IN what we now recognise as being the new norm, we have become accustomed to the world of Zoom and webinars as our form of interaction with our sporting teams and coaching colleagues.

Over the last few weeks I have participated in, facilitated, and taken part in a number of public and private webinars and zoom calls. The calibre of coach and level of experience I have heard from over the past few weeks has been absolutely top class.

For me personally, this has been a fantastic time to up-skill as a coach but, more importantly, interact with other coaches and network and share ideas, not just from within GAA but across other sports. I have found, as a coach or a manager, all skills and attributes are transferable.

Andy Roxburgh, the former Scottish international soccer team manager, was UEFA Technical Director for 18 years and the former Sporting Director at New York Red Bulls.

At UEFA his job was to monitor the work of the coaching profession’s most distinguished exponents. Roxburgh talks about the “three hats” of management – selector, coach and manager.

By selector he means being able to pick and balance the team. By coach he means tailoring and taking training, coaching the team by organising and structuring a style of play, and by manager he means being able to communicate, handle players and maintain discipline and order within the group.

Managers also need the ability to delegate and share responsibility among the staff at the club.

Not many you may think could do all three effectively but Roxburgh used Arsene Wenger, Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola as prime examples of relatively recent managers who all wear the three hats.

Within our own games it is common knowledge that recently the likes of Jim McGuinness had been very hands-on at Donegal training and didn’t need the acquisition of a large number of training gurus.

The great Mick O’Dwyer – only twice in his 35 years of managing inter-county teams did he employ a physical trainer. Instead he got into the mix at training because he felt he could see a lot more of what was happening at ground level and felt closer to the players. He firmly believed that you could grasp the atmosphere of the group a lot better by being in the mix rather than taking a stand back and watch approach.

There is also this myth that exists that to be a good manager or coach you have to have played and been successful at the highest level, which is complete and utter nonsense.

The ability to deliver a pass effectively in Gaelic football and the ability to deliver a message well are completely different things.

Personally I didn’t have an illustrious playing career, I didn’t begin my coaching career with a big reputation, a big name or a box of medals. I had to work extremely hard and think outside the box, which I feel has helped me enormously to become the coach I am today.

Being a PE teacher also helps me a lot. You are managing different personalities all the time. Your man-management skills are constantly tested and you have to be an excellent motivator and innovator to survive in modern day teaching and coaching.

Finally, some positive qualities that may help guide a manager or coach on the right direction are:

1) Love of the game:

Live and breathe the game. Never stop learning. Watch the top teams train and play. Study the game and other games. Engross yourself in the game and have a really good understanding of the rules, skills and strategies of the game.

2) Personal qualities:

Be a good motivator. Be enthusiastic. Be an industrious person who communicates effectively with all your players and provide regular praise.

3) An effective man-manager:

This is probably the key management/coaching skill in your armoury. You must be able to manage all the different personalities and egos that exist in the changing rooms. Know when to put an arm round someone or give a dressing down. All players respond differently.

4) Be yourself and enjoy the journey:

The great John Wooden use to say “time spent comparing yourself to others is time wasted.”

Don’t try and be someone you aren’t. Everyone has their own unique personality and qualities they bring to teams. Believe and trust in your own. Most importantly, enjoy what you are doing.  

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