Saturday marks the beginning of B.C. Coaches Week, an annual campaign by the Coaches Association of B.C dedicated to the recruitment, development and celebration of the provinces volunteer and community coaches.
Coaches interested in advancing their skills or considering formal training under the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) can begin this weekend (Sept. 15-16) with a two-day introductory course at Langara.
Led by Human Kinetics professor Harry Lendvoy, the first workshop (called Introduction to Competition A) covers important factors in planning safe, dynamic practice and includes sport analysis, ethics and nutrition. The second workshop (Introduction to Competition B) advances the lessons and covers the necessary concepts important to planning a full season of training.
Lendvoy is a coach of coaches. A former member of the University of B.C. Tbirds tennis and soccer teams, he teaches all levels of coaching education offered through NCCP.
In a Q&A with the Courier, he kept his opinions about Canadian sport policy close to his chest, but said he believes coaches are at their best when they make sure sports are fun.
Courier: The competition introduction course you teach is an introduction to NCCP certification. Who takes a course like this?
Harry Lendvoy: Over 3,000 coaches from throughout B.C. have completed NCCP courses at Langara. Several are international coaches who are training to become certified to coach in Canada.
Courier: The long-term athlete development model has been adopted by numerous national and provincial sport organizations in Canada. Do you support the model?
Lendvoy: All levels of the NCCP follow the principles of long-term athlete development. This reflects the national policy of the Coaches Association of Canada, which emphasizes a systematic and science-based program of athlete development
Courier: You coach coaches. What are the fundamental skills every coach should have?
Lendvoy: As a coach of coaches" I believe that to be most effective, [coaches] must be good communicators and motivators. [They must be] knowledgeable. They must exemplify a respect of athletes and fair play. They must also follow the NCCP Code of Ethics. Perhaps most importantly is never take the fun out of sport.
Courier: For your doctoral thesis at UBC, you investigated the intentional changes adults make about their exercise habits. What did you learn from your study in 1984?
Lendvoy: I was very curious about the running phenomenon, which took place in the 1970s. There was a dramatic increase in adult participation in self-directed running and exercise programs. This was especially evident in adult females as it seemed much more acceptable for women to become as actively involved in fitness and sport as males. The newly coined wellness model of health encouraged adults to take more responsibility for their health.
Running was regarded by many as effective preventive medicine. Regular exercise was considered to be an effective strategy in weight control and promoting cardiovascular health.
Courier: Whats changed in the last 28 years since your study?
Lendvoy: Women were now involved in strenuous training programs for sport which equalled that of men. Participation in a personal exercise program has continued to increase among women and for many it has contributed to an increased quality of life physically, mentally, socially and even spiritually.
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The Langara course, Introduction to Competition A, is also offered Oct. 20-21 and Nov. 17-18.
B.C. Coaches Week events and seminars run Sept. 15 to 22 across the province. For a full schedule, visit coachesbc.ca.
