Ian Hatfield Interview - 'The Coaching Mastermind'

Ian Hatfield is the mastermind behind junior Aussie phenomenon Ryan Gregson. Gregson attributes a lot of his successes to Hatfield's coaching, but Ryan is not the only runner Ian coaches. Hatfield is also responsible for World Junior, Youth, and XC rep Chloe Tighe, World Cross Country rep David Ricketts, and promising young gun Kevin Batt. Runner's Tribe chatted with Ian about his thoughts on coaching:

Runnerstribe: G'day Ian! First off, can you describe a bit about your coaching principles or philosophy?

IH: I have been involved in coaching for some 20 years, the last 13 years have been nearly on a "full time" basis since I retired from work in 1996. Whilst I have gained a wealth of knowledge over the period, especially in relation to training sessions, progression, strength and conditioning, nutrition, recovery, physiology, psychology, my basic principles and philosophy still remains unaltered. Track and Field Athletics is a wonderful sport (for which I have a great passion). Unfortunately it is not the high profile sport like rugby, soccer, AFL etc, although it is the sport that everyone wants to watch every 4 years at the Olympic Games. I strongly believe that as coaches we must strive to keep our young athletes interested in the sport in their early years, make it fun and enjoyable, have them say after a session "that was fun can I come back tomorrow". I believe too much emphasis is placed on the idea of winning at their early stages. During those early years our athletes should be taught technique, with plenty of drills, exercises and fun sessions that will serve as a good basis for senior years. I think young distance runners both male and female "clock up" too many kilometres. I also agree with the young athletes having another sport (preferably a team sport) to complement their track and field. As a coach when starting with a new athlete, I am also conscious of their "training years compared with their biological years", before embarking on a training program. If we can keep our young athletes interested in the sport up to say 18-19 years and if the passion is there, then we can start�to get serious about training. Natural talent is one thing but if one wants to succeed at the top level, it becomes hard work and usually with a lot of sacrifices.

RT: How did you get into coaching?

IH: I have always had a passion for Track & Field and whilst I didn't have the opportunities to do athletics, my three children joined Little Athletics. My youngest son Greg continued on after Little Athletics and went on to represent Australia at the World Schools Cross Country Championships. (Greg had the majority of the records in distance running in the local area, until a "bloke" by the name of Ryan Gregson came along). I started coaching him in his later years and I suppose his passion and commitment encouraged me to continue with my coaching career.

RT: What is it you love about coaching? What's the moment when you realise "this is all worth it"?

IH: Having a passion for the sport makes it easy to enjoy coaching. Helping someone achieve their goals, no matter at what level, is very satisfying and it is all worth it when you see the smiles on an�athlete's faces when they have achieved those goals whether in full or in part.

RT: What characteristics does someone need to be a good coach?

IH: There are many characteristics to becoming a good coach. A good listener and a good communicator are the most important. Coaches should always be learning and sometimes your athletes can teach you many ideas. They know their bodies, and we should listen. (All my athletes are very smart!)

RT: What are some of your favourite sessions?

IH: I love our hill sessions- they are great for style, technique and build strength in your legs. I also believe in doing regular pool sessions. Not only are they beneficial for recovery, they can be great for conditioning and core strength. For the senior athletes, the "good old fartlek" and 1km reps sessions are favourites.

RT: What distance or event do you enjoy coaching for the most?

IH: I originally started coaching sprints and relays but have migrated to distance coaching mainly due to the success of the distance runners in the squad and in particular Ryan Gregson (he has a habit of attracting distance runners to our group!). I do also enjoy coaching hurdles, it is technical and I enjoy that aspect of the discipline. I would have to say that the 1500m is my preferred distance to coach. Naturally with Ryan's success over the 1500m it is very exciting and I enjoy coaching that event. If you look at the history of 1500m runners, our own Edwin Flack (Gold at the 1st Modern Olympics in 1896 in 4.33.2) the Landy/ Bannister era (I know that was the mile-not much further), the Coe/ Ovett era, and even Australia's great Herb Elliott, and of course the current world record holder Hicham El Guerrouj (3.26), one would have to say that the 1500m is exciting and could be classed as the blue ribbon event at the Olympics. Consider Ryan's performances over 1500m. His heat and final at the World Junior Championships in Poland last year and his 1500m at this year's Sydney Track Classic where both exciting and memorable (well that's my story and I am sticking to it). So in short 1500m is the Blue Ribbon event.

