Amanda Murphy appreciates the importance of a basic skill set to coaching – knowing the sport and understanding its nuances.

She also sees value in opportunities for coaches to learn from each other – an experience that Sport Canterbury advocates for across the region.

“We introduced Performance Coach Advance (PCA) to the Canterbury region in 2016,” says Sport Canterbury PCA Advisor Michael De Bono. “The aim of the programme is to improve the quality of coaches working with talented pre-elite 15- to 21-year-old athletes."

Amanda Murphy is one of 20 coaches participating in the programme this year. She is the High Performance Development Throws Coach for Athletics New Zealand, based in Christchurch. Over the past 12 months, her responsibility has grown from five to 13 athletes in the region.

“Through our Coach Education Manager in Auckland, she suggested it would be a good idea to jump on board and start learning some extra things about coaching and the art of coaching,” says Murphy, describing her introduction to Performance Coach Advance.

“Everyone knows the skill of their own sport – it’s more about the art of coaching.”

She credits the programme with creating opportunities to network with different coaches across various sporting codes.

In April, however Murphy’s networking opportunities expanded to a new level, when the Commonwealth Games Federation recognised her application to attend a special workshop for female coaches on the Gold Coast, prior to the April Commonwealth Games.

Eighteen coaches were selected in total, and the largest contingent from any country represented New Zealand, with three.

“You got to be immersed into your national team, and Athletics New Zealand, as part of the team, going to the Commonwealth Games, and seeing what happens at an international event.”

Her biggest learning related to the challenges that athletes and coaches alike face, around mental health.

“Staying in the village, there was no real time for yourself,” she reflects. “It was extremely difficult to get out and have your own time.

“I actually learned that I do spend quite a bit of time by myself reflecting and thinking. Just having down time is pretty important, and 90% of athletes who go into a multi-game environment, are facing that experience for the first time.”

De Bono enjoys seeing the PCA participants receive opportunities, and grow with their learnings, often outside of their comfort zone.

“Through Performance Coach Advance, it’s rewarding to see coaches in this region make the most of development opportunities – both through our programme, and beyond.”