The Coaching Moment

The Primary 5 and Primary 6 girls (11 and 12 years) were gathered around the starting blocks yesterday morning at the end of practice. The budding superstar was sitting on the block facing out towards the pool, two others were standing talking to her and one was floating around. One of them suddenly noticed my Olympic ring. Strange because it has been visible every session she's attended. 'Wow!' she gasped, 'That's amazing.' Both girls who were standing turned to examine the ring but the fastest one stayed sitting on the block looking at the pool. 'You can have one of these,' I said to the one who'd noticed it but she shook her head in disbelief. 'Look at me.' I said, 'You can have one of these one day if you work hard and stay focussed.' A voice from the blocks mischieviously said, 'I can buy one.' 'No,'I responded, 'you have to earn one. In fact I'll buy it for you if you earn it. I buy one for every one my swimmers who makes an Olympic team.' Three pairs of eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and inspiration and one head stayed facing out over the water, her hands quietly clapping together and her head silently nodding in affirmative appreciation.

As the Zen Master said, 'We'll see.'