Good coaching is about developing a lifelong love of sport in people and in a commitment to seeing the quality and number of coaches grow in Northland, the Northern Advocate has teamed up with Sport Northland to publish a question and answer feature piece on one local coach per month.
Monthly coach profile: Northern Football Federation's Dave Alabaster
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With over 40 years coaching football at club, regional and national levels, Northland's Dave Alabaster is a perfect subject to kick off our monthly profile on local coaches. Photo / John Stone
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Sport: Football
Current title: Northern Football Federation, Football Development Manager - Northland
Playing background: Fifteen years playing in the Northern, Southern and Central Leagues
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Training/Qualifications: NZF Level 3, National Academy Coaching Licence, NZF Coach Educators Licence
Coaching experience: Over 40 years coaching at club, representative, regional and national academy levels across junior, youth and senior levels (male and female).
Favourite author: David Baldacci, Lee Child
Favourite movie: One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest
Favourite meal: Sashimi, anything seafood
What has been your coaching role this year?
For the first time many years, I have no specific coaching role. Whilst I have been filling in and helping out, mostly in the junior talent space, my focus this year has been as a coach educator, coach developer and mentor.
Why do you coach?
To inspire others to be the best they can be so that together we can change the world we live in for the better.
How did you get into coaching?
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As a teenager I was encouraged to coach and found it enjoyable. Very early on, I realised how little I knew about the game and how much coaching taught me about my own game. I vowed that Northland footballers should have more opportunities than I had as a young player.
Who is the most influential coach/person in your life?
Alan Jones/Roger Wilkinson: inspired me to be a full time coach
John Herdman: inspired me to change my coaching philosophy
Jim Taylor: constantly challenges who I am
What is your most memorable moment/experience coaching?
Northland United being promoted to the Northern Premier League after losing 0-1 away at Kawerau and thinking we had blown it. A rollercoaster of emotions, incredible celebrations in the dressing room and a hell of a night.
How has your coaching changed?
It's become less about me and more about the players, become less about results and more about development, become less instructional and more questioning, and you realise the importance of fun (the players and me).
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How has coaching/sport changed?
The quality of the experience, particularly in the junior space, has improved dramatically from when I played and began coaching. The introduction of small-sided games in particular, have had a massive impact on how football is played and coached in NZ.
Sport in general is a lot more "customer"-focused and coaching has become much more player-centred. Football coaching has evolved from an emphasis on physical improvement, to technical development through to now, where the focus is on teaching "game intelligence".
What is the most important thing you do as a coach in the sector?
Recruiting, developing and retaining coaches and coach developers is essential in continuing to improve the experience of those participating in sport, especially at grassroots level.
What would be your number one coaching tip?
Ask questions, listen to the answers and never lose sight of why your players are there.
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