Donald MacLean Coaching Award Winner
Posted on: 31st January 2012
Article & Images by: Chris Bryant
Congratulations to our latest winner of the Innovation, Motivation and Inspiration in Coaching award winner Donald Mclean.Donald is a popular member of his club who is always willing to attend the formal learning experiences we run at Scottish Cycling, it is nice to see some of what we preach being put into practice and even nicer to see Donald putting his own spin on his coaching sessions. Donald’s take on coach led racing is something everyone could learn from. Here in essence is the nomination that won Donald his limited edition Shutt Velo Rapide award winner’s jacket.
Donald of Stirling Bike Club - Wallace Warriors receiving his limited edition Shutt Velo Rapide softshell jacket from Mark Young (British Cycling) formerly Scottish Cycling’s Regional Development Officer for mid Scotland
Donald has met a need in the club to develop sessions that allow the juniors to integrate into the main club. He coaches closed road sessions to a mixture of older junior riders and adults who are new to riding in groups.
Donald runs entertaining sessions for a wide range of age groups and constantly thinks of new fun ways to learn basic skills. Donald constantly mixes up the groups of riders and laughs and jokes with them all the time, he makes everyone feel encouraged and motivated to join in whatever their age or ability. He gets you riding with and leaning with a partner so you could either be with someone your own age and size or be someone between an 8 and 40 years old who are twice your size! Another game he plays is whispering to each rider in turn to give them a secret task and then a breakaway and pursuit race happens. No one ever knows how many of each role there will be and keeps everyone on their toes! It is great to see a group of mixed ages and gender laughing and learning so much as a group of 'unlikely' friends and is an inspiration to others and encourages all to implement their new found skills into participating in racing and club group sessions.
To nominate your coach before our next award period in April please visit http://tinyurl.com/3gj7f7j
