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Les Gramantik |
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Committed and sustained coach
support,
rather than increased funding, is the secret of international success,
says one of Canada’s leading track and field
coaches.
Can Canadian track and field be more competitive and successful? What
would it take to bring us to the level of international success we all
long for? These are questions I’ve pondered long and hard.
My involvement in athletics, as an athlete and then as a coach, is fast
approaching 45 years. I am privileged to have represented Canada in a
coaching capacity at most major Games and world championships over the
past 15 years. I must admit that on more than one occasion I have felt
really discouraged by our lack of success internationally, but could
not come up with any solution.
The sport of track and field enjoys massive participation
internationally, and a large number of countries share in the medal
count at each Games. At the Sydney Olympics, for example, 48 different
countries won medals in track and field. Since I care very much about
winning, and constantly strive to help our Canadian team reach higher
goals internationally, I ponder the reason for the emergence of some
countries over others in sport in general and in track and field
specifically.
Throughout my years of travelling internationally, I have met many
Canadian coaches and sport administrators and have noted how,
invariably, our discussions shift to the question “How can we be more
competitive and successful?” The immediate answer I hear most often is
that more money would solve all our problems. I agree, of course, that
more money would help, but what if our funding dreams are not going to
be realized anytime soon, or possibly ever? What can we change within
the current system and still improve?
My own informal research has shown that numerous countries with large
budgets do not necessarily show dominance over the rest of the field. I
have also noticed the emergence of other countries, with similar
funding to Canada, again specifically in track and field, producing
great international results. So it seems the difference in results is
not as simple as levels of funding.
At the 2004 world indoor championships in Budapest, Hungary, my
observations led me to a better understanding of why a country such as
Sweden has emerged internationally while others, although providing the
same funding for athletics, have not. The answer is that they invest in
and support their coaches. Yes, that’s right. They support those people
who work diligently, often behind the scenes, to shape and nurture
emerging talent. The support they receive is a wide-ranging recognition
of their work, starting at the grassroots level and continuing all the
way to the top, and incorporates financial as well as professional
rewards. Athletes’ success is directly linked to coaching, and coaches
are assisted so that they can be part of all international competitions
wherever possible.
In short, there are highly competitive countries with programs that are
funded similarly to Canada’s. There is a distinct increase in
international results by the countries that favour the coach-supported
model in contrast to the countries that operate within a primarily
athlete-supported model. I believe we need to look specifically at the
various programs that are available to our athletes and provide similar
programs for our coaches. This is not a suggestion to reduce athlete
support; rather, it is an encouragement to develop similar programs for
coaches. Perhaps a national carding system for coaches? That has been
successfully implemented in other countries.
The Canadian sport delivery system is athlete centred. We are
diligently working toward well-balanced support, within our financial
boundaries, to help our athletes. But what about our coaches?
Historically, coach support has not been a priority in our sport
delivery system. The financial and professional recognition for
coaching in Canada is below international standards, and unless this
improves, we, as a country, will continue to be less competitive
internationally.
Our athletes are the ones representing us on the international stage,
and consequently the focus is on them. However, I believe that we need
a strong support group directed by qualified coaches to prepare our
athletes, over the long term, to succeed. Also, we must educate our
athletes about the importance of coaching. Too often our athletes take
coaching for granted, as shown recently in Calgary when a number of
athletes were asked to list their needs to better prepare for Athens.
Not one listed any form of coaching support as a need.
In recent years, Canada has made substantial improvements to our sport
delivery system. The creation of the Canadian Sport Centres and
National Coaching Institutes helps provide a solid foundation, with
high-quality education to coaches and very good support for athletes.
We must not forget that athletes come and go, but experienced and
dedicated coaches are here to stay. So let’s move forward with the
professionalization of coaching. Let’s put a system in place that
recognizes and rewards coaching based on the coach’s work, not only at
the elite level, but starting at the grassroots level as well. With the
talent and dedication of our athletes, coupled with a strong group of
professional and accountable group of coaches, I believe we will
achieve greater results internationally.
Les
Gramantik is the
director of Athletics Canada’s Speed and Power programs,
the head coach,
Athletics, at the University of Calgary, and a consultant to the
Canadian Sport Centre Calgary.
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COACHES OF CANADA
