New ‘super coach’ scheme

Press, 14 July 1982, Page 36

New ‘super coach’ scheme

The New Zealand Sports Foundation has broadened its horizons from support of outstanding and emerging athletes to the employment of "super coaches.” In association with' the New Zealand Ski Association and Lion Breweries, the foundation has funded the first Sieinlager Super Coach in David Irwin, a world-class Canadian ski coach and competitor In a month., the success of this pilot scheme will be evaluated and the foundation will then be in a position to receive applications from other sports, said its grants committee chairman, Sir Ronald Scott. “We are seeking the very, very best coaches New Zealand money can buy, but our

funds are limited," said Sir Ronald. "So we set up the machinery whereby the foundation, the sport itself and Lion Breweries can pool their resources. "But the first move has to be made by the sport itself — and I may say that we will not be considering approaches until we have had a chance to evaluate the success of the ski-ing situation. The national body must apply, set out achievable objectives, nominate the individual, and ensure he is available. “Then, as with all applications, we receive, we take a hard, independent look at the programme, and if we think it is acceptable, we’ll have a go al it.” The first month is critical,

said Sir Ronald. "We, obviously, are looking to see that the technical and coaching advances are being made, and Lion Breweries will want to establish that they are receiving the mileage for a considerable outlay.” Sir Ronald did not see a place for all sports to apply. He was hesitant to be specific, but suggested that sports which are in the forefront of world competition — rugby and netball were mentioned — “obviously must have the right people there, or be doing things right. “It is more a case of aiding sports in which there is a very high technique factor, and which have overseas opposition benefiting from professional coach-

ing and motivational expertise. “If we can put a coach into that situation, and get a better return from that sport, it is a pretty effective way of spending money. "But they must be worldclass, both as a coach or technician and as a motivator. These two things go together these days: the Rusty Robertsons, the John Adsheads, the Arthur Lydiards showed that — people who can and could inspire individuals or teams to implement these techniques. "They are rare people; we are not going to be able to pick them up easily,” said Sir Ronald. "Italy, for example, had to go to Spain recently to find a rowing coach.”

Sir Ronald sounded one warning. It was no use, he said, expecting a coach to bring up a squad or team from grass-roots level, and have it performing with a winning chance at world level. "The raw talent must be there; it might even need to be on the fringes of a breakthrough, and just requiring the technician-motivator to bridge the gap. This person, too, needs to be able to instil the concentration and the confidence in the competitor.” The financial commitment to the Irwin pilot scheme is $21,000 — not al) of it to Irwin, but encompassing assembling, accommodation and other costs.