Hosted by DNAA, the NCAS Coaching Conference took place this year, on Sunday 23rd of April at Chester-le-Street, County Durham. A total of 43 coaches from around the region came to hear presentations from David Harrison, County Coach and National Judge on ‘Coaching for Tournament Conditions’, Helen George, Senior Coach and Member of World Archery Para Committee, on the new ‘World Archery Excellence Centre in Lausanne’. Carol Byde, RCO and Senior Coach, started proceedings off.
The last time DNAA hosted the NCAS Coaching Conference, we were fortunate to get Lloyd Brown as our guest speaker. This year it was with great pleasure that our main Presenter for the day was introduced, Richard Priestman, Senior Olympic Coach.
Richard’s presentations covered the following;
‘What It Takes To Win’ (WITTW)’. This covered both Richard’s and Archery GB’s Coaching style and philosophy.
Some of Richard’s experiences, coaching overseas as a professional coach, in several different countries, gave the coaches an insight into what it is like to work in other countries.
The session on Techniques, including the importance of strength, fitness, lifestyle and mental aspects was so well put and demonstrated by Richard, that the coaches present were enthralled. Richard’s explanations were so clearly put and were backed up by a selection of photographs, which confirmed the points he was making. Richard showed how important it is for coaches, not only to fully understand good coaching techniques, but to be able to pass them on to their individual archers.
His Bow Training Session, once again was so clear and enabled the Coaches to understand the importance of Bow Training. He demonstrated using a bow, bands and several different devices.
This session helped coaches to see that there are so many methods, that their archers’ can use, for example, when they are on holiday and unable to shoot. It helps them to maintain archery fitness levels.
The information passed on to the Coaches by Richard was great and very much appreciated by everyone present. His style of presenting made it so easy to understand and his ability to answer a wide variety of questions was wonderful. Knowing how busy Richard is, it was great he was able to attend the Conference.
It’s not often that coaches have the opportunity to talk with someone with the experience Richard has, not only as a coach but as an international and Olympian archer. The regular refreshment breaks allowed the coaches to chat to him which he was very happy to do.
