COACHING COMMITTEE Versus DUTIES, ISSUES & What should be done?

What is the role of the Coaching Committee?

Based on Clause 30 in the Constitution, there is 3 duties:

1. Shall Govern the standard of coaches by conducting courses, seminars, workshops and examination or evaluation.

2. Shall recommend to the Executive Board for the appointment of coaches at all level based on merit.

3. Maintain a register of all qualified coaches.

The key question here, how did the Board agreed that the President to be the Coaching Chairman. For proper governance, a President should stay neutral and would not be involved in Sub-Committee level except for Finance. 

But currently the President is also the Chairman of Coaching Committee. Over the years, very rare for a President to reside a Committee that requires high level of technical hockey knowledge. But in Malaysia, anything is impossible. 

And to be appointed as Chairman of Coaching, there must be some qualifications or processes to be fulfilled. In normal circumstances, the Chairman of Coaching Committee, must at least have played some modern International hockey with valid Coaching background and who understands sports science requirements & technology aspect plus hockey rules.

Anyway, the Prevailing Issues in Malaysian Hockey Coaching scenario:

• Lack of proper qualification to handle National & State teams.
• Lack experience profile as a coach.
• Lack success profile as a coach. 
• Lack the knowledge and demands of modern hockey - sports science and sports medicine.
• Lack  understanding of the players - to motivate the best in them.
• Lack analytical outlook to ascertain profile of competitors.
• Lack the knowledge and understanding  of adapting to modern technology - to enhance team performance.
• Lack  of focus on the assignment.
• Unable to create a discipline environment among players.
• Limited talent of Coaches at all levels.
• Insufficient qualified Indoor hockey coaches - the game is not encouraged. 
• No proper salary scheme and pathway to create a career in coaching.
• No International FIH Coaching Courses. Annually there must 3-5 Coaching International Courses in a year by taking advantage of hosting the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup & Sultan Johor Cup.
• Similar Coaches in the Set-up for the last 6 to 10 years
• No Promotion & Development of Young Potential Coaches
• Coaching Syllabus outdated
• The Instructors of Coaching Courses lack qualification & experience
• No Database of Coaches from Grassroots till High Performance level

The Coaching Committee should be doing the following but been dormant. This Committee is a key component for Malaysian hockey to be a successful one.

- Established a clear pathway with Vision & Mission of Malaysian Coaching Methodology & it must be defined and applied.

- Set-up a detailed Hockey Coaching Calendar for 4 years for Indoor, Outdoor & Hockey 5's.

- Organised yearly 2-3 FIH/AHF International Courses for Indoor & Outdoor.

- Update the Syllabus of High Performance & Development Coaches based on current tactical & technical requirements with latest changes in rule of hockey.

- Engaged with ISN on the Sports Science Courses from Level 1 to Level 3.

- Working closely with MOE & MSSM to enhance the School Teachers Coaching Methodology & their modern hockey knowledge as they play a very significant part at Grassroots & Development stage. Therefore, the Coaching quality at school level cannot be compromised.

- Make it compulsory for all Affiliates to organised a min of 3 Level 1. 2 Level 2 Coaching Courses in a year & keep an online database. As Level 3 will be organised by MHC during National Championship.

- New Syllabus for Indoor Hockey & Hockey 5's must be established.

- Proper qualified Instructors must be selected based on qualification and merit.

- Separate Yearly Budget for Coaching must be allocated.

- Form & appoint credential members to grade the Coaches from Level to Level 3 and selecting the qualified ones for FIH/AHF Coaching Courses.

- Online Coach Education & Videos/Coaching Materials must be made available on the website.

But knowing the Confederation & their attitude that they would never be interested in improving the level of Coaches in Malaysia. When was the last International Coaching Courses held in Malaysia or when last any Coaches were send to attend FIH/AHF Coaching Courses. Webinar Coaching & Classroom standards cannot match the real classroom courses with real tough assignments and practical on field followed by off the field video analysis. 

Echoed by Former International & Coach, Lim Chiow Chuan who is an Instructor actively involved with FIH/AHF Coaching System.

So has the Committee fulfilled their Constitution duties by reading the above issues. Anyway, the current Committee is like a dead fish go with the flow...

Have a great weekend folks and thanks for your undivided support...