Coach Development
The University of Lethbridge Pronghorn Athletics, the Lethbridge Sport Council, and FSQ Sport Consulting are thrilled to announce the launch of the Lethbridge Coach Development Initiative.
Whether you're coaching at a participation or competitive level of sport, this course will address and simplify many of the relevant topics you'll experience on your development journey. By the end of the course, you will have:
- A clear understanding of where you are on your coach development pathway
- A deeper understanding of issues affecting participation and sport development
- Key concepts that are foundational to a player-centered experience
- Practical knowledge on how to activate and operationalize these concepts in real-world settings
Course Overview
This course focuses on enhancing soft skills, such as active listening, empathy, and effective communication, to help coaches improve their relationships with players and parents. By developing these skills, coaches can build trust and rapport, better understand their players' needs, and tailor their coaching style for better outcomes. Moreover, improving soft skills can also help coaches manage their emotions and stress, leading to improved effectiveness, enjoyment, and longevity in their coaching career.
Module 1
In this module, we will explore the current state of the sports landscape and the opportunities for coaching within it. We will also delve into the culture of our coaching organization, including our vision, mission, and values, and how we can live these out in our day-to-day work. We will discuss the importance of goal setting and motivation in coaching, and reflect on the type of coach we want to be. Finally, we will cover the tenets of quality sport management and where our curriculum is derived from, as well as the values of our stakeholders and how we can deliver on them.
Accompanying downloads:
- Activating Player Development in your club
- Association Engagement Letter
- AGM key performance indicators
Module 2
What is Player Development? In this module, we will introduce the concept of player development and explore the gaps and opportunities in this area. We will discuss the 5C's of athlete development and the concept of Long- Term Player Development.
Accompanying downloads:
- Activating culture in practice & competition
- Activating confidence in practice & competition
- Activating character in practice & competition
- Activating connections in practice & competition
Module 3
Theory of Actioning Player Development. In this module, we will delve into the practical steps involved in activating player development. We will start by establishing a baseline through player assessment, and then move on to creating age and stage-appropriate learning environments. We will also explore the importance of incorporating and articulating all facets of physical fitness, including speed, strength, endurance, agility, balance, flexibility, and power. We will discuss the concept of periodization and how it relates to player development, and how to prepare for it.
Accompanying downloads:
- Assessing Physical Competence
- Assessing culture, character, connection, confidence
- Activating Technical / Tactical Competence in Practice & Competition
- Sample Physical Training Progression
Module 4
Practically Setting the Stage for Development Success. In this module, we will delve into the practical aspects of setting the stage for development success. We will cover topics such as setting expectations, ensuring safety, making ethical decisions, and promoting inclusion. We will also discuss the importance of recording and reporting incidents, and provide tools to support coaches in their work. We will also provide a detailed example of a structured coaching session, including a pre-session checklist and a step-by-step guide to the session itself.
Accompanying Downloads:
- Pre Session Checklist
- Post Session Checklist
Module 5
Communication, Conflict Management & Self Care. In this module, we will focus on effective communication with players and parents. We will explore different strategies and techniques for effectively communicating with these groups, and provide tips and best practices for successful communication. We will also cover the essential skills needed to effectively manage conflicts that may arise in the coaching environment. We will discuss strategies for resolving conflicts and maintaining a positive and productive team culture. We will also touch on the importance of collaboration and self-care as essentials in extending your coaching career.
Accompanying Downloads:
- 48-week periodized coach communications
Meet the Instructors
Master coach developers Russell Earnshaw And Matt Young are coming to the University of Lethbridge April 14th & 15th to help you master the non technical aspects of coaching. Graeme Moffat will be providing ongoing support to all conference attendees.
Russell Earnshaw
A Cambridge graduate with an MA in Economics & Math, Russell's experience spans sport from winning the European Cup as a player to competing & coaching in the Commonwealth Games, World Cups and World Championships. Over a two year sabbatical teaching Russell spent three years heading up coach development for the RFU across the talent pathway supporting players and coaches.
Over the last five years, Russell has worked across multiple sports (including GB Hockey, British Swimming, the FA, British Triathlon and the Australian Institute of Sport) and in business (Google Abbott and the NHS among others) with a focus on developing people and sustaining success in high-performing teams. "The CARDS model, which Russell originally co-created, has helped us to explore the full potential of leaders, teams and individuals at Google and beyond, which again, is down to the focus on skills and capability that can be adapted and transferred." shares Kirk Vallis (Global Head of Creative Development at Google)
Matt Young
Matt Young is a globally recognized expert in turning Player Development from academic theory into a viable operating system. With over twenty-seven-thousand hours of coaching over twenty-five years, Matt understands the process of on-boarding stakeholders towards a common goal.
Matt has been recognized for his contributions to better health and sport, winning Caldwell Partners' Canadian Top 40 Under 40 business award. He has consulted 8 countries, 5 Olympic Federations, 32 National and Regional Governing Bodies, 2 Professional Leagues, 7 Universities, in the name of increased health, wellness, and sport. Most recently hired by the PGA of America to help develop their player development pathway, Matt is keen to share his experiences with you
Graeme Moffat
Graeme Moffat has a BA in Sport and Exercise Science and a BA in Teaching Qualification for Further Education from Napier University and Aberdeen University respectively. With over 2 decades of experience in sport operations, sport development, and athlete development, Graeme is a driven leader with a wealth of experience. His accomplishments reflect outstanding leadership skills and a long-term focus on maximizing potential and productivity. Currently, Graeme is the head rugby coach for the Pronghorn's Women's Rugby team, and Manager of High Performance Coaching at the University of Lethbridge. Prior to joining the Pronghorns, Graeme was part of the coaching staff for the Rugby Canada National team, being awarded the 2015 Coach of the Year award.
Register for the interactive Pronghorn Athletics Coach Conference that will kick off the Lethbridge Coach Development Initiative with on-going support, from weekly touch points and chat rooms, to quarterly masterclass webinars and annual summit invitations. This initiative is specifically designed for aspiring and volunteer coaches who want to take the next step in their coaching journey.
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