News
HPSNZ Core Knowledge Coaching Programme
Friday, 18 November 2022Back in March, nine Surf Life Saving coaches were accepted onto the HPSNZ Core Knowledge Coaching Programme. The Programme, run by High Performance Sport New Zealand , is action learning through a mix of face to face and online delivery designed to lift core knowledge and critical skills of coaches on the HP Pathway.
Mairangi Bay SLSC’ new Head Coach, Tom Lowe gave us an update of his progress so far:
“I have really enjoyed being a part of the CKP. The connection to other coaches in different codes has been hugely valuable to my own personal development. The conversations and discussion have granted me some new perspectives on coaching which I’ve tried to implement in my day-to-day coaching practice.”
I have attended three workshops so far. Two face-to-face and one online. I have one more face-to-face workshop in a week’s time which I’m pretty amped for!
The face-to-face workshops have been outstanding. Incredibly engaging and interesting. I have always come out the first day excited to go back to day two.
I struggled a wee bit with the online course - although that’s more likely a reflection on how I learn rather than the content, I have always found zoom calls or lectures a little bit tough.
CKP has certainly challenged my perspective on self-perceived issues within Surf. I think in surf we have a tendency to complain about trivial things or blame others for problems we can fix ourselves. That continued and persistent negative talk can have a flow on effect to how athletes perceive the sport we all love so much. Core knowledge has helped me understand that within coaching, most codes or sports face pretty similar problems (especially over the last few years). Hearing how other coaches approached these challenges has been pretty inspiring. It has motivated me to tackle challenges differently - or not view these things as a challenge but more of an opportunity to re-tool and implement positive change.
I like to think that CKP has had a positive impact on the athletes I manage. However, as I’ve just changed coaching positions it’s hard to put down how much the CKP influence has had on my new athletes in comparison to them just getting a different coach.
As a coach I’ve reflected on the importance of opening yourself up to learning, and listening to different voices regardless if you think they’re right or wrong. I think CKP reinforced how important that is.
Similar to how the course has challenged my perspective, I believe in a small sport the perspectives that we interact with on a regular basis is fairly limited. For no other reason than there just aren’t that many surf coaches floating around in NZ! Having the opportunity to pick the brains of coaches from sports like track and field, canoe sprint, snowboarding, equestrian, skateboarding, football and others has been hugely beneficial.
I would recommend if you are considering applying for the CKP or any sort of coaching development programme absolutely do! You’ll meet other passionate people, have a great time chatting about sports, and learn some pretty useful stuff along the way.
I like to think that CKP has had a positive impact on the athletes I manage. However, as I’ve just changed coaching positions it’s hard to put down how much the CKP influence has had on my new athletes in comparison to them just getting a different coach.
As a coach I’ve reflected on the importance of opening yourself up to learning, and listening to different voices regardless if you think they’re right or wrong. I think CKP reinforced how important that is.
Similar to how the course has challenged my perspective, I believe in a small sport the perspectives that we interact with on a regular basis is fairly limited. For no other reason than there just aren’t that many surf coaches floating around in NZ! Having the opportunity to pick the brains of coaches from sports like track and field, canoe sprint, snowboarding, equestrian, skateboarding, football and others has been hugely beneficial.
I would recommend if you are considering applying for the CKP or any sort of coaching development programme absolutely do! You’ll meet other passionate people, have a great time chatting about sports, and learn some pretty useful stuff along the way.