Good afternoon Sport Matter,
As 2009 is coming to an end, it has given me the opportunity to think about the last ten years. Having completed my field hockey career at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, this year marks a decade of growing slower, rounder and, arguably, wiser.
It also provides an occasion to reflect on the past and, in this case, to consider some innovations of recent years that will continue to influence the coming decade. Here is the first of many conversation starters for your next planning meeting at the pub.
Professional Coaching
It’s hard to call this an innovation because it has always been thus – nothing makes a bigger difference in sport than an exceptional coach. So much has changed in that part of the sport system in the past 10 years – a new organization with a full service offering, many new employment opportunities, integrated support teams at the national level, and a sustained repatriation of Canadian talent who we had lost to other nations. Yes, there is still more to do to support them but the impact of our coaches on our national system is felt more today than in 2000 – no question about it.
Check back next week for thoughts on another innovation in sport!
Have a safe and happy holidays,
Ian
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