Do you ever feel sorry for people you coached previously?

I have recently been thinking about my growth as a Coach. This also made me think about the people I coached when I was less of a coach.

Luckily I have grown at a similar rate to my challenges as a Coach. When I first dipped my toes into the water it was basically to mentor young individuals who were coming into the sport.

My first official coaching post was as Western Australian Under 18 Coach for our first shot at Junior National Championships in 2007. I know I was nowhere near the coach then that i am now. Luckily we were only playing 7 man football meaning most of my time could be used to Coach Skills and not terminology and execution.

However the fact I have had the opportunity to Coach some of these individuals from this squad again whether at club level, Senior state level or again at Junior state level. Has helped given me great input into exactly how my journey is going.

It is kind of like when somebody sees you every day and they struggle to see you losing weight as it happen slowly and gradually. Where as if you haven't seen them for ages they go Wow you have lost so much weight.

Recent conversations with David Mercovich and Adam Rooney who I coached in 2007 and again in 2009 have helped open my eyes to my own growth and how it amazes them to have the opportunity to play under me now with the leaps I have taken in my knowledge. Meanwhile to see the leadership and hunger for the game and all the knowledge they can attain makes me proud to have the opportunity to coach them again.

I have also had similar experiences with a young man named Luke Munachen. I first coached Luke as a young undersized but highly athletic runningback in 2007. I then had the opportunity to Coach Luke as a Free Safety in 11 man Senior football the following year. We will now both be heading off together in 3 weeks to Represent our Country as a player and Coach.

One more person who I have had great pleasure in growing with is Damien Donaldson. Damien played Outside Linebacker for me in 2007 in 7 man football. I this year Coached Damien at Senior Club level. Damien was a team captain for me and played Cornerback and Strong safety. The realization of our growth together was realized when Damien came away with me this year as my defensive Coordinator for our 9 man football Junior National Championships.

Damien is the most aware of what we have achieved and has explained it too me in conversation. He speaks of how amazed he is that he has transformed form a player who was over awed in 2007 to somebody who can now help teach skills and gameplans to others.

Anyway back to my initial point and the title of this post.

I have thought of all the things I could have done differently then if I knew what I know now. It makes me wonder if this is an experience shared by a great number of coaches. Do we all ask ourselves if only I could have done more then.

It doesn't make me dissapointed in the effort I put in as I know I did the best of my ability and the boys did all they could with what they had.

I do still however wonder if my impact on them could have been more beneficial if I had of known more? I see the great young men who I have had the opportunity to cross paths with again and help them grow and be a positive role model and coach to them.

It just makes me feel bad for those players from 2007 who I haven't had the chance to help move forward from that point