The ICAF Conference

I have been going to coaching conferences, conventions, etc since about 1976. I did my first coaching course in 1961 and my last coaching examination in 1977. The first coaching course was held at Jordanhill under the instruction of the famous Messrs Livingston and Dickenson (who became the Scottsh rugby coach) and in company with seven other senior club members. The club needed coaches and we all felt that if we were going to coach, then we should know something about the events and the course covered basic instruction in every track and field event. At least we were more confident when we made our mistakes! It was at the level of the old Assistant Club Coach and the current Club Coach Level One. I was then coaching as well as running until 1966 and only started coaching again in the mid 70's when approached by Robert McWatt. I did the Senior Coach exam in 1977 because the other qualified coach in the club was John Tonner and some of his runners were saying that THEIR coach was a Senior Coach whereas I was only a club coach. It also gave me access to information that was circulated automatically to all Senior Coaches and made me a better coach. I joined the British Milers Club for the same reason - the information and contacts made me a better coach. Every coach who only has his own experiences to use as a basis for his coaching is limiting what his runners can do. All coaches should read as much as possible, talk to as many coaches as possible, know as much about the current scene in the country in their events as possible.
I started going to Coaching Conventions to meet other coaches and earwig on conversations and get notes and opinions about the sport. I succeeded on all of these. The one at the weekend was outstanding in my experience and much much better than the previous European Convention in 2008. First there were many more people to talk to, second the calibre of the leaders and speakers was a whole lot higher and the feel good factor for coaches was immeasurable. And how many coaches were there from the East End of Dunbartonshire and the West End of Glasgow? One from CH (me), two from Victoria Park/CoG (Sheila Atkinson and Bill Parker) and one from West Dunbarton AAC (Bob Burness).
Frank Dick has started using among his expressions - and he has many - the one that the only advantage that the coach has is the ability to learn faster than the opposition. Another quote from someone else whom I have forgotten is that the athlete should not be restricted by his coach's limitations. I used to ask other coaches to take sessions where I was relatively weak - eg in 1985 I asked Ian Robertson, Sandra Whittaker's coach, to do some speed work with Sam Wallace and Ian also did some work with Peter Halpin when he was running 400's; I also asked help from Jimmy Campbell, Tommy Bryce and others. Tommy Boyle used the assistance from a whole team if people including Stuart Hogg. All coaches have their limitations and need to fill the gaps by learning - there are many ways to learn and for all of my coaching career I have sought information that would give my athletes a competitive advantage over the opposition. If you need help with some aspect of training your athletes, ask someone!
We need more coaches in the club - many of the best coaches are parents, many are ex athletes - and we need to make sure that they are prepared and helped in every way to learn their trade. Who knows where it might lead?