Beginner Coaching at Strathfield C.C.
14th and 21st March 2006

Eight players from Chatswood, Holroyd, Hunters Hill, Pt. Hacking and Jamberoo clubs participated in a Beginner Coach Workshop held on 14th March, 2006 and on 21st March another 10 players from Adamstown, Bundanoon, Cammeray, Hazelbrook and Sydney clubs took to the courts for a similar workshop.

As State Coaching Director, I was not only delighted to see such a good response to these advertised workshops, but also gratified to see such a diverse group of croquet clubs represented. The other point worth mentioning is that in most cases, there was more than one member from each club. This is important for beginner coaches, as they can work together to produce a coaching programme that is pitched specifically to the needs of their own club. It also means that coaching of new players can be a co-operative effort, so that coaching does not become onerous.

The players who attended were experienced players, who had a good grasp of the game, so the emphasis on the workshop was pitched towards not only the refining of their own skills, but also on a variety of methods which could be employed to 'get the message' across.

The workshops were very much 'hands-on' with plenty of discussion on points that were raised not only by the facilitator of the workshops (Betty Brown), but also many of the players, who had, for the most part, already been involved in coaching within their clubs. Time was also spent on techniques which could be used to identify problems which frequently occur amongst new players - and more importantly, how they can be rectified. The role of a coach within a club was a topic which elicited much keen discussion as was the concept of the term 'role model' as it related to how the game of croquet is played.

The impact of these workshops will only be felt over time. These players have made a great effort to become accredited with the Australian Sports Commission as Beginner Coaches and are to be commended for stepping up to become a skilled coach within their club. Their presence means that new players entering our game will be introduced to the game with the benefit of good skills which will stay with them as long as they play croquet. I hope that many or most of these new coaches will proceed on to become Level 1 coaches, once they have gained confidence and experience on teaching others.

My personal thanks to those players who participated in these sessions. They were keen and enthusiastic and not only determined to improve their own skills but master the new concepts which were introduced, and they did this with laughter and good grace.

State Coaching Director
14th April 2006