Providing support for coaches is the key outcome of a coach development programme currently being implemented by Hockey Northland. With Lloyd Gurr as a trained Coach Developer and Jena Huntington, Hockey Participation Officer, training to become a Coach Developer, Hockey Northland have placed a focus on the development of coaching. This means that Coaches have been able to start to align their own development to player development. As players learn and develop, they improve their skills and game knowledge, in a similar way coaches can improve their coaching skills and practice of the how’s of coaching.

For four weeks on Monday and Friday evenings, participants from U13, U15 and U18 age groups can attend development training sessions taken by coaching staff. Representative coaches attend and contribute to the skill development and coaches are encouraged to attend to grow their knowledge.

The programme is designed by Coach Developer Lloyd Gurr who works with all levels of coaches who lead the sessions mainly on the ‘how’ of coaching. In his capacity as Coach Developer trainer, Sport Northland Coaching Lead Grant Harrison attends some sessions to observe and provide feedback on the development of the coaches and the work of the Coach Developers as part of this Coach Development programme. “As the programme has gone on, I have noticed changes in the way the coaches are working with athletes. The sessions are becoming athlete-centred and responsibility for development is given to the athlete by using questioning and feedback, rather than directive instruction,” Grant says and goes onto explain, “it is a good move to align player and coach development and we should see richer developmental progress. Player development leads to improved skill and game understanding, similarly coach development will see improved coaching. Both will affect the experience that players and coaches have and therefore impact their retention”.

Lloyd the Coach Developer responsible for the programme said “we have up to 80 players registered in total and up to about 60 players here a night and about 10-12 coaches over the duration. The programme is important as Coaching is a significant focus in the Hockey Northland strategic plan. Without coaches, sustaining the quality of delivery to the ever-growing numbers we will be soon in trouble, and quality coaches can have a significant impact on the player experience and retention in the game.”

One parent enthused “it’s great, anyone can go along, and the coaching is really good”

For more information on the Coach Developer programme contact Grant Harrison Coaching Lead at Sport Northland granth@sportnorth.co.nz