Andy Stewart

Here's another thought on coach education. Five years from now - if you're a University offering #coach education degrees or a sport delivering coaching courses, what will be in your actual course?? 1. I don't need periodization - AI can write my programs. 2. I don't need workout design, session design, training session design - I can buy these on line, download them for free or AI can do it. 3. I don't need biomechanics - there are apps which can analyze technique and tell me how to fix it. 4. I don't need sports nutrition - there are apps where athletes can write up their eating diary and the app will give them a better diet plan. So what's left? 1. Building relationships, creating connections, inspiring athletes. 2. Building relationships, creating connections and working with parents / carers. 3. How to build and create learning and coaching environments where participants learn fast, learn effectively and improve quickly. 4. Skill development. 5. Mind / emotional management skills. 6. Personal wellbeing / welfare / holistic approach to sports training and performance. If you're running a #coacheducation program at any level, I'd be taking a long, hard look at what you're including in your syllabus and make some serious plans for significant change.

On my recent journey's around Europe, a CEO of a national sporting organization asked me "how can we grow our participation numbers?" I replied, "Invest in your #coaches". "Why?", she said. "Because ultimately, your sport IS your #coaches. Coaches and #coaching are the connection - the relationship builders - the deliverers of the experience of your sport. No matter what your strategic plan says or what your marketing plan might be, in the end, your sport is delivered day to day by your coaches. Invest in them - and your sport's success is assured".