Marty: Personally, I find all levels rewarding – from beginner through to high performance. It’s quite easy to get PB’s and improved technical gains at the beginner level and that is quite addictive, it’s another story to get PB’s and increased performance from your higher-level athletes.
How do you tailor your coaching to meet the very different motivations and physical needs of each group?
Marty: Planning and preparation. High Performers have a higher demand for structure and program planning. Young athletes and masters – I tend to group into the one program. We have a basic outline of the season, I add the ‘fun’ element into it then break down techniques that I want to master and work on those bit by bit.
What have you learnt from working with master’s athletes, and how does that compare to coaching juniors or elites?
Marty: Masters Athletes are a wonderful group to coach. They are willing to learn, try new techniques and are engaging. We have learnt that you need to make sessions enjoyable as well as productive. Keep it simple and only work on a handful of technical goals each session. Always ask for feedback – how are they feeling? Any niggles etc. and change the program accordingly.
How do you adapt your approach to suit the needs of older athletes, especially those returning to sport after long breaks?
Marty: Slow and steady. Build a solid base with general prep then go from there. I like to find out what they are aiming for competition wise, so I know a timeline to prepare.
What has it been like coaching together as mother and daughter?
Toby: It is fun to coach with Mum. When I speak to the athletes it sounds like mum is speaking to the athletes – but it’s me. I realize that I have picked up on a lot of Mum’s coaching cues and sayings since I was little. We work pretty well together as a coaching team when we do end up coaching together. I am good at demonstrating the specific drills that mum wants the athletes to achieve.
Was there a moment when you realised coaching was something you both genuinely loved?
Marty: for me it was in 1991 when I first started coaching for Little Athletics QLD. I realised almost straight away that this was something I really enjoyed.
Toby: I started coaching after I left high school and became a coach for my former school in Basketball, Netball and Athletics as a part time job. I really loved coaching primary netball because I could make it really fun for the girls, and they seemed to love each session. Team sports are a good way to have a break from athletics, as I take athletics coaching more seriously.
