This is a picture of the coaches in attendance the last day of the coaching clinic. Their names include Richard and Jenelsi Britton, Javon Emery, Dimeon Leastle, Michael Paul, Alby Andrew, Maginnie Campbell, Michael Francis, Patricia Neal, Nic Benjamin, Lisa Slinger, Rene Belfon, Adam Lafeuillee, Marty Philip, Kathyann Williams Gabriel, Sylma Phylls, Aly Welcher, Debbie Britton, Leon Hall, Erica Fortune, Al Furguson, Rachel John, Crystal Arbhibald, and of course Nanan.
The last day of the clinic it rained all morning. We held an indoor session (theory) and of course the coaches much prefer to play then sit and be lectured to. Today we answered questions, covered offensive systems and reviewed switching and overlaps.
We then asked the group for their feedback. Overall they reported it was very good. All were happy with the course and felt they learned a lot. Many were in this course three years ago and said it was a nice refresher and they enjoyed reviewing skills and also liked learning about switching and overlaps. In my opinion, that was the new topics covered this year. It was somewhat difficult to design a curriculum because we had many 'experienced' coaches along with several new coaches who know nothing about the sport. To keep both groups 'entertained' was a challenge.
Should I be fortunate enough to be asked back to continue my work here, I suggest we cover Offensive systems, different serve receive formations (3, 4, 2 person), transition hitting and footwork, how to train a setter, numbering system along the net, audibles, stat taking, review scorekeeping, continue with rules education, and have a session on different drills. They are pretty good with basic skills but there could be a one hour review. It may also be suggested the group be divided into 'experienced' coaches and new coaches with different material taught to each.
The session ended at 2pm today and we had nothing in the evening! I came home and immediately went to the beach. It was cloudy with a threat of rain, but I didn't care. The sea felt great and I took a nice swim. While on the beach, I met a young man that is on the Junior national boys team (ages 12-19). His name is Clinton.
What an interesting story. He is one of 15 children (one of 7 from the same mother). All 7 lived together until his father died in 2005. Upon his death, all the older children had already either moved away, or subsequently did. Their mother packed up and simply left, never to be heard from again. He was 12 and he had an older brother that was 13, along with two other brothers 18 and 19 at home. The two older brothers joined the Grenadian army and placed the youngest two in an orphanage so they would be cared for. The oldest two then moved to England, leaving the youngest two alone in Grenada. After three years in the orphange, the two brothers decided to move out on their own and get an apartment. They moved into a studio 'apartment' in a big house, where they still reside. The boys are 17 and 18 now, both attend school regulary, and both plan to go to college. Clinton hopes to go to university in England after college. They live a simple life. No tv, no radio, and not many friends as they have very little money to do things and both go to school 30 minutes away.
Clinton is very polite, intelligent, and never once asked for anything. He is independent and well adjusted and I think will one day be a strong, confident young man. It was pretty inspriring. Often, I find myself focusing more on what I don't have instead of what I do have. He did not hold grudges and seemed only focused on what he needed to do today to have a good day and to get closer to his goal.
I look forward to seeing him today at National team training.
I'm marinating beef to cook soup later today. I've learned without marinating the meat, it tastes...um...not as good as our beef.
Respect and Love.
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