RT: What are your thoughts on the long term development of athletes?

IH: I mentioned earlier that as coaches we need to try and keep our young athletes involved in the sport and "get them through those transition years" to senior level. This applies to all disciplines, but sometimes more importantly to distance runners because of the volume of kilometres recorded and the onset of injuries (for all sorts of reasons). It is therefore very important that we don't "burn them out" in those early years- make it fun, enjoyable, involve the athletes in team sports, teach them good technique, efficient running, and slowly progress their development, both physically and mentally. Mentally is associated with building confidence, and self belief. Then if they are still with us at the senior level then it becomes hard work, as long as we always remember the very important aspects such as, gradual progression, recovery, nutrition, and maintenance of one's body.

RT: How young should or could athletes be when they begin distance training?

IH: What age do you allow distance training to commence? That is a difficult one to answer. Last year I compiled a series of articles which were published in the magazine "Modern Athlete and Coach", published by the Australian Track & Field Coaches Association on distance running and the young athlete. I suggested some training sessions for 8 years/ 11 years / 14 years. For the 8 years it was mostly drills, technique, and fun activities. At 11 years I suggested the continuance of 8 years activities, with the addition of some longer runs, maybe the start of "distance training". As coaches we are probably all guilty of letting some of our younger distance athletes "do too much" and so we have to be mindful of their training years compared to their biological years and remember the steady progression and don't burn them out philosophies. I believe, in Europe especially in schools they are very conscious of the steady progression principle and don't allow long distance running for young athletes (what I don't like to see is 9 and 10 year old "children" doing events like the "City to Surf" etc).

RT: You have had some incredible success with Ryan Gregson. What do you put that success down to?

IH: In short, his passion and his genes from his parents. To elaborate, his passion equals so many things, his dedication and commitment both to training and competition, his desire to succeed, his belief in himself, his commitment to do what I call the "one-percent-ers" away from the track (the stretching, exercises, massages, physio/chiro visits, ice baths, nutrition and all the other little aspects that keep your body healthy), and of course he does have talent, an heredity trait. His mother and father were accomplished athletes and to some extent still are. Ryan's mother, Sue still holds a 400m record at her high school! (Well, we now know where Ryan gets his paralysing burst of speed over the last 400m in the 1500m races that he has shown on many occasions). Sue was also an accomplished hockey player and only retired from playing 1st grade last year. Steve was a rugby league player with a "touch of speed". So Ryan was destined to be a great athlete.

RT: What kind of athlete is Ryan to Coach?

IH: His passion for the sport makes Ryan a delight to coach. I have coached Ryan since he was 6 years (not distance training then, just games ,style and technique and short runs, sticking to my principles) I was always very careful with his progression and even though he wanted to do more I had to keep a "leg rope on him" at times. Ryan was a larrikin, energetic, inquisitive, but always had that desire to be 1st across the line, even when they did their warm ups and easy "run-thrus". His attempts at performing drills were not "text book" style. (I have a video to prove it!). However with a lot of patience and perseverance (a quality a coach must have) Ryan did improve. The other wonderful quality Ryan displays is his support to all the younger and older athletes in our group and also to his fellow competitors. If you ever notice after a race Ryan will always wait and congratulate every competitor. (Hopefully all athletes will do that one day.) Ryan is a very valuable member of my squad.

RT: Where do you see Ryan progressing in the immediate future, and later future?

IH: Ryan has now entered the senior ranks. This year will be a big year for him. He will experience life with "the big boys" and it will be a big test for him. But Ryan knows this and he also realises he has a lot of hard work to do if he is to become a successful elite athlete in the senior ranks. I am confident he will succeed. He will leave for Europe next week (Ed: He has been in Europe for a few weeks now)�where he will train and compete in a number of events. He will train with Australia's top athletes, namely Collis Birmingham, Nick Bromley, and Jeff Riseley, under the guidance of Nic Bideau. Nic and I communicate on a regular basis, and I feel very relaxed and happy for Nic to look after him during his time in Europe. Nic and I have similar training philosophies and he has been a wonderful mentor and advisor to both Ryan and myself over the past 3 years. He will then compete for Australia at the World University Games in Belgrade, Serbia in July. During these events Ryan has the chance to run an "A" qualifier in the 1500m (3.36.2) and then a realistic chance of being selected to compete for Australia at the World Track & Field Championships in Berlin, Germany from 15th-23rd August 2009. If he is selected I will be there.I am sure the rest of the running fraternity and many others wish him success. As his coach I do and I know he will give 100% effort .His longer plans (remembering he was 19 in April) are to continue to become fitter and stronger, gain more experience at a senior level and try and stay injury free, all of which will enable him to become a very successful elite athlete. Commonwealth Games in India in 2010 is a realistic possibility and of course London Olympics in 2012 (book your flights now!)

