level 2 course held over 2 weeks in Canberra. This involved very long days of study and lectures. We were then given 4 months to prepare for the exams. We had a general exam of 3 hours and then a 2 hour exam on our specialty (in my case Jumps) A few years later I spent a year being assessed for Level 3 (Jumps) which also involved writing a dissertation of 5000 words. During this year my mentor was Dr John Boas. He is a mountain of knowledge and influenced and supported me through that year. We have become long time friends.

My Athletes

My current squad consists of several sprinters, a 400m hurdler and some horizontal jumpers. Jess Milat is a VIS athletes who is in the Australian relay squad and current U20 Australian 200m champion. Jess is hoping to be selected for the World U20 championships later this year.

I have 3 U17 horizontal jumpers who are qualified for Australian championships. I have an Indian Long Jumper who has come to Australia to train with me. He hopes to qualify for World U20 championships this year. I also have 2 developing male sprinters, another female sprinter and a male triple jumper/sprinter all qualified for Australian championships.

And by chance, I have a 400m hurdler who is also going to Adelaide. I have Peter Fitzgerald to thank for assistance with coaching this event.

Objectives

Our objectives as a squad are firstly to respect each other and enjoy training. Consistency in training and ensuring we remain injury free are part of our mantra. By undertaking the right training and managing work/study commitments, diet and sleep, and recovery we can become the best athletes possible.

My Proudest Moment

I have many proud moments from my years of coaching. I love it when one of my athletes achieves a personal best or qualification standard. I coached Don Elgin (long jump) as part of his pentathlon at the paralympics in Sydney and Athens. He made the podium with the bronze medal at both events and I was there to see him compete at both events and jump a PB in long jump at Athens. This would be my favourite!

This season I have seen several of my athletes achieve personal bests and I will have 8 athletes in Adelaide for the Australian championships.

My Advice to Developing Coaches

One piece of advice I would give to developing coaches is to remember each athlete is an individual and will develop at different rates. It is never a “one size fits all” situation. Athletics is a long game so appropriate age related training will help athletes develop to their potential. Undertake coach education and develop your own coaching style. Study the technical aspects of your event and use your eye to understand. Video analysis is a great resource but use your “eye” as well. Motivated to continue: I enjoy the interaction with young people - I think it keeps you young. When I do not want to go to the track will be the day I give it away.

My Experience Coaching in a Club

I have been at Sandringham Athletic Club for all my coaching years. I have mentored/encouraged others to coach and Tom Morehouse and Clodagh Grogan are both doing exceptional jobs as coaches with talented groups of athletes. We all respect each other as coaches and there is plenty of banter at training. There is a good atmosphere and co-operation and it feels like “home”. I have mentored Clodagh Grogan for several years now and I am very proud of what a fantastic coach she has become. I started Tom Morehouse on his journey and he is also a brilliant coach who gets the best from his group of athletes. I am encouraging two of my athletes to pursue coaching. Similar to seeing an athlete improve, it is a great feeling to see a coach develop.

We have a lot of discussion about technical aspects of coaching and shared ideas. Athletes sometimes move between coaches if it is a better option for the athlete. I have always believed that if I am not the best person to coach an athlete then they should move to another situation. I believe I am a facilitator and the athlete should always come before ego.

The main coaches I have to thank for assisting me along the way are Roy Boyd, who supported and encouraged me for many years at Sandringham, John Boas has been a mentor and friend for over 20 years. More recently Peter Fitzgerald has become a friend and sounding board. Having other experienced coaches to discuss technical issues or just training blocks helps to validate what you are doing.

Cathy Woodruff - Coach of the Month