Coaching!

Coaching Juniors: 30+ Years of Lessons, Passion, and Perspective

After 32 years as a Physical Education teacher and coach, I’ve seen it all—muddy boots, tough losses, nail-biting wins, and everything in between. I've been fortunate to work with junior athletes across a huge range of sports: AFL, soccer, badminton, touch football, softball, basketball, hockey, athletics, cycling, swimming, triathlon, and cross country.

If you can name it, there’s a good chance I’ve coached or managed it.

It’s More Than Just the Game

What I’ve learned over the years is that coaching juniors goes far beyond tactics and technique. The real challenge? Understanding the young person in front of you—what drives them, how they connect with others, and how to help them feel like they belong in the team or training group.

In fact, the psychology of coaching is often more important than the training itself. You can write the perfect session on paper, but if your athletes aren’t mentally engaged or don’t feel supported, you’re missing the mark.

Coaching for the Right Reasons

If you’re thinking about coaching, my advice is simple: do it for the right reasons. It’s a lesson I learned early on, back when I first arrived in Australia and started coaching basketball. That experience taught me something that has stuck with me ever since:

It’s never about you. It’s always about the athlete.

That shift in mindset changed everything for me.

Why I Stand Away from the Crowd

These days, when my athletes are competing, I tend to keep away from the noise and the sidelines packed with parents. I prefer to be in a spot where the athlete can hear my voice and know I’m there with them—focused, calm, and present.

That probably started with watching my own son compete in junior triathlon. I learned that my job wasn’t to be the loudest voice in the crowd—it was to be the most consistent presence when it mattered.

Reflection and Drive

I’m a competitive person by nature. When my athletes race, I feel every step with them. And after the race is done, I often spend hours reflecting—what could I have done better? How can I help them improve? What do they need next?

It’s something I love, but it’s also something I wrestle with. Coaching is demanding. It stays with you long after the whistle blows or the finish line is crossed.

Coaching Is My Passion

At the end of the day, coaching is my passion. I do it because I care deeply about the journey, the relationships, and the opportunity to help young athletes grow—not just in sport, but in life.

Thirty two years in, and I’m still learning, still evolving, and still loving it.