It is unfortunate that I hear about about problems or issues with my program, through the grapevine.
First off, I'd like to say that no one can be perfect, and that includes the coach. Everyone that skates at TISC has their right to benefit from each and every practice that the club holds. If you don't feel that you've spent your time wisely or that the program run that night is to your standards - you need to speak up. Maybe not at practice or during practice, but speak to the coach after or just send an email.
This is your practice and you need to tell me if what I'm running aligns with your training goals and I'll do my best to ensure as many of your requests are incorporated into the program. That being said, I'm only one person and I can not please everyone all the time. I know that this is a varied group and everyone has differing needs so I may change up the "usual" to make things more interesting and fair for everyone. To make things even more difficult is the loss of three coaches and transitioning so quickly from three groups down to one large group.
Criticism and feedback is always accepted, but there is a time and place for it. No one likes to be interrupted in the middle of a workout, in front of a group they're responsible for. I have an open door policy but please save the feedback for after. Let's keep the communication honest and open, just let me know what your issues are and I'll change what is required. Don't just come to me with a problem, if you have a solution, I'm all ears.
For the most part TISC coaches are volunteers. TISC is a volunteer run organization. Yes, it's true that the coaches are offered a small honorarium (money - whenever the budget allows), but don't automatically assume that the coaches all accept it (I donate a portion, if not all back to the club.) This isn't considered regular payment for work. It takes time and a lot of effort to plan and run a practice - it doesn't just pop off the top of my (our) head(s) on the fly. On the other hand, there's also no "master" training plan. The program is loosely based on a combination of skills, physical fitness and the goals of the skaters that regularly attend the practice.
Bottom line is this: if the volunteers (including the people that help run the club) feel like they're constantly under scrutiny - they will quit (and that includes me) because it's not cool to get yelled at nor talked about behind our backs. Remember that as a coach, I'm here to guide you, challenge you and to ensure that a training program is run. Come and talk to me, I promise not to bite. Treat me like crap and I'm gone.
