“Education is what matters. Passing an exam is but a fleeting measure of technique.
Paradoxically, the instinct to compare drives us on. We crave recognition of our endeavours through which we measure our finest qualities.”
Setting The Scene…
All but essential business has ceased and for the first time since the Second World War the UK Education System is on pause. The usual Exam based assessments have, by necessity, been abandoned and broader criteria adopted, at least temporarily.
Is this an opportunity to rethink the way we educate the generations to come? Do we have to continue in the same old ways? Are they tried, tested and true in a fast changing world?
What’s this got to do with a Golf Coach, no matter how passionate about Youth development?
Well, sports coaching is a form of and part of education. It follows that the same techniques and principles apply. But are we using the right ones? How do other National Systems compare?
I decided to do a little research and came across international studies comparing methods and outcomes. Finland seems to be impressive and worthy of consideration.
Here’s 6 things I believe Youth Sport can learn from the Finnish Educational System:
Create a Successful Culture: Anyone involved in sport will tell you how important Culture is (think of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United). A positive Culture increases the chances of sustainable success, a negative one destroys it. When athletes, coaches and organisations operate cohesively, success follows.
Youth Sports = Fun, Learning and Development: We want Children to fall in love with and benefit from all the wonderful experiences sport provides. By implementing a learning-through-play philosophy, and not taking Youth Sport too seriously, we lay a foundation of engagement that encourages lifelong participation - the bedrock of high performance.
Encourage Children to Sample, not Specialise: Fixating on a single sport at an early age is potentially harmful and often unnecessary. It robs a child of the opportunity to explore other sports they might be better at. Allow children to try a range of sports to facilitate a more rounded developmental approach.
Utilise an Unstructured Environment: In Youth Sport the ultimate outcome should be Children wanting to play sport, not Winning. Utilising a play based environment helps young athletes develop their emotional intelligence (creativity, decision making, perseverance, adaptability, social skills etc) as well as their athletic abilities. Sport now becomes a vessel for personal, not simply athletic development.
Foster a Great Coach-Athlete Relationship: A wholesome Coach-Athlete relationship is the foundation of a positive Culture and is a key indicator for success at any level.
Quality Coach Education is Essential: It’s been proven time and again that the quality of the Teacher determines the quality of the education. Its vital Coaches are educated to the highest standards.
Now get on and compete.
Final Thoughts…
We should perhaps at the very least use these difficult times to question ourselves.
Are our traditions barriers? If we can do it when pushed by existential forces should we be more open to other ideas and platforms?
Now is the time to CHANGE THE GAME!
Thanks for reading!
Oliver C. Morton
For those interested, you may find the following references useful:
WEBSITES:
- Big Think
- Smithsonian Magazine
- The Culture Trip
BOOKS:
- Creative Schools by Ken Robinson
- Let The Children Play… by Pasi Sahlberg and William Doyle
- RANGE by David Epstein
- Mindset by Dr Carol S. Dweck
DOCUMENTARITES:
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