Men's Novice/IM3 Squad
In January of 2009, I was asked to get involved in coaching the then Novice Men's Squad. It consisted of only a handful of guys whose morale was low and who were training and getting out on the water only sporadically. Although I don’t have any formal coaching qualifications, I felt that with over 20 years' rowing experience I could at least try and get the ball rolling again until a ‘proper coach’ could take up the reins.
I saw my initial task as rekindling morale and confidence, getting the guys back in a boat in numbers and, above all, making the sport fun so that they would actively want to develop within the sport. I feel this was achieved by taking them back to the absolute basics both on the water, in the gym and in the bar over a pint afterwards.
Although encouraging athletes to partake of the “demon drink” might be frowned upon by some, I felt that if the guys bonded socially it would help bring commitment on the water and as they progressed, their natural competitiveness and desire to win would take over.
This unorthodox approach has certainly paid dividends as the squad has grown to around 4 and we are now competing competently and competitively, getting through rounds and winning.
Also I feel we have integrated well with the other squads within the club and have laid solid foundations for the guys to progress their rowing careers in whatever direction they choose to go.
Terry O’Sullivan, Men's Novice/IM3 Coach
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