Christian Malcolm to leave Role as Head Coach

[Ladyloz]

Following restructure. He'll still be in post until end of Euro Champs.

Always happens in any organisation when new people at the top come on board - they like to put their stamp on things. Article references more support for personal coaches. Will be interesting to see what that involves once fleshed out.

Christian Malcolm: Ex-Olympic sprinter loses role as head coach of UK Athletics - BBC Sport

[LuckySpikes]

I've often wondered how these Head Coaches or Performance Directors fill their work-days. And do they actually have any positive impact on the performance of our top athletes? Beyond coming up with the details of the holding camp for major championships and providing a few soundbites for the media what do they actually do?! Make a few phone calls to check how our athletes are doing??

Thinking about what an international athlete needs, how is a Head Coach or Performance Director involved in that? ...

• A track to train at - Really doesn't need the help of Christian Malcolm
• A coach - If an athlete is changing coaches is there anything useful that Christian can do to help??
• Access to appropriate competition opportunities - Their coach and/or agent has a good grasp of all this. No need for Christian here
• Access to a good sports physiotherapist - If they need a new one I'm sure there's a receptionist at UKA who can email them a list of approved practitioners. Christian doesn't need to get involved
• Some funding if they're a full-time athlete - Yeah, Christian might be involved in decisions but there's a big committee that does all that

Is it just jobs for the boys?

[trickstat]

It is quite a good question really. A few other possibilities that might be relevant but this is largely guesswork:

Maybe identifying specific shortcomings in terms of coaches for particular events or a geographical area.

When it comes to funding decisions, the head coach may have knowledge that other members of the committee e.g. X didn't have a great year but they may know specific reasons why that happened that shouldn't apply next year.

I think in more specialist events in particular, athletes tend to know each other and possibly each other's coaches as well. So, for example, if a Pole Vaulter's relationship with their coach breaks down or their coach becomes unable to commit the time needed for whatever reason, they will often know a coach who is reasonably local via somebody they compete against.

[Ladyloz]

I think it's a good question overall. I guess the medical staff; sports science staff etc. and any other employed coaches also report to the Head Coach/Performance Director.

I suspect there is a lot of politics involved as well - dealing with UK Sport and the like

[Grassmarket]

It is like playing the concertina.

Position 1. Let’s support personal coaches at local level!.
Position 2: Let’s concentrate skills in Centres of Excellence!

Alternate every four years until the National Lottery system is abolished & the mighty money river dries up!

[marilyn1]

I've often wondered how these Head Coaches or Performance Directors fill their work-days. And do they actually have any positive impact on the performance of our top athletes? Beyond coming up with the details of the holding camp for major championships and providing a few soundbites for the media what do they actually do?! Make a few phone calls to check how our athletes are doing??

Thinking about what an international athlete needs, how is a Head Coach or Performance Director involved in that? ...

• A track to train at - Really doesn't need the help of Christian Malcolm
• A coach - If an athlete is changing coaches is there anything useful that Christian can do to help??
• Access to appropriate competition opportunities - Their coach and/or agent has a good grasp of all this. No need for Christian here
• Access to a good sports physiotherapist - If they need a new one I'm sure there's a receptionist at UKA who can email them a list of approved practitioners. Christian doesn't need to get involved
• Some funding if they're a full-time athlete - Yeah, Christian might be involved in decisions but there's a big committee that does all that

Is it just jobs for the boys?

Lucky , so appropriate. !!

[Occasional Hope]

Well, he didn't last long, did he?

[Sprintfan]

and he seemed to do a good job in Australia

[Occasional Hope]

Stephen Maguire appointed Technical Director: Stephen Maguire lands UKA technical director role - AW (athleticsweekly.com)