08/09/2026
Huge congratulations to Alan Lewis completing his Advanced Coach Program (ACP).
The ACP is a two-year learning initiative to develop coaches who are highly skilled in working with juniors adult club players and talented young players.
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🏑 THE CERTIFICATE ISN'T THE ACHIEVEMENT
Over the weekend, I graduated from the GB Advanced Coaching Programme.
And yes, the certificate is cool.
But the certificate doesn't make me a better coach.
The journey has.
Over the last few years I've had to put my coaching under a level of scrutiny that, at times, has felt incredibly uncomfortable.
Matches recorded.
A GoPro pointing directly at me on the sideline.
Mic'd up during games.
Then sitting down afterwards and analysing every minute.
What did I say?
Why did I say it?
Did the players actually need me to say anything?
What did I miss?
Did my behaviour match the coach I thought I was?
That's where the development happens.
Being prepared to be vulnerable.
Being prepared to get things wrong.
Being prepared to have your ideas challenged.
And then going back onto a hockey pitch and trying to be better next time.
A qualification doesn't automatically make somebody a good coach.
But creating environments where coaches are challenged, supported, observed and encouraged to reflect can absolutely make them better.
Which brings me to a much bigger question for hockey.
We often talk about the number of coaches we have, the number we need and how we attract more people into coaching.
But getting someone to start coaching is only part of the challenge.
How do we get more coaches engaged in meaningful development and give them the support, opportunities and confidence to keep progressing and achieve whatever their own coaching ambitions might be?
What would make YOU invest more in your development as a coach?