1. Performance Coaching Community

2. The Performance Community Who are the athletes being coached? A narrower range of athletes who have shown extra ability and have moved to district or regional representation at either a youth or adult level. Regional representatives taking part in national competition National age group representatives taking part in international competition

3. The Performance Community Who are the coaches? Have considerable experience and a high degree of knowledge within their sport Are often in part time professional roles where they are contracted by Regional or National Sports Organisations Experienced development coaches who have shown ability in coaching more talented athletes Former elite players who have shown a desire to become involved in coaching Former high performance coaches who no longer have the time to be involved at a High Performance level Professionals who coach for a living

4. The Performance Community What are the ideal attributes for a Performance Coach? Nurture a love of competing and being the best you can be Focus on skill development and decision making in a competitive environment Understand the needs of athletes in the Perform phase – primarily youth and senior athletes competing at representative level Help athletes develop a wider sense of sporting ethics Provide appropriate sequenced development opportunities and guidance Understand they create not only better athletes, but better people and role models for younger participants Have a sense of working in a wider coaching community with similar goals

5. The Performance Community What are the challenges? Professional expectations in a part time or volunteer role Lack of experience of High Performance environment Limited resources compared to High Performance Need to balance long term athlete development with desire for immediate results Often short period of time with athletes (tournament coaches) Expectations of athletes