June 19, 2012 (Bend, Oregon) – New NDC Coaching Apprenticeship AWCA &CCC Bend Camp +… As I enter into my second year as an assistant coach for the Alberta World Cup Academy, I have been shocked and pleased with the ease the transition has been going from an athlete to a coach.

While coaching gives you a very different perspective on the sport and its inner workings it has been fun to share my athletic experiences with the younger athletes. I learned as an athlete that having a positive environment is critical to success. I quickly discovered that this is the foundation that has made AWCA successful in only a few short years.

I really enjoy the atmosphere at the AWCA, we coach by committee and I feel that while I am not as experienced as my co?coaches I have a voice and have been able to make contributions. After all we all share the same goals – we want to win. This year will present a new challenge with me being selected to enter into Cross Country Canada’s new apprenticeship program.

This program is designed to help provide coaches with enhanced learning opportunities, which will assist them in their future career aspirations by providing ongoing professional development that includes academic pursuits, advanced practical opportunities both domestically and internationally under supervision and mentorship of experienced coaches and HP personnel to prepare them for future coaching opportunities.

I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow as a coach, with my long?term goal of helping Canada become a country that can win internationally consistently over many years.

My most recent task was to lead our men’s program at our first camp in Bend Oregon. While I had some support, my duties included organizing accommodation, and planning/ executing daily training sessions. My challenge as a new coach is to create an environment that is comfortable so athletes can recover effectively, and stay true to our budget. As an athlete we pay little attention to costs, so this has been a great learning curve.

During the camp my view also changes, as I am the one taking video and lactates. During this time I am also paying close attention to how the athletes are responding to the training we have prescribed. Only 2 years ago I only had to measure my own levels of preparedness, now I have to evaluate 11, so there is never a dull moment. One of my greatest challenges over the next few years will be to develop an eye for what each athlete needs, and honing my own style.

My goal for this year will be to keep journaling all my coaching experiences and periodically take time to reflect in order to grow as a coach.