Coaches coached at Ohakune

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 239, 12 April 1988, Page 16

Coaches coached at Ohakune

An international line-up of top gymnastic coaches converged on the Waimarino last week for the International Olympic Committee's week-long coaching of coaches course. Amongst the experts was the team coach to the British Olympic gymnasts, John Atkinson. John Atkinson MBE was born in 1937. He gained a degree in Physical Education at Cardiff University. He then taught in Coventry where he started his own club until joining the British Amateur Gymnastics Association

staff as a full-time coach in 1973. His initial appointment was National Coach (Men); from 1974-78 he was National Staff Coach (Men); from 1978-84 he was Director of National Training and from January 1984 to date, Technical Director. During this time he has coached and lectured in Eastern Bloc countries as well as many other countries in the world. He has been team manager for seven world championships, three Olympic games, five European Championships, two world school championships, two world student games and many other

major internationals. Much of his time has also been involved in coaching many British Champions and he has been instrumental in British Gymnastics rising in the world rankings. His first time in New Zealand, Mr Atkinson was very impressed. He was also moved to comment on the facilities in the Ruapehu College community gymnasium and the standard of New Zealand gymnasts. "For a community of its size the facilities are very good - with a little effort they could be excellent." "The young New Zealand male and female gymnasts are very talented and could challenge Australia in the CommonwealthGames, " he said. "It must be a crippling experience for New Zealand mums and dads who have talented youngsters. Gymnastics is an expensive business. You're lacking in the respect that your

Government doesn't fund gymnastics in this country." On the future of New Zealand gymnastics: "If you can keep teams together, if they wor'k hard, if the Government comes through, if £\m nasts can be sent to regular training camps - I there are a lot of 'ifs'." On the display by II national gymnasts at the college last week "I couldn't have wii hed for a better bunch of demonstrators if 1 d brought them in myself - they were great and really appreciative of the amazing turnout of public. "The children have been training at 7 am every morning and the | coaches doing the same practical exercises We've covered psychological and physiological performances in | preparation for compe- 1 tition. In the evening 1 thcy've watched videos J on the theory of gym- j nastics. It's all go." On his job: "I direct 1 everyone. I'm a One 1 Man Band."