Supporting coaches to be 'prepared rather than planned' - a conversation with Alex Lascu
Jul 25, 2024
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Alex Lascu, a cricket coach with an extensive background in coaching and skill development, shares her insights on transforming coach education. She discusses the system shifts needed to support coaches effectively, emphasizing practical solutions to ease their burdens. The conversation dives into the need for personalized learning experiences, fostering inclusivity, and addressing real-world coaching challenges. Lascu advocates for innovative approaches in community sports coaching, stressing the importance of engagement and recognition for volunteer coaches.
Investment in community sports coaching is essential to alleviate coaches' isolation and support them emotionally and socially.
A shift in coach education towards experiential learning encourages continuous improvement and empowers coaches to take ownership of their development.
Creating an inclusive environment helps to break psychological barriers and enriches the coaching landscape by welcoming diverse skill sets.
Deep dives
The Importance of Audience Growth
The need for increasing the podcast's audience is emphasized, as a larger audience can lead to greater impact on listeners and their communities. The speaker expresses gratitude for listener feedback that highlights the positive effects of the content on personal and professional relationships. To achieve its goals, the podcast aims to enlist the help of listeners for promotion and support. Plans for future episodes include live-streamed content and new co-hosts to enhance engagement and reach.
Coaching as a Community Investment
The podcast focuses on the critical need for investment in community sports coaching, highlighting the challenges faced by coaches who often operate in isolation. Recognition of the emotional and social complexities involved in coaching young athletes is paramount. The speaker advocates for a community approach where coaches are supported and acknowledged for their roles, with an emphasis on the importance of building trust and relationships within the coaching environment. This support system is essential for retaining coaches and preventing burnout.
Coach Education and Development
The discussion about coach education emphasizes a shift away from traditional models that prioritize qualifications over practical support and ongoing development. The need for innovative methods and frameworks that adapt to the unique contexts of community coaching is acknowledged. The speaker suggests a more experiential approach, where coaches learn through practice and reflection in their own environments rather than through rigid course structures. This model fosters a culture of continuous improvement and empowers coaches to take ownership of their development.
Overcoming Perceived Barriers in Coaching
The dialogue touches on the psychological barriers that prevent potential coaches, especially women, from stepping into coaching roles. The conversation emphasizes the need to change the perception of who can be a coach, promoting qualities like empathy and communication over technical expertise. By creating an inclusive environment that welcomes different skill sets, community sports can harness the talents of a broader range of individuals. This inclusive approach can ultimately enrich the coaching landscape and enhance the experiences of young athletes.
Engaging Coaches in Their Own Contexts
Real-world engagement with coaches in their training environments is highlighted as essential for effective professional development. The speaker advocates for support systems that allow coaches to receive immediate feedback and assistance during their practice sessions. This approach not only enhances learning but also provides instant support to tackle the unique challenges coaches face. By acknowledging the complexities of coaching in various contexts, a more tailored and effective educational experience can be achieved.
Valuing Community Coaches
The necessity of recognizing the value that community coaches bring to their sports and communities is discussed. Efforts must be made to appreciate the time, energy, and resources that volunteers contribute, often without formal acknowledgment. This can include providing small acts of recognition or even financial incentives to show appreciation for their work. Investing in community coaches ensures that they feel valued and supported, ultimately leading to greater satisfaction and retention in their roles.
Alex Lascu is a cricket coach that has doen in depth acadmeic study in coaching and skill development before turning her attention to coach development. She now works for one of the major state sports associations in Australia.
Alex joined me to discuss all things coach educationa and development having listened to my recent 'Coach Education is broken series'. Through the discussion we explore some of the 'system shifts' that I have been covering and how they manifest into her work within cricket. We look at some of the practical solutions that are being implemented and how they seek to address the need to reducce the burden on coaches through enhanced support.
