Whilst Marketing and selling one self is very important in this fast paced modern world of ours and is a crucial aspect for a coach where people are being bombarded on all sides by clever marketing strategies. I think that people should take a step back and ask themselves a few questions and look at a few points before deciding on following a particular route (Coach). 1. First Point to consider. The coachs own running performance. Yes to have a person that can run like the wind, has provincial or National colours or who has run 50 comrades as a coach rates quite highly on the cool scale, BUT, it means nothing. A good athlete does not necessarily a good coach make. Period. It is about what YOU can do, nothing else. 2. Second Point. What is the Coachs prime goal for coaching? Is it to give back to the sport? Is it because he absolutely loves the sport and would willingly coach athletes with out remuneration. 3. Third Point. Do you, or will you, get subjected to the debt collection department if you are even a day late on your payment? 4. Does he do it purely for work/income, with no passion for running? 5. Is your performance and what you do about him or about you? Then, Important Questions. 1. Can they Help you with your Goals? 2. Can they assist and support YOU specifically? 3. Do they understand what is required for YOU to perform at your goal race? No two races are the same. What is needed for comrades is totally different to what is needed for Cross Country, which is miles apart to what is needed for Comrades. 4. Then most important of all. What is this coaches Track record over a period of time? Track record is a vital piece of evidence in deciding if a coach will benefit you. 4.1 How many athletes has he had in provincial Teams to SA Champs? 4.2 Has his/her athletes had any podium Finishes (medals) at SA Champs. 4.3 Is the above(4.1 & 4.2) 1 athlete over a year or two or is it numerous athletes over a long period of time? 4.4 How Many years have they been coaching? 4.5 How many athletes do they work with in the sector of running that you are interested in. Ie. Cross Country, Marathons, Shorter road, Racing on the track etc. 4.6 Talk to his current Athletes, what do they say? Retaining a coach to help you prepare for a race or an adventure should be done with the same approach you use in business and in purchasing high value assets such as a car, after all it is YOUR hard earned cash. Research and choose wisely. I leave you with some thing from commercial law 101 to think about. An advert or marketing is only an invitation to do business. Its brilliance in no way guarantees the service or bang for your buck you will receive Remember, Train Dont Strain.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 07:04:30 +0000
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