Gordon Lord, the ECB's Head of Elite Coach Development, discusses his career with Ian Thomas, Performance Lifestyle Adviser, and offers some insights into coaching as a career option for PCA members.
IT "How did you become interested in Coaching?"
GL "Like most players, I was interested on finding ways to get better and I always found conversations about the game with senior players and coaches fascinating.
I think, on reflection that there were several major influences on my ultimate decision to pursue a career in coaching and coach development
The 6 weeks spent touring Australia in 1979 with "Young England" with Keith Andrew as Head Coach was an inspiration . I understand now just how far Keith was "ahead of his time" as a coach. The following winter, a tour to the West Indies with Graham Saville as Head Coach helped me understand the importance of a coach being able to see the world through the "players eyes" and how important it was to keep things simple
In 1983, during a Second Eleven match between Warwickshire and Northants, Neal Abberley, at the time, Warwickshire's 2nd XI Coach, spoke with me about the concept of "relaxed concentration" and the "performance = potential - interference" equation.
He lent me the Tim Gallwey classic "The Inner Game of Tennis" and I believe, on reflection, that this also inspired me towards a future in Coaching and Coach Development. It was a privilege to be able introduce "Abbers" to Tim Gallwey some 15 years later when he was over in the UK running an elite coaches seminar. Tim's work there has had a profound effect on the development of a number of our current high performance coaches. It is amazing what can grow from a simple action or a few well chosen words.
I had a full year with Warwickshire in 1979/80, in between school and University and during that Winter attended my first Coaching Award course. This course provided some basic guidance on how the game could be introduced to children and was invaluable during my first overseas coaching job in 1983. During that first trip to South Africa, I worked with Peter Stringer at the Wanderers Club and was immediately struck by the passion he had for helping people achieve their potential and how absolutely selfless he was in doing so.
IT So how did you become involved with the ECB?
GL In 1991 I was released by Worcestershire. I had spent my winters between 1983 and 1991 either coaching in South Africa, getting further coaching experience and qualifications, or working in Training and Development for the Lucas Group in Birmingham and had to make a decision whether I was to pursue a future in HR or to find a way of remaining involved with the Game.
A conversation with Mike Vockins, the Secretary(Chief Executive) at Worcestershire led to an interview with the Wrekin District Council for one of the early Cricket Development Officer positions. I got the job and spent the next nine months working harder than I had ever done in my life. When Bob Cottam resigned from the NCA to join Somerset, I applied for the National Coach position he had vacated and was delighted to be offered the job by the Director of Coaching, Keith Andrew in 1992
I have worked with the National Governing Body ever since then.
IT What have been the most significant changes that you have seen in coaching and coach education?
GL I think much has changed since 1992. Certainly the "science" of coaching has moved on apace. Laptop computers, sophisticated video and performance analysis software, long-term, multiple periodised training programmes, coaches managing multidisciplinary support teams, massively increased investment in player and coach development programmes have all impacted significantly.
I think perhaps the most significant developments, however, have been in the way in which we train coaches to work with people. This is sometimes referred to as the "Art" of Coaching. In the mid 1990's Mickey Stewart launched a Management Skills Programme at the University of Bradford for coaches involved in the professional game. This has evolved into the current Level 4 programme. More recently, the emergence of the UKCC with it's emphasis on balancing the "What to Coach" (technique, tactics) with the "How to Coach" (coaching process skills) has ensured that the key messages from Level 4 are appropriately delivered through the Community game.
IT So what do you think makes a good coach?
GL It might be better to ask some players for their views on that! From my perspective elite coaching and performance have three major components.
The foundation is "effective working relationships". This doesn't mean that coaches and players have to be good mates, but more that there needs to be clear understanding, trust and mutual respect.
If the overall working "environment" is appropriately secure but challenging, consistent but flexible enough to cater for individuality, it is possible then to regularly "steepen the learning curve". Coaches who have the ability to develop quality working relationships with their players and support staff, within a high quality, performance orientated environment and have the capacity to consistently sharpen their own learning curve as well as that of their players and staff are likely to be successful.
Success in performance sport, as well as, I suspect in life generally is about winning the constant struggle between belief and doubt. In developing these working relationships, creating the right environment and sharpening the learning curve, I believe that the great coaches constantly feed the belief systems of the players they work with. This doesn't necessarily mean telling them they are great all the time but that they constantly monitor the balance between challenge and support and make sure that there are sufficient opportunities for performance accomplishment, even when players are working right "at the edge" of their current ability .
Tim Gallwey said "By the word learning, I do not simply mean the collection of information, but the realisations that actually change behaviour" Great coaches create an environment in which positive behavioural change takes place
So, to summarise, my answer is, Good coaches coach technique, great coaches coach people and recognise that the only truly sustainable competitive advantage is to learn faster than their opposition.
IT If a current professional player wants to qualify as a coach, what do they need to do?
GL The highest entry level into the current ECB Coach Education Programme is Level 2. This course provides an introduction to the coaching process and some key background in the "science" and "art". Qualification at this level allows coaches to access the benefits of the ECB Coaches Association (which include £5 million Public Liability Insurance). Local Cricket Development managers, and local Coaches Associations will be able identify dates and venues of courses. Alternatively players can contact the Community Coach Education office direct on 0121 440 1748
If players hold either overseas qualifications or qualifications gained in the UK prior to 1997, then they may be able to get some "Accredited Prior Learning" for these and progress directly to Level 3. Again a conversation with the relevant CDM or Edgbaston should clarify what is possible here.
My advice to players would generally be get the qualifications done as soon as possible. The real learning as a coach is achieved not through the courses but from the application of the principles from them in coaching practice and in often more "informal" discussions with other coaches and players
There is significant evidence to show that in the same way the development of an athlete is a "Long Term" process (LTAD), there is also a "Long Term Coach Development Process", so the sooner people can start coaching the better.
IT What advice do you have for people thinking about coaching as a career?
GL Get qualified, get coaching and get ready! Talk with your Performance Lifestyle Advisor, talk with other coaches and think hard about what it is about coaching that draws you to it There are increasing numbers of coaching jobs available in the UK as well as overseas, however, as is the case with other careers, often the job you really want isn't available when you want it! This might mean doing another job in coaching and learn something new every day until something which matches your aspirations becomes available.
There is an increasing recognition amongst employers of coaches both at home and abroad of the Level 4 qualification. You will need Level 3 to access this programme and be able to commit to a tough 26 month part time learning programme. If you are seriously looking at coaching as a career, I would be happy to discuss your plans with you. Drop me an email on gordon.lord@ecb.co.uk
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