Ahead of a crucial NBA playoff game against the Dallas Mavericks,the Golden State Warriors coach didn’t speak about the impending contest.
Golden State Warriors basketball coach Steve Kerr gives an emotional speech after a mass school shooting in Texas.
He poured his heart out in the aftermath of the slaughter of 19 primary school children and two teachers in Uvalde,Texas. Like so many Americans,he has been left incandescent at the endless circle of violence and the inaction of lawmakers and politicians to control the scourge of guns.
“Any basketball questions don’t matter,” he began,before fairly thundering:“When are we going to do something? I’m tired. I am so tired of getting up here and offering condolences to the devastated families that are out there. I am so tired of the,excuse me,I am sorry,I am tired of the moments of silence. Enough!”
Kerr has often spoken about basketball in context of life outside the bubble. This was just another example,sparked by an extreme event,but a reflection of his long-held philosophy that sports matters a great deal ... but only within the context of a wider world and greater meaning.
In another part of California,another story involving a high-profile coach in her sport was unfolding. Teri McKeever,the first woman to serve as a head coach of a US Olympic swimming team,was the centre of a firestorm after a alleged a history of bullying,abuse and pushing swimmers to the brink of self-harm.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr and star player Stephen Curry.Getty
She would soon be stood down by the University of California Berkley as she faces a long list of allegations that painted her as a ruthless authoritarian who pushed athletes to and beyond breaking point for two decades and used them as a vehicle to advance her career.
Kerr in many ways is the template of a modern coach who knows the real key to success. However,that should be measured in terms of the advancement of people,not just players.
McKeever’s methods,on the other hand,are destined to go the way of the dodo. Sports and aspiring mentors should take careful note.
The groundswell of change in coaching has been building for decades. The welfare of athletes – physically and mentally – has never been so important,nor has the over-arching notion that fulfilment off the field of play often equates to better performance in competition.
Identity of 19 children and two teachers killed by gunman released
It can sound counter-intuitive. But less is so often more in sport and the best coaches understand the value of space,time and flexibility. In elite spheres,there will always be pressure and the need to be pushed. But failure,big or small,never needs to be the end of the road.
In that case,how does a coach like McKeever still exist,even thrive,in a modern environment? You only have to look at the scandals involving gymnastics,or the pushback from more than 1000 athletes in Canada who have laid clear the toxic culture in boxing,bobsled/skeleton and gymnastics,to realise the win-at-all-costs can prevail if strong people don’t have the courage to call for change.
Those involved in junior sport would only have to look at their local courts or playing fields to find a coach or parent who treats it like an Olympic final or spends their weekends yelling at volunteer referees,umpires or officials. One coach of a youth team in a major winter sport had tattoos on his arm of premierships;he was in charge of the under-10s.
While elite sport is dealing with an overdue look at the methods employed to succeed,change is coming from the bottom up. The overwhelming push at the grassroots level is for play,participation and fun;to keep kids in sport long enough for them to decide if they want to start to give it a serious shot later in life.
The manner in which young athletes are handled and encouraged along their path is part of a coaching revolution. If it isn’t happening at your club - or if coaches are tearing strips off juniors and young adults - you should feel empowered to demand change.
Aspiring coaches need to embrace new methods or flounder because the more young athletes call out toxic culture in sport,the bolder the next generation will become in the way they expect to be treated.
Steve Kerr is the way forward,leaving the Teri McKeevers of the world in the distant past.
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