G’Day ‘learners’.

Today’s blog will help sports coaches (and all caring adult stakeholders) to:

Consider the idea of using Australian Professional Standards for Teachers to better inform the practice and future of your own and peers’ efforts with learners…

Watch, share and subscribe to ‘Gunn Engagement’ YouTube OR Facebook Pages for more!!!

Once again I make the claim that his is probably the best coaching podcast episode I have ever heard! Have a listen yourself. Dale Sidebottom interviews the amazingly brilliant but HUMBLE lifelong learner Stuart Wilkinson. HERE it is again!!! https://energetic.education/130-stuart-wilkinson-coaching-relationships-inspiration/

Thus, in my typical reflective way, I listened to this piece FIVE times. I thought it best to share some of my notes and quotes. Once again, to give it some legitimacy I thought I’d also use ‘Australian Professional Standards for Teachers’ as a lens. This is the second half of the episode after first 30 mintes. Please understand that this is rare! I usually use pen and paper… THUS please don’t hold against me any formatting or editing issues. What is REAL is my use of the focus areas from the standards. There are 39 focus areas from memory and Stuart would cover most in this conversation with Dale. I am pretty sure 2.6 Literacy and Numeracy is the only one not covered. Amazing coversation…

Reflection starts now and is in ‘itallics’ Standards are found here: https://www.aitsl.edu.au/teach/standards The numbers are corresponding focus areas. There are seven standards. Selfishly I thought I’d throw in a little vision from my own channel. Please like and subscribe to ‘Gunn Engaement’ YouTube channel:

(Referring to a grassroots team where he brought in ex-players to help who went from 100 point loss to 40 point victory in one season) Didn't do it on my own - knew what they needed brought in the right people to take the players on a journey7.4  - had them from 15-17 and most of them became good fathers and good people to employ - they're still in touch with each other to this day 1.1 and 4.1

 Dale: Do you ever sit back and reflect on this awesomeness?  Stuart: It's been so messy… I tried to master everything… I must say Dale I'm 59 now, 35 years of coaching and doing a PHD… I'm learning again and feel I'm coaching better than ever!!! I just wish I could start again with what I know now!!! 6.4

Getting players to become better people and give back to the community not only allows them to get a 'win' BUT is what coaching is all about!!! 1.2 and 3.1

Any young coach on a 'talent' pathway needs to read Fergus Connoly's book https://fergusconnolly.com/books/ Game Changer as it's full of tools 7.4

(He listed other book s like the 'Captain's Class' but reminded us about filters) Talked about accessible books/learning for grassroots that were easily understood.  Researchers need a filter where STU and Dale may come in) 6.2 and 6.3 What they all have in common is integrity and values and consistency of applying into players' behaviours on the pitch. 1.1 and 1.2

 Dale: Tell us about the different cultures you had to prepare for?  Stuart went on a 10 minute (not quite)  tangent about different players and cultures.  He mentioned indigenous players.  THUS I will use some poetic licence here to mention some more of AITSIL standards and reappropriating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander focus areas more globally here. 1.3-1.5

Did an audit around emerging countries to make them more robust in rugby league for upcoming rugby league world cup.  Was based in Belgrade and assessed what was needed and who could train them. 3.6, 5.3 to 5.5; 7.2

 Used wallpaper with diagrams to translate HOW to play when coached Russians.  2.1 and 2.2

Learned so much from coaching Russians who were ice hockey - players don't get anxious before game by distancing themselves from coach - their habits and openness in communication was brilliant - English players who are young need support in self-efficacy but Russians had that down pat and open with each other - absolutely learning so much their attitudes were outstanding - Russians were right on the button every single time - fascinating 6.2 and 6.4 PLUS (poetic licence with middle one) 1.3-1.5 - he earlier mentioned needing to get to know indigenous players in English Super League mentioned Fijians but of course many other pacific islanders, players from PNG and Australian Indigenous players as well (like one of my favourites who I still see now and again at a local pub Jamie Sandy a peer and probably club mate of Stu's at West Panthers who played in Challenge Cup final) 2.4

Advice to 18 year old  Stu- should have stayed in Australia where Rugby League is more at home - any advice to anybody is to be hungry, volunteer, be willing to learn - won't take a dollar off grassroots sport - again the no.1 currency is coaching - like Twitter - allows you to networking with interesting learners with different ideas 6.1-6.4

 Explains how his university engenders networking events with industry for networking opportunities 2.2-2.3, 1.5

 His opinion on technology - have to accept they need it - went to technology convention and fascinating  2.6

More 60 years than 16 years on Twitter - research that technology hasn't really done much since light bulb - tech is faster and more efficient but no real new discoveries and brain is still same as last 40,000 years ago - BUT coaching is all about relationships, more tactile put people in front of each other - in the end mate talking to a piece of plastic1.1, 1.2 and 1.5

 Your lasting legacy?  Just getting deeper in relationships that also I helped coaches to become better communicators to make a difference in people's lives 3.1 -3.7

Find network Stuart Wilkinson Twitter and LinkedIn - happy to take any coach on!!! 7.4

What a conversation.  AGAIN the only focus area I think wasn't touched was literacy and numeracy.  I could be wrong.  Listened five times. 

When I finally meet this coach I will be a little bit nervous.  Nothing wrong with having heroes!!!

 Gunny leaving for London June 5 and leaving 15 June to follow Stu's advice and get face to face with coaches. 

Who wants to learn with me?  I have coached/learned in all contexts! 

Yours in learning,

 Gunny