Is it my imagination or is the smarter gender under represented in masters swimming. I would like to get some real numbers to confirm my observations. Forumites like Rick Osterberg, can you give some data about the ratio of men to women at USMS meets? Perhaps we could break it down by age group (I can hear the CPUs humming at Chris Stevenson's place all the way from up here in Mass).
If women are under represented, then I would like to discuss the causes of the imbalance and begin to work on improving the ratio.
I can only speak to my own experience as a masters coach and swimmer.
Until I started coaching, I was not very aware of the low numbers or smaller percentage of women in the masters swim workouts. The swimmers were just lane mates and training partners. I was looking for compatible athletes for pacing and fitness male or female.
But as a new coach, it became clear to me that female athletes (generally - not exclusively) need a coach who can not only challenge them, but communicate, inspire, and encourage.
It goes as well for some male athletes. Especially as they start up in a program or return from time off. But generally, male athletes are self-motivated or motivated by "trash-talk" among each other which is cool and it works.
Once a swimmer is set with lane mates or friends on the team, this responsibility becomes an effort shared between coach and the team of athletes.
I like to call it a team culture.
Some masters clubs have it and some do not.
Coaches who do not understand the concept of a great team culture (GTC) are probably impatient, burned out, not willing to spend minutes on deck outside the published workout times, have an agenda outside of building a great masters swim club.
Sometimes it is one coach within a team of coaches who is very good at this type of team building. This can work, but the team of coaches must actively communicate with each other regularly.
If your club is missing this type of coach, either find one and hire her/him right away - or create a group of swimmers within the team who can provide this type of consistent support.
Clubs grow and thrive with a great team culture. The club does not have to be large to have a GTC.
Female swimmers love a GTC - and a female coach on the coaching team can help balance and create a more welcoming atmosphere for them.
Ahelee
P.S.
This post has nothing to do with my own personal quest for all clubs to have a GTC!
:)
I can only speak to my own experience as a masters coach and swimmer.
Until I started coaching, I was not very aware of the low numbers or smaller percentage of women in the masters swim workouts. The swimmers were just lane mates and training partners. I was looking for compatible athletes for pacing and fitness male or female.
But as a new coach, it became clear to me that female athletes (generally - not exclusively) need a coach who can not only challenge them, but communicate, inspire, and encourage.
It goes as well for some male athletes. Especially as they start up in a program or return from time off. But generally, male athletes are self-motivated or motivated by "trash-talk" among each other which is cool and it works.
Once a swimmer is set with lane mates or friends on the team, this responsibility becomes an effort shared between coach and the team of athletes.
I like to call it a team culture.
Some masters clubs have it and some do not.
Coaches who do not understand the concept of a great team culture (GTC) are probably impatient, burned out, not willing to spend minutes on deck outside the published workout times, have an agenda outside of building a great masters swim club.
Sometimes it is one coach within a team of coaches who is very good at this type of team building. This can work, but the team of coaches must actively communicate with each other regularly.
If your club is missing this type of coach, either find one and hire her/him right away - or create a group of swimmers within the team who can provide this type of consistent support.
Clubs grow and thrive with a great team culture. The club does not have to be large to have a GTC.
Female swimmers love a GTC - and a female coach on the coaching team can help balance and create a more welcoming atmosphere for them.
Ahelee
P.S.
This post has nothing to do with my own personal quest for all clubs to have a GTC!
:)