RT:You have also had a lot of success with other junior athletes- who should we be looking out for?

IH: I consider all my athletes are champions. Some are still young and many can achieve success. What level of success is something I try not to focus on in detail but at this stage there are a number of promising athletes, who are either advancing into senior ranks and some who have realistic changes of making World Junior selection in 2010: 1) Danni Gregson (20)- Ryan's sister- a very accomplished 400m runner.(Danni is returning to athletics after her very promising hockey career was ended with ACL and cartilage operations. Fortunately her running is not affected. 2) Daniel Jones (20)- also 400m and selected in the first round of the 400m fast track program. 3) Melissa Logan (18)- 400m Hurdler- National medal winner. 3) Chloe Tighe (18) - 1500m/3000m/ Cross Country,- Australian representative at World Cross Country, World Youth, and World Junior Championships. 4) David Ricketts (18) - 1500m >> 5000m/Cross Country, also an Australian representative at this year's World Cross Country Championships, and a multiple National Medal winner. 5) Kevin Batt (18) - a recent addition to the squad1500m>>5000m/Cross Country a National medal winner. I also have a number of promising junior athletes who I am confident will progress to representative status, but I do not want to elaborate and burden them with added pressure due to unrealistic expectations at this stage of their careers.

RT: What are your thoughts on the state of distance running in Australia, and around the world?

IH: Distance running is very healthy and strong in Australia. The "crop" of young distance runners is very encouraging and with steady progression to senior ranks all looks good for the sport. To see the large number of competitors at various events shows that the sport and distance running is thriving. Thanks should go to all the coaches who are nurturing these promising athletes and a special thanks to the State Associations and Athletics Australia and in particular to Tim O'Shaughnessy-National Distance Coordinator, who has through his passion for the sport encouraged and implemented many programs to develop this great group of distance runners. He has been a huge supporter and sounding board for both Ryan and myself. Credit should also go to our own runners, Craig Mottram and more recently Collis Birmingham who have shown that they can be competitive and winners on the World stage. Even Ryan's recent success has "raised the bar in distance running" and no doubt the younger athletes are encouraged and have a desire to chase those records and try to emulate Ryan's performances. Distance running around the World is also very strong. Distance running covers a wide spectrum, from 800m through to marathons, as well as cross country events. One just has to look at the number of events held around the world and thus the number of competitors. The financial rewards offered for the numerous events held, attract the best quality runners in the world. When one looks at the various disciplines in Track& Field distance running can hold "its head high" and Australians have to compete against "many" athletes. The success of our distance runners on the world stage is thus very impressive.

RT: If you were in charge of running throughout Australia, what changes would you make?

IH: Running, and in particular distance running is strong at the moment as mentioned above, so there is not a lot to change. The State Associations and Athletics Australia are doing an excellent job of raising the profile of Athletics in Australia considering the limited resources available. It is difficult to secure adequate sponsorship on a long term basis, and even more difficult trying to compete with the other codes of sport, where funding seems to be in abundance. Greater funding would help in so many ways. The Junior Development programs are important and should continue to be funded. The new and talented group of athletes have all been part of these programs. The experience gained at the various Junior World Championships have vindicated their establishment. The building of friendships, self esteem and confidence, has given the athletes the desire and determination to strive to become successful elite athletes. Our senior elite athletes need support to compete overseas and to have our National Championships and the various Grand Prix events televised direct would do wonders for athletics. A "hobby horse" I have always had is to have a State of Origin competition- relays etc, held in conjunction with the State of Origin football series. What better way to showcase our athletes, in front of many thousands of passionate sports loving Australians. I have seen it happen before where athletic events have been staged during intervals at cricket matches.

Share on Facebook

 

