Entering the Blogging World

After reading a fellow coaches' blog I have found that it can be a great tool in sharing ideas and thoughts. This is an opportunity to help other coaches out in relation to athletics or other coaching contexts furthermore, this can play a vital part in developing my own coaching performance by analysing all aspects from delivery to running a team.

I have a vast experience in playing in a range of different sports and I am your typical all rounder. I started off playing football from the age of 9 for my local team Akzo Nobel, I was successful in the first 2-3 years with the club with an invitation to train with Burnley Academy. However nothing materialised due to transport and commitment issues and my passion for football was on the decline. During this time I played a lot of cricket and badminton with school,clubs and parents. I enjoyed cricket and badminton as I could use other skills that have been developed by playing on the local field with parents and friends. In year 11 I approached my P.E teacher about having a go at the cross country again as I have participated in year 7 and 8, this is due to decent results on the bleep test and cooper run. After representing the school in year 11 and having had brilliant run I passed my best position of 60+ and finished 7th, after crossing the line I was handed 2 letters one inviting me to run in the Lancashire Schools Cross County Championships and the other one inviting me to join Blackburn Harriers. This is where my interest in athletics took off and lead me to becoming Lancashire Schools 3000m Champion in 2010. Not long after joining the club I started helping out with the under 11's sports hall group.

I have been coaching athletics for the last 3 years at Blackburn Harriers and the club has played a massive part in developing my skills and confidence as a coach. The club has helped me financially to get on the various courses and I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for the fantastic support from the club. Through Blackburn Harriers I have obtained the following qualifications; Athletics Leader Award (level 1), Assistant Coach Award (level 2)and Athletics Coach Award (level 3). I have gradually taken on more responsibility as the years have gone by from being a helper to planning and leading the sessions.

I am currently finishing my BA Hons Sports Coaching degree with UCLan, Preston and I have learnt a vast amount over the 3 year course. The course covers a wide range from learning about the impacts of government policies to coaching styles and methods. I have thoroughly enjoyed the course and feel that I have been equipped with the correct tools to succeed in coaching. I first got into coaching as a football coach, at college I was presented with the opportunity to undertaken a free FA Level 1 and I wanted to get involved in coaching football. As time went by and my exposure with athletics increased I felt that athletics offered more to me as an all rounder. The sport has a lot of skills and techniques to offer athletes and appealed a lot to me.

My involvement in coaching has opened many doors to me and one of them is the opportunity to carry the Olympic torch in Batley on the 25th June 2012. It was a crazy experience that I will never forget and want inspire people to get into sport either participating or coaching. http://youtu.be/JBCmyMb1ldc. I was awarded this life changing opportunity for my commitment to youth sport and my efforts to sustaining youngsters in sport through my volunteer work with Blackburn Harriers.