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From: wayne walker
Date: 12/24/2002
Time: 8:30:52 PM
Remote Name: 213.249.145.174
I think organising a well scripted and time consuming discussion meeting three times and being let down three times without prior warning is effort enough.But maybe i could have handled things differently.However there were other issues involved.
Whilst this is not directed at Paul, athletes have to realise ,ultimately for their own good,that the coach has passions and a need to be professional themselves(or at least ought to have) and often under intense pressure, ie a lack of resources too much politics, and working within a system that produces amongst others the "i'll do what i want to do ,when i want to do it mentality..." Some of these issues have been described in the debate on British Middle distance running and these all conspire to frustrate the coach from doing his 'job'.Of course the coach don't always get it right.
Whilst the over- riding concern is for the welfare of the athlete the coach shouldnt become just a 'bag carrier' either.
I hope when we come to discuss 'what the individual athlete needs' in order to be effective in the current British climate; that Humility and responsibility are close to the top of the list.This ensures the athlete, who in my experience are often BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY self centred ,(DONT get this mixed up with having a killer instinct!)has a better understanding of the needs of others and their place in the team effort to get them to the top.This then is the background to which a mature and almost exciting quest for knowledge between athlete and coach (which benefits both)can be undertaken.This 'shared experience' for me is what coaching is all about irrespective of the quality of the athlete.
I am happy to say that i feel i am getting this from most of 'my' current crop of athletes and i am extremely motivated and excited about the journey ahead.I KNOW it will be a bumpy ride it always has been but as Paul so rightly describes, coaching is like a marriage but where there is a will there is a way.
Maybe we could have some comments from people who actually coach on a regular basis and in a serious way to add some breadth to ALL the issues being raised on this discussion page?
Finally, As i said good luck to you Paul you deserve to do well in the sport because you are dedicated, and apart from the odd beer, professional and this alone is worthy of success!
This is my final word on the matter also.