The Derbyshire ASA County Youth & Age Group Championships 2005
An Analysis by Club Coach, Alan Marsh
These are the questions that I as the coach ask myself and what the swimmers and parents should be asking, after all, silver is a wonderful colour, although King Midas never bothered with it.
I believe that, "we did it" by building the moral of the club. The team spirit is back and the swimmers are happy, a happy worker produces more. We have a dedicated team of teachers and coaches, volunteers who turn up week in week out, many of whom are still coaching ten years after their children left. Without them coaching 6 lanes of swimmers would be impossible, and yes we do need more volunteers.
The amount of training available has increased and a small number of swimmers are taking advantage of the extra water time. I don't intend to have a minimum number of sessions that a swimmer must attend, because I believe if a swimmer enjoys their chosen sport and enjoys the training, they will be motivated and will attend more sessions. You can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink, many people have tried and failed.
I believe that it is my job to create an environment that is enjoyable to train in. To develop a training programme that is challenging and varied. To develop a competition programme that is appropriate to all of the swimmers in the club.
It is the job of each swimmer to think what it is they wish to achieve from their chosen sport, and if you think it looks cool with one of those gold gongs around your neck, let's discuss how we go about getting one. Nothing is impossible, it just hasn't happened yet!
Parents, the support team, Schumacher wouldn't look so good if he had to juice his own car and change his own tyres. Support your young athletes, especially if a race goes wrong, encourage them don't criticise them, remember it's not the end of the world. For any parent that thinks that their little athlete doesn't train or perform well, you are cordially invited to enter the Masters' races at our club championships in November.
Finally, swimmers enjoy the success that you have earnt with your hard training, remember that the 14th of March 2005, is day 1 of the journey towards the 2006 Championships…let's do it!