Glenn Mills and Wayne discuss their recent life changes: Wayne moved from the Gold Coast to Bagotville, NSW, and Glenn from Arizona to near Chicago. They address the impact of Olympic rule changes, such as rugby's shift to 7-aside and lacrosse's shorter format, on sports. They also debate the "enhanced games" concept, which involves athletes focusing on weightlifting and sprint events, and the controversy surrounding performance-enhancing drugs. Both agree that the changes are necessary for the sport's survival and express excitement about their new, shorter podcast format, promising more in-depth discussions in future episodes.

Swim Parents - Partners in Potential and Performance

Every swimming coach in the world has to find a way to work effectively with the parents / carers of the kids they coach.

The concept of Partnership is important.

In essence, what are coaches, parents / carers and swimmers all chasing?

Answer: To help the swimmer be all they choose to be - to help them realize their potential in and out of the water.

The beautiful thing about that is that when it comes down to it - coaches, parents / carers and swimmers - ALL WANT THE SAME THING! - we all want to see the swimmer learn to love the water, enjoy the experience of swimming, improve and to be all they choose to be.

In any partnership, each of the partners, need to do their "job" - they need to understand what it is they need to do to help achieve their collective goal - in this case - the realization of the potential of the swimmer.

So what's the "job" of a coach? To teach skills, help swimmers prepare for Meets, to improve their speed and fitness, to help them perform when and where it matters, etc.

And swimmers - what's their "job"?

It is simply - to do the best they can - every time they train and race - to do their best.

Swimming Parents and carers - what's their "job"?

1. To teach values like respect, honesty, integrity, humility, courage, discipline and a work-ethic.
2. To help build independence, self-responsibility and self-accountability
3. To love, accept and value their children unconditionally for who they are.
4. To help their kids learn important life skills like time management.
5. To teach them the importance of taking ownership and responsibility for their day to day needs like cleaning their rooms, preparing for training, packing their swim bags, hanging out wet swim suits and towels etc.

6. 
   

If you think about the coach, parent / carer and swimmer relationship as a partnership - as a team - where every member of the team is committed to and focused on helping the swimmer to be the best they can be - there's no limits to what you can achieve together.

Is it always easy?

NO!!! - of course not. Stories about the difficulties of dealing with over zealous and overly "invested" swimming parents / carers are common place in coaching all over the world.

But, it is vital that coaches look to find ways of building and sustaining strong, positive contructive relationships with swimming parents / carers and to strive to work closely together as the swimmer progresses.

Wayne and Glenn discuss what makes a great coach. From the public perception of greatness to the reality of everyday people being great.

We asked ChatGPT it's definition of what is a great coach, and the answers were pretty darn good.

A great coach is someone who possesses a unique blend of skills, qualities, and attributes that enable them to effectively guide, inspire, and develop individuals or teams to reach their full potential. Here are some characteristics that define a great coach:

1. Excellent Communication Skills: A great coach can convey ideas, instructions, and feedback clearly and effectively, fostering understanding and trust among their players or team members.
   
2. Empathy and Understanding: They have the ability to understand the needs, motivations, and challenges of each individual they coach, and they empathize with their experiences.
   
3. Leadership and Vision: A great coach has a clear vision for success and inspires others to share and work towards that vision. They lead by example, setting high standards of behavior and performance.
   
4. Expertise and Knowledge: They possess a deep understanding of the sport, field, or subject matter they're coaching in, as well as the strategies and techniques necessary for success.
   
5. Adaptability: A great coach can adapt their coaching style and strategies to suit the unique needs and circumstances of their players or team, maximizing effectiveness.
   
6. Motivational Skills: They know how to motivate and inspire their players or team members, instilling confidence, self-belief, and a strong work ethic.
   
7. Feedback and Development: They provide constructive feedback in a supportive manner, helping individuals identify areas for improvement and develop their skills and abilities.
   
8. Patience and Resilience: They remain patient and resilient in the face of setbacks and challenges, maintaining a positive attitude and encouraging perseverance.
   
9. Trust and Respect: A great coach builds trust and respect with their players or team members through honesty, integrity, and fairness.
   
10. Commitment and Dedication: They are deeply committed to the development and success of their players or team members, investing time, effort, and energy to help them achieve their goals.
    

Overall, a great coach is not just someone who helps individuals or teams win games or achieve success; they also play a crucial role in shaping character, instilling values, and fostering personal growth and development.

We hope you enjoy this episode, and we're glad to be back.