The inaugural QUT Para Sport Coaching scholarship program was ignited on the weekend with a skill acquisition workshop which brought a group of 11 coaches together.
Coaches representing wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and para table tennis trialled new methods of coaching whilst considering their own philosophies to enhance the delivery and sustainability of coaching practices for the future.
Associate Professor Ian Renshaw, Dr Adam Gorman, and PhD Candidate Courtney Porter presented the sessions which were developed to add modern, scientific methodologies to the coaching repertoire which can be overlaid with sport specific knowledge and training methods.
Sports Manager of the Suncoast Spinners Wheelchair Basketball group Nicki Liddle said the weekend enabled her to push the boundaries of thinking and challenge accepted norms in coaching.
‘The sessions were relatable, on point and really lots of fun,
‘They provided the coaching group with plenty of food for thought, if we don’t step outside the boundaries of current thinking, we never will grow,’ she said.
Para Sport coaching has received an increased focus from the Queensland Academy of Sport, and in liaison with the QAS, National Sporting Organisations and Paralympics Australia, the timing was right to launch this initiative which supports the broader plans in coaching development across the country.
In addition to skill acquisition, the scholarship program has been designed to develop the broader skill sets needed to successfully build sports programs that harness and develop talent, whilst ensuring coached environments are enjoyable and sustainable.
In addition to workshop and mentoring by staff from the School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, coaches receive micro-credentials offered through QUT’s executive education program, QUTeX.
Courses including leadership, coaching and culture, and the eight characteristics of winning teams are offered to coaches to enable a holistic approach to coach education that leverages the strengths of business and other team environments.
Sport Project Coordinator Michael Jordan said it was important for coaches to be able to learn new techniques but also apply them immediately to the coaching environment.
‘It was impressive to see coaches learn and apply new techniques on campus across both days of the workshop,
‘It confirms the relevance and importance of ensuring latest knowledge is embedded within sports participation and performance environments,’ he said.
The program moves now to the mentoring phase, where coaches will plan and deliver sessions at QUT for students and in their own sporting environments whilst receiving feedback and support from the program delivery team.
2022 Para Sports Coaching Scholars
Ben Newton | Wheelchair Rugby |
Chris Bond | Wheelchair Rugby |
Mateo Dvorani | Para Table Tennis |
Vinnie Batten | Para Table Tennis |
Stephen Toms | Wheelchair Basketball |
Alison Mosely | Wheelchair Basketball |
Nicki Liddle | Wheelchair Basketball |
Nick Such | Wheelchair Basketball |
