Category Archives: Coaches

The former Performance Director of British Swimming, Bill Sweetenham headed up the British assault
on the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His appointment was preceded by a six-year stint as the Australian
youth Swimming Coach overseeing the buildup to the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Sweetenham reminds us that when a new coach arrives on the scene, invariably you will hear the
term, ‘I’ll be innovative and creative’. Commencing his talk with a basic exercise, Sweetenham
asked all present to stand. He then posed general activity questions, ranging from whether the
coach drove the same way to work every day, ate at the same table every night, or always shaved
with the same pattern. When any coach present could answer ‘Yes’, they sat down. Not surprisingly
after five or six questions no coach remained standing, highlighting Sweetenham’s point – how can
coaches be innovative and creative at training when “their home life is as boring as hell”? Continue reading →