This week’s blog post celebrates UK Coaching Week! 
The theme for this year’s campaign is focusing on developing holistic coaching skills and encouraging more women into leadership positions within sport. We spoke with our Strength and Conditioning Coach Samara Nche about the lessons that she has learnt from her ten year coaching career, as well as some tips on leadership from our Tennis Head Coach Ali Blackett.
What is your favourite part about coaching?
One of the aspects of coaching I enjoy the most is seeing the transformation in the athletes I work with over time. Not just physically, but also emotionally and psychosocially. Watching them engage in the sessions, find joy in it and eventually realise the value is incredibly rewarding. In my eyes, one of the most impactful things in life is doing your part to motivate and inspire the next generation, whatever that looks like, which is exactly why I do what I do.
What advice would you give to a female student interested in getting involved in leadership and coaching?
Stay focused on your passion and goals. Remember what initially drew you to coaching and let that drive you through any challenges you may encounter. The sports industry may be male-dominated, but don’t let that deter you. Coaching can be one of the most fulfilling things you can ever do in life and your skills and abilities are not defined by gender. Despite this, it is an exciting time for women looking to work in the sports industry as times are changing. More doors and opportunities are opening up for women in coaching, leadership and much more, including coaching in men’s teams. Stay determined, believe in yourself and keep chasing your dreams.
What’s your approach to coaching?
I believe in order to help an athlete achieve their full potential, adopting a holistic approach to coaching is incredibly important. I believe this because an athlete’s performance is healthy influenced by various factors such as mindset, lifestyle, relationships and overall health amongst other things, which of course goes hand in hand with what we teach them as coaches. This style of coaching help us better understand our athletes not just physically, but emotionally and psychologically so we can also help them thrive, not just on the field, but also off the field. Winning matches and competitions is important to me, as it is to many coaches, but competitive sport is not forever and ultimately nurturing our athletes with the tools to succeed in all aspects of life is more impactful.
To develop your holistic coaching approach, our Tennis Heach Coach Ali Blackett shares some of her top tips on coaching:
Be honest and open
Be clear on what your coaching, teaching or leading style is from the get-go, so the group know what to expect.
Agree on shared aims and goals from the start
Everyone likes to know the purpose of what they are doing and what they are aiming for. If everyone has agreed from the start, then they have been a part of shaping the direction you are going in.
Level up!
Have options for your group to adapt the activity they are doing. Giving people autonomy over how they progress and creating decision-making opportunities is a great environment to have.
Know what you don’t know
It’s okay not to know the answer to a question. Nobody knows everything and it’s fun to find out new things and educate ourselves. We are surrounded by people with great ideas and knowledge, both student and staff. Enjoy finding the person who can help and learn something new!
Cooperation, not just competition
Teamwork and cooperation activities are just as important as competition-based activities. It gives those in your group the opportunity to practice developing a wider range of skills and some people enjoy these activities more.
If Samara and Ali haven’t already convinced you to gain a coaching qualification with us, then perhaps the £200 financial support through our Game Changers programme might! Game Changers is the University of Bristol’s sports leadership and volunteering programme, providing students with training and qualifications in a range of areas, including coaching and officiating. To find out more and to get involved, visit the Sport, Exercise and Health website!