Coaching

Life in the Gym

  Coaching has been another constant element of my life. My first formal job was when I was 15 and coaching recreational gymnastics at Gymnastics Mississauga. It began with summer camp programs, coaching boys as young as 4, up to 12 or 13, in a vibrant, hectic, fun environment. While knowing gymnastics and being able to do it yourself are great skills, I quickly found that the real skills I needed to be an effective coach were quite different. Normally shy and reserved, I had to be outgoing, dynamic and very confident. I was leading groups of 40 or 50 kids in large games and warm ups, having to gain and keep their attention when all they wanted to do was run into the foam pit or jump on the trampolines. It was a real test and taught me that I was actually quite good at building report with children, and that I loved seeing them improve, succeed and sharing my love for gymnastics.

  A lot of my collaborative skills were developed in these summer camps. You were united with your fellow coaches, other teenagers and young adults, fun loving and energetic, but constantly struggling to walk that fine line between fun, safety and discipline. We quickly bonded, helped each other and relied on each other, making coaching over the summer into a dream job where you were working with some of your best friends. We shared tips, created new games and helped each other deal with a rough day. It was a very unique, character building environment.

  I know for many the experience of being a camp counselor is probably quite similar. Working at Gymnastics Mississauga was a little unique though, since we had all trained together, were deeply linked by our passion for gymnastics, and also part of a very efficient, well run recreational program that demanded excellence from us. I remember being intimidated and scared of the competitive coaches and the recreation staff. From the gallery windows, all the parents could watch your every move as you coached their children. There was an immense pressure to not make any mistakes, and never allow any accidents. At the time I resented and disliked that high pressure environment, even though I had grown up in it, but now I realize it was incredibly rewarding for my own growth and development. I learned to be hyper vigilant as a coach supervising children. I took safety as my number one concern, above fun and games, and made it a point to help other coaches become safer coaches as well. And I constantly tried to meet the needs of each unique group, differentiating (I didn't know that word way back then) my classes, modifying activities so everyone could participate, and taking the athletes well being into account.