Teah M

#Participation is the key to everything...think about it. Statement 1: "We've tested this kid. He's got a massive VO2 max, incredible acceleration, amazing agility and power scores off the chart". Statement 2: He hates the #sport. He doesn't come to training. Statement 1: "We've got the latest, state of the art training, strength / conditioning and recovery facilities. Best in the world". Statement 2: Kids don't connect with or like the #coach. So they don't come to training. Statement 1: "This kid's the most talented 11 year old we've ever seen in this sport. They could be anything". Statement 2: Her friends stopped playing at 14. She dropped out at 15. It really is this simple. Make it fun. Create the environment where friendships are formed and grow. Make it safe. Make it engaging. Build relationships then....when they turn up regularly, show them how amazing your sport, your club and your people can be. The only kid who can't get better, is the one who is not there! There is no PERFORMANCE without PARTICIPATION!

In every sport, there's a large number of people who - when presented with new ideas, stand firm and say, "That's not the way we do it here". As a young #coach, you need to decide how you deal with this. OPTION 1 - Agree with them and don't try to change anything. OPTION 2 - Disagree with them and push ahead with your idea anyway. OPTION 3 - Listen to their reasoning, present an intelligent and inspired counter-argument and seek ways to influence their thinking over time through your results. Remember this, eager young space cadets: Not everything that's old and established is WRONG. Not everything new and innovative is RIGHT. Too many sports throw out all the old, established expertise (and experts) to follow the latest fads and the most vocal social media gurus when the reality is that a combination of what we know - and what we DON'T know is usually the best way forward.