COACH OFTHE YEAR 2012NOMINATION

SHANE DALZIEL

COACH PROFILESHANE DALZIEL

Current Positions held:

Head Coach Alexandra Headlands SLSC

Talent Identification Coach, Sunshine Coast Queensland Canoeing

Coaching Qualifications & Experience:

Level 3 Accredited Surf & Kayak Coach with 20 years’ coaching experience including:

• Coach of the Australian Surf Lifesaving teams in the Tri Nations Championships

• Coached over 35 National Medalists in Surf Lifesaving / Kayaking / Outrigging and Nippers

• Member of the National High Performance Coach Panel

• Developed many of the Surf Sports greatest athletes including; Kristy Munroe, Kerrie Thomas, Allira Richardson, Michael King, Ben Allen, Dean Mercer, Hayley Bateup, Nathan Day.

Personal Sporting Achievements

Surf Lifesaving

• Australian Representative 5 years - 2 x Australian Men’s Open Ski Champion

• Captain of the Queensland Team 4 years

• Queensland Representative 10 years

Kayaking

• Australian Representative 2 x World Sprint Championships

• Australian Representative 1 x World Marathon Kayaking Championships - Gold Medalist

Responses in this submission have been contributed by:Bo Hanson – 3 times Olympic medalist (rowing), Coaching Consultant and Director of Athlete Assessments

Peter Green – Alexandra Headland SLSC Swim Captain

Andrew Buhk – Director, Alexandra Headland SLSC

Photos Courtesy of Jackie Eaton-Sinclair

Compliation & DesignJacki Hull - Stimuli Marketing & DesignLeanne Holman - Stimuli Word Architect

Bootcamp

HOW HAS THE COACH CONTRIBUTED TO THE OVERALL ORGANISATION, PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SURF / KAYAKING ON THE SUNSHINE COAST?

Shane has created a much-needed bridge between kayaking and surf skiing, as well as surf sports in general. Through his dedication as volunteer kayaking coach (prior to becoming the Sunshine Coast TalentIdentificationcoachforQueenslandCanoeing) he has created a large squad of more than 30 athletes who train with him bothintheflatwaterdisciplineandassurfsports competitors through the Alexandra Headland SLSC.

Shane’s commitment to training these athletes has boosted the competitive membership of the Alexandra Headland SLSC to the point where it is now a major force in surf sports carnivals, despite the club being smaller in size than rival competitors such as Northcliffe and Mooloolaba.

As Head Coach of the Alexandra Headland SLSC, Shane has developed a variable program encompassing all competitor skill levels.

He involves experienced former competitors as assistant coaches to contribute their different skills in specialised areas appropriate to surf life saving. For example, Shane encouraged the appointment of Janelle Pallister (nee Elford), a former Olympic swimmer, to support the development of swimming technique.

Shane has also developed a pathway taking juniors and beginners trough to intermediate and advanced open competitions. His program has been extremely successful as shown by the Alex Heads SLSC U/15 boys team dominating the Australia Surf Life Saving Titles in 2011-2012. The squad won three out of a possible four different team events and came second in the fourth event. Three boys achieved places of 1st, 3rd and 5th in the overall men’s point score for those titles. These great results emphasises the impact of Shane’s coaching on the squad.

Often the mark of a successful coach is in

their ability to develop untapped and even

unrecognised talent and to help those athletes

realise the possibilities of being a great performer.

Nik Green won Ironman @ 2012 Australian Titles

IN WHAT WAY(S) HAS THE COACH BEEN EFFECTIVE IN ASSISTING ATHLETES ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL GOALS IN SURF / KAYAK?The mark of a successful coach is their ability to develop untapped and even unrecognised talent, and to help those athletes realise the possibilities of being a great performer. Shane has done this particularly with athletes from Alexandra Headlands SLSC, Jy Duffy, who represented Australia as a Kayaker in 2012, and Alyssa Bull whoqualifiedforthe2012/13KellogsNutri-Grain Ironwoman Series, as well as others who are prospering at different clubs.

He develops a personal plan for each athlete with his or her ultimate personal goals in mind. His programs are designed to push the athlete’s boundaries to be the best they can be both mentally and physically. His programs also professionally prepare them for that next competition. This was evidenced in 16 year old Alyssa Bull whose ultimate goal was to become a competitor in the Nutri-Grain Ironman series.

