IF I CAN DO IT, YOU CAN TOO … POINTERS FOR TEACHERS, COACHES, PARENTS

I WAS privileged to have met some of our national coaches last month.

It was a learning experience for me.

I have trained and “coached” teenage soccer and volleyball players and appreciated listening to those who were more experienced than me.

One of the coaches told me something that I thought much about.

He said despite being a coach, he tried to remain physically fit.

He is lean and looks fitter than some of us who are a few years younger than him.

He told me that he still does his sit-ups, about 50 in one session.

He even challenged the young ones (who may be 20 years younger than him) to do the same number of sit-ups that he does.

In other words, he, the older man, challenges the young ones with: “If I can do it, why can’t you?”

Photo: Amoa PNG men's volleyball coach Tommy Luis (left) and trainer Aaron Alsop in celebration after PNG beat Wallis and Futuna for the gold on Sept 11. - Pic by ANDREW MOLEN, PNGOC MEDIA

Good parents, good teachers and good coaches think alike.

Moreover, their level of thinking and standards set the level that the players/athletes would go.

A teacher who has excelled would urge his students to strive for excellence.

A coach who once held the top trophy in his/her hands years ago would also urge his/her team to work towards winning the same trophy.

Are you planning to teach, coach or parent young people?

Then, raise your level of thinking.

As some say, your students generally cannot go where you have not.

Cheers.