"2008 Coach Survey Summary Results: Evolution of the Athlete Conference"

Collated by Liz Hanson, Client Director of Athlete Assessments

Top three challenges you face as a coach:

1. 50% rated "Understanding individual athlete's personality and how to best motivate them"
2. 46% rated "Personal life balance - managing sport, career, home and social etc"
3. 31% rated "Team/squad dynamics and managing relationships within the team/squad"

Next highest scoring challenges (each with 25% of coaches scoring as one of their top 3 challenges) - Equal 4th:

• Keeping athletes engaged in their sport and dealing with competing priorities
• Creating a fun environment - keeping everyone enjoying their sport
• Improving technical and sport specific skills as a coach

Top three characteristics of a phenomenal coach:

1. 61% rated "Focuses on their athletes as a 'whole person' (to develop in and outside of the sport)"
2. 55% rated "Strong communication skills and ability to 'teach'"
3. 53% rated "Persistent in looking for new ways, techniques and tools to improve performance"

The average proportion of time spent by a coach is:

71% Dealing with sports related issues
29% Dealing with personal/other related issues

74% of coaches believe that greater funding of sport would reduce the 'obesity epidemic'

When asked whether 'social drugs' are having a direct impact / interference with athletes in your sport:

• 71% responded 'None' or 'Small or isolated incidents'
• 21% responded 'Somewhat of an issue'
• 8% responded 'Big issue'

To view the Coach Survey Results from the 2009 Evolution of the Athlete Conference covering leadership development, coaching mentors and how coaches get to know their new athletes, click here