Shane devised a program for Alyssa at the beginning of the year to help her compete in the Coolangatta Gold U/19s event. Alyssa’s preparation was such that she won that event by a huge margin, beating much older competitors.

Shane’s coaching developed Alyssa’s belief in her own ability and shifted her goals higher. Just a few months later, Alyssa entered the Nutri-Grain Trials and came second, achieving her goal of becoming not only a Nutri-Grain iron woman, but also the youngest competitor for the 2012-13 series.

He works individually with athletes to manage their goals and expectations to help them reach performance levels without undue stress or pressure. His approach is to “compete with maximum ambition but minimum expectation”. The result is that the athletes continue to have fun with their sports.

Shanehasneverbeenselfishinhisambitionsfor his athletes and this is a remarkable characteristic. Many coaches prevent their athletes from leaving them, but Shane encourages his athletes to look for new opportunities where they exist to help further develop the individual. He has as a clear goal to see his athletes be successful for their ownpersonalprideandbenefit,nothisown.

HOW HAS THE COACH INSPIRED AND ENCOURAGED ATHLETES TO PROGRESS IN THEIR SPORT?

Shane has a massive passion for what he does. It is rare to see an athlete who has become a coach, remain as passionate about their sport as Shane has. He advocates being a life long learner in your chosen sport, and to always look for ways to improve. This is a wonderful example for younger athletes who are encouraged to see sport as something that becomes a part of their life forever. He shows his athletes that they too can make a contribution to the surf club they are part of.

As a coach it is important to realise that not all athletes have the same skills. A coach needs to be able to identify the skill that each athlete has inside them, to nurture that talent with enthusiasm and motivation, and when that talent develops, polish it with hard work.

An example of this is the raw talent Shane identifiedinJyDuffy.Asajunior,Jyenjoyedsurf lifesaving sports, competing in swim and board events. He was an athlete who worked extremely hard for a moderate amount of success. Shane recognised his ability and at the appropriate time encouraged him to take up ski paddling and kayaking. Jy showed promise and with Shane’s expert tutelage progressed quickly from a novice who had never paddled a ski or kayak to the point that he is now a top ranked ski paddler in his age group.

With Shane’s continuing encouragement and commitment, Jy pursued kayaking and won a place in the Australian Representative Team to contest the Olympic Hopes Regatta in Hungary. Jy came home as the 5th fastest kayak paddler in the world in his age group in the K1 1000m event. Shane spent endless hours coaching Jy through the winter months, allonavoluntarybasiswithaselflessnessthatis truly rare. His dedication to his athletes is second to none

Shane’s own achievements in surf and kayaking and his willingness to be on the water training with his athletes, and showing them from his own experience offers great inspiration. He then reinforces his training by involving other high quality athletes or former athletes to provide ongoing advice and guidance to help his athletes be the best they can.

Shane also shares his passion with the older “masters” athletes who he helps prepare for club representative events. He does not diminish their goals when compared to the younger “elite” athletes. He clearly represents a coach who knows that all athletes have their personal goals to achieve and he helps in whatever way he can to ensure they attain what they are working for.

Shane trains senior and junior members of the surf club together so that they learn from one another, and so that the younger members aspire to level of the senior members.

Coaching Lake Kawana

2012 State Titles

There is a saying, “You catch more bees with honey than with vinegar”. This is Shane’s approach to coaching. With a big squad of up to 50 competitors of mixed ages ranging from pre teen to open, it would be understandable if a coach would get frustrated andoccasionallyshout.Shanedoesn’tfindthisnecessary.Hepreferstotalktotheathletes individually, to offer advice on technique and assurance on their progress. This encouragement is vital for the younger and more vulnerable athletes so they enjoy what can be a very physically demanding sport.

Shane provides an excellent balance of discipline and friendly interaction with the athletes. His conduct is wholly and solely aimed at bringing the best out with the kids by being a coach who has to be tough at times, by being a friend who can have a joke or listen to problems, and by helping the athletes develop as young adults as members of the community – not just athletes.

