New Performance Lead

[bewildered]

A slightly different topic but still to do with performance.... I see BOF now have a non orienteer as 'performance lead'.... anyone know if that post was advertised & where???

from Gross

I thought this would be better on a different thread.

The answer is probably that it wasn't advertised as they appointed internally. Even if they had advertised, Steve would probably have been given the job!

Steve Vernon is a good cross country and mountain runner and a UKA L2 Coach. He isn't an orienteer. He does run for Stockport, so at least he is in the same club as Jackie Newton, another non-orienteer in the Performance Department.

This shows how much regard Mike Hamilton (another non-orienteer) and others have for Orienteers.

[madmike]

And if anyone is wondering where he went, I note that Toni L is now coaching Canada.

[Gross]

Bit like appointing a tennis pro to lead the performance badminton team.... they both involve a racket.... in orienteering they both involve running.

[Sunlit Forres]

I'm not qualified to comment with any pretence at credibility, but personally I think there is too much focus on technique in the UKCC coaching syllabus and not enough on athletic performance. It's a good thing having someone like Steve involved in the perormance side of things. There is plenty of technical expertise around within orienteering but perhaps not quite as much of the other.

[andypat]

I've seen Gross orienteering and it didnt involve much running...

[Jethro]

I've seen Gross orienteering and it didnt involve much running...

Believe it or not it used to involve a lot of running ...... but unfortunatley not much orienteering!

[bewildered]

I'm not qualified to comment with any pretence at credibility, but personally I think there is too much focus on technique in the UKCC coaching syllabus and not enough on athletic performance. It's a good thing having someone like Steve involved in the perormance side of things. There is plenty of technical expertise around within orienteering but perhaps not quite as much of the other.

I can comment with some knowledge. There is significantly more about the physical side in the Level 3, but it is still only a start. In the limited time available in the L2 and L3 it is only possible to skim the surface of coaching the fitness side if you want to spend time ensuring how to coach is covered and spend some time on what to coach from the orienteering technical side. I would err on wanting more orienteering technical stuff than the running side as the running side is easier to get elsewhere. For example, the L2 Fell and Mountain Running course gives a good start for coaching running in rough terrain. Even then you still need to read further and learn from others.

In sports such as rugby, at the professional level, there is usually a fitness/strength and conditioning coach that gets the players fit. Then there are forwards/backs/attack/defence coaches that work on the technical side. Finally there is the Head Coach that sets the style and overall game plan/strategy that the others work to. It is very unlikely for the Head Coach in a rugby team to come from another sport. So, if the Performance Lead is actually the fitness coach, then that is OK for him/her to be from a different running sport. If they are to be leading the coaching overall, then perhaps some understanding of orienteering would be helpful.

[ba-ba]

Look at what Tim Kerisson has done at Sky/British Cycling after coming in from Swimming, initially knowing next to nothing about cycling. This is a much more obvious 'segue'
I presume Steve will focus more on fitness whilst technical will be focussed on by someone well versed in the sport. I think this makes good sense and agree with bewildered. Anyone who thinks he'll be coaching some of the best navigators in the country at... navigation... are obviously having a brain fart akin to mine on control 5 on Stanton Moor!

As for Steve, look at what he's achieved and what in (XC through National, Euro and World level, Mountain running at the same levels), and some of the athletes he coaches at Stockport and further afield, and I'd struggle to find someone better to have input with the GB team regards fitness and running which - some orienteers may forget - a vital part of the sport at the top level . And anyone who suggests a lack of experience running through terrain - you obviously didn't see the mud at the National XC this year or when he won it at Alton Towers a couple of years back!

Saw Steve knocking around the BSC on Saturday so good to see him out and about. Would be nice to see him at a big event with a map in his hand having a go soon (his own race schedule permitting!)

[Sunlit Forres]

I can comment with some knowledge.

Thanks for that. Really helpful and kind of what I expected. It must also be good for the credibility of orienteering that we have people such as Steve helping to develop our top performers. I've only ever met him twice (once at a club development conference) and he certainly impressed me.

[Big Jon]

And anyone who suggests a lack of experience running through terrain - you obviously didn't see the mud at the National XC this year or when he won it at Alton Towers a couple of years back!

Sorry, a bit of mud does not equate to running at speed through rocky, brashy terrain while reading a map.....

[andy]

I love how some people are bashing Steve's skill at doing a job when they probably know little about the man other than the fact he can run in easy terrain very quickly... Give him a chance!

If he's good at the job he'll realise his limitations and find those who specialise in the different aspects of the sports. If he knows what he's talking about when it comes to running, psychology, diet and all the non-O specifics then he's well on his way. It's quite refreshing to see BOF not automatically going with an orienteer for the job actually, we have so many 'nearly there' athletes who are consistently performing in the top 10 or 20 at the world level that perhaps this is exactly what's needed to push them that little bit further? Perhaps even having someone who competes at a high level in a more well known sport will help with motivation? On all counts, time will tell.

[tomtom]

Steve takes part in MDOC's countryside score events when he has time.