2024 Performance Coach Development for Clubs programme launched
The three clubs selected for the 2024 programme – City of Bristol RC, Derby RC and Pengwern RC – embarked on their year-long journey with a launch day at the National Training Centre, Caversham on 27 October
PCDP for Clubs participants with their Coach Developers at the National Training Centre in Caversham.
The day began with Peter Sheppard, Lead Olympic Pathway Coach, and Robin Williams, PCDP Coach Developer outlining the vision to support and develop more performance coaches through developing clubs to support athletes aspiring to join the performance pathway.
The discussion focused on how to create a performance environment in their clubs, the physical, technical and psychological characteristics they should be considering when benchmarking and developing their athletes, and support to shape their three-year club performance development plan.
The clubs were joined by some of the 2023 Performance Coach Development Programme coaches and the Tyne ARC coaching team, who were part of the programme last year.
The coaches shared their experience of being part of the programme and the impact the programme has had on their clubs and their coaching practice, including:
- Buy-in from a committee to change the layout of the club to create a more effective training environment for junior and seniors, raising training standards for both groups.
- Better understanding of writing training programmes, the effects of training load, injury and illness, prevention and management.
- Using technology such as radios to coach in an environment where there is limited line of sight between the coach and their crews.
- Creating better cohesion in the junior section of a club by giving the juniors a voice in the decision-making process and introducing a parental code of conduct to manage expectation and improve communication.
One coach was able to bring together the 12 coaches at their club every six weeks to discuss the British Rowing technical model through video analysis and talk about how they were communicating during their coaching sessions.
Tyne ARC shared their vision, which includes creating a pathway within the club so rowers felt they had the opportunity to stay at the club rather than having to leave if they wanted to progress their rowing career. They felt this created cohesion within the club and also gave student rowers a club to return to during the holidays or once their studies were completed.
The clubs and coaches on the 2024 programme will be working with Robin Williams to create or build on their club performance plans, including a visit to Caversham to observe the performance environment created at the National Training Centre. They will also have the opportunity to connect with the other coaches on the programme, and each club will have the opportunity to work alongside Robin for a weekend, as well as to reflect on the programmes they are currently delivering and identifying areas for their own personal development.
About the Performance Coach Development Programme for Clubs
This exciting, 12-month programme is designed for clubs looking to develop not only their coaches but their whole performance structure.
Applications open each year in August/September.