All parents rightfully feel that their child is special and want them to be treated as such; Shane’s enthusiasm and support of all athletes make him a very appreciated and respected coach by both athletes and parents.

Shane is renowned in the Club for conducting himself in a respectful manner with everyone he coaches. His knows his actions and behaviour are a role model for the behaviours and actions he wants to see in his athletes.

WHAT IS THE CONDUCT OF THE COACH? IS THE COACH A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL FOR THE ATHLETES AND FOR THE OTHER COACHES AND PARENTS?

DOES THE COACH PROVIDE STABLE AND CONSISTENT LEADERSHIP qUALITIES?

Each and every time Shane trains he gives his best, even on days when he has been coaching for up to 7 hours in a harsh outdoor environment. This is enormously tiring, yet he findsitawonderfulthingtobeabletodo.His consistent approach is a great strength and it makes it impossible to not want to train hard when Shane is showing the commitment he makes to you as his coach.

Athletes need to understand their coach’s methods and motives. Shane talks to every athlete about his or her goals and the commitment required to obtain them. As with his encouragement, his discipline is also delivered individually. His stable and consistent approach allows a relationship to form between coach and athlete and permits the athlete to concentrate on their performance.

In addition, Shane is devoted to developing leadership skills among the athletes he trains. He has appointed a leadership group within his athletes to enhance their personal development. Each person in the group is required to assist in coaching and the speak to the squad before and during competition, to motivate, encourage and discuss tactics

andconditions.Theyfulfillanintegralroleas not only peers but also mentors to the younger members, whilst learning a valuable leadership role.

Shane believes to achieve your best you must have the best information. With this attitude he invited the following experts to speak to his squad:

• Dual Olympian Janelle Pallister (nee Elford) - swimming

• Triple Olympic medalist Bo Hansen (rowing), who spoke about training and motivation

• Dr Fiona Pelly - a nutritional expert from the Sunshine Coast University spoke of the importance of nutrition and hydration, and

• Physiotherapist Tim Elsmore regularly takes the squad through a stretching program for the prevention of injuries.

Shane has a well thought out and totally balanced program to ensure the physical, emotional and personal development of his squad.

2012 World Lifesaving Championships - Alex Masters Ladies

DOES THE COACH TEACH AND PRACTICE CO-OPERATION, SELF-DISCIPLINE AND RESPECT?

Surf life saving and kayaking competitions require a lot of equipment. Shane teaches hisathletesthat“manyhandsmakelightwork”.Heisalwaysfirsttoassistwitherectinga tent or loading a ski/kayak trailer. His ‘leading by example’ approach has enveloped a wonderful team spirit and a willingness to help other members of the squad. This has continued with the squad respecting and supporting each other in not only sporting events but in social situations as well.

By coaching all levels of athletes from juniors to masters Shane provides an excellent balance of dealing with new and developing skills through to elite competitors and then on to mature athletes, potentially looking to face new challenges in sport as a master. Shane goes out of his way to manage equipment and personnel resources to ensure everyone gets the best possible opportunity to achieve their goals, whether it is basic skills oreliterefinementtoachievehigh-levelresults.

Hehassignificantskillsindealingwithawiderangeproblems,socialandpsychologicalissues that arise for all members of the club, whether it is junior children, adolescent teenagers, elite athletes or mature/aging athletes.

Shane pushed to appoint a female assistant coach to ensure that the needs and specificissuesassociatedwithbothgenderscanbemanagedwellwithintheclubsothat all prosper.

2012 Australian Lifesaving Championships

HAS THE COACH SHOWN A PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE AND ExCELLENT DEDICATION?

To call Shane dedicated would be an understatement. Shane’s professionalism is outstanding. Being on the kayak course or beach at 5.00am almost every morning and then back there again till 6.30-7.00pm each night, plus coaching on weekends at competitions and all the preparation of training programs, gear and equipment and entries for competition takes time and dedication.

He is always at every training session on time, or if needed he will organise a highly experienced replacement. All his squads are made available not only to the open competitors but also to masters and any member of another club. This year Shane has had athletes from local clubs as well as competitors from North Queensland, Tasmania and Trigg Island Western Australia training with him.

