(09-02-2024, 04:56 AM)Lods link Wrote:A big part of the problem.
Parents living through their kids rather than celebrating their progress.
But there are a whole range of other issues.
Rows of young kids bored to the teeth waiting for their race throw or jump.
The dramatic drop off rate as kids are lost to the sport in their teen years.
The sport today is a shadow of itself in the 60s and 70s
Thankfully we have a few elite who succeed.
But many a potentially good athlete has been lost to the sport.
I gave up the LA's a long time ago. Too many power trips. LA's has been a great base to developing athletes. While many drop out we are doing a lot better with athletes coming through the system too. Our strength in athletics mostly in the more technical events.
I found coaching kids restrictive. My coaching blossomed once I stopped coaching young juniors as I could really expand my range as a coach. I was a lot better coach once I did that. Managed to get 5 athletes to represent their country from different countries, last one an Aussie in 2022 World Champs in Oregon with the oldest female ever. COVID sadly screwed her race, but, she was there at 49yo. Now at my age I am just focussing on masters athletes. An excuse to travel every year...lol. My masters have won 42 medals at World level, 23 gold.