He ensures the athletes can show up to competitions and be assists in every way to achieve their goals. He speaks with all athletes before their events to discuss conditions and tactics, picks up athletes psychologically when they need it, and discusses positive actions to help them improve if a performance doesn’t turn out as planned.

Shane believes the best way to watch and understand an athlete is to be in the water with them, training right beside them. This dedication and professionalism further brings cohesiveness to the coach – athlete - team relationship.

The additional aspects of Shane’s coaching environment that make it challenging is the uncontrollable factors of always being inasurfenvironmentandoftenindifficultelements. Shane manages to stay highly composedatalltimeswhichisverydifficultto do when you have such responsibility for others’ well-being.

Often, when out in a surf environment, the training is actually secondary to ensuring your athletes are always 100% safe. Shane has a wonderful record of managing injury and this is because he is so tuned in to how his athletes are coping with and managing the conditions. There have been occasions where Shane actually paddled Coolangatta Gold Competitors’ surf skis to the start line because the surf was too big for them to paddle through. That is his level of care for others, which showcases his dedication and professionalism.

2012 Australian Lifesaving Championships

HAS THE COACH SHOWN COMMITMENT TO PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THEIR COACHING?

“I personally have worked with Shane in the role of a coaching mentor for several years now and make recommendations to read and develop in numerous ways. Shane always has an open mind approach to further developing himself. He is constantly looking at technical models, doing courses on physiology and, through the work we have done together, creating a better understanding of his athletes’ personality as well as building his own self-awareness on his coaching style.” (Bo Hanson, Director, Athlete Assessments).

Shane has been our coach for the past four years. During this time he has helped us win Australian Medals as well as several competition medals at Branch and State Level.

He as a coach has not only developed our craft skills and improved our abili-ty to read surf conditions but also assisted with the development of our metal attitude to improve our self belief. He has also advised us on nutrition and given advice leading into competition. He focuses on technique and makes sure we understand why technique is important. His own personal experi-ence is invaluable to his training regime.

Over the past two years during in what is supposed to be the “off” season, Shane supported us both to assist us with training for the Coolangatta Gold. This competition is very different for the short course style of racing that we trainforallyear.Hedevelopedatrainingschedulethatwouldreflecttheconditions that we were to expect during this event. He also gave consider-ation to our studies and part time job commitments, whatever time we could get there Shane would always make himself available.

Shane has over the past four years has played a vital role in building what is today a great team of athletes here at Alexandra Headland Club.He shows commitment, dedication and immense passion for the sport which makestrainingwithShaneenjoyable,funandbeneficialtoachieveourgoals in this sport.

Regards

Sam and Alyssa Bull

Submitted via email

TESTIMONIALS

Scott DuffyBuderim Qld

Ph 0411 239 527

26/07/2012

I first met Shane Dalziel some years ago through his role as Head Coach at the AlexandraHeadland Surf Lifesaving Club, where my son Jy competed as a “Nipper”.

As Jy progressed into the senior ranks of the club, Shane suggested he “come and trykayaking” at some sessions he was running as volunteer coach for the Kawana WatersCanoe Club.

That was in July 2010.

Shane obviously recognised something in Jy, as in the 2 years since he has taken him fromnot being able to sit in a kayak to winning 4 bronze medals at the 2012 National Sprint KayakTitles and being selected as a member of the Olympic Hopes Australian Team to travel toHungary in September 2012.

Shane’s generous giving of his time, his knowledge of the sport of kayaking, his attention todetail, and his uncanny ability to get his message across to paddlers of all ability levels,combine to make him a wonderful mentor to any aspiring athlete.

I have been privileged to watch Shane over the past couple of years, and his ability to imparthis extensive knowledge of paddling technique and the disciplines associated with paddlingare most impressive.

He interacts well with paddlers of all levels, and is particularly adept at getting the best outof young paddlers. Through his skills and approach he has been instrumental in introducingmany new paddlers to both the surf club and the kayak club.

He is a first rate coach and an outstanding role model for young paddlers.

His devotion to the sport means he would be an outstanding asset to any organisation whoengaged him in a coaching capacity.

Shane has my utmost support and recommendation for any coaching position he pursues.

Sincerely,

Scott DuffyPh 0411 239 527