Target Sports Coaching Ltd
Target Sports Coaching Ltd are a private, family run children's multisports coaching Company based in Surrey, that offer a variety of sports services within the community including; local school clubs, holiday courses, birthday parties, charity events and a renowned Saturday football coaching academy. The Company is directed and managed by Michael & his wife, Abigail.
Michael Branch
Worked for the last 19 years in the coaching industry experiencing various aspects of the job, before deciding to set up his own Company.Michael participated in all sports at school and enjoyed the competition and challenges that learning a new skill created. He remembers the immense feeling of 'belonging' it gave you and mostly the huge amount of fun! He eventually became part of many school sports teams including football, cricket, rugby, swimming & athletics, as well as representing his Borough, county and south east England at Football.At 16, he became the Assistant Manager of a Sunday Youth Football Team and realised his passion for coaching. He gained his sports coaching qualifications & badges, and was employed by Fulham Football Club as a 'Community Coach', before becoming 'Director of Coaching' at another private Company.Michael's coaching style and ability was frequently commented on by teachers and parents alike. They noticed his natural capability of being able to command and gain the respect of a group, and managing to get them to learn, whilst they still had fun! This had a positive and profound effect on many children's overall behaviour.Michael visited Kenya in 2006 and undertook a football coaching position for a charity called 'Footsteps' (see 'Target Charity' tab for the full trip diary) where he visited a developing school and devised coaching sessions for the children; helped them create their very own Tournament; as well as encourage and train some of their teachers.He currently coaches at Primary Schools 5 days a week for Target Sports Coaching and manages all other coaching aspects of the business.
Abigail Fogg
Studied P.E as a GCSE and an A' Level at Coombe Girl's School which involved areas such as; Anatomy & Physiology, Psychology, and Practical Coaching Assessments. She was a keen gymnast and attended gymnastics club every week for 5 years where she was asked to help coach the younger pupils. Abigail participated in many school sports teams, such as netball & athletics and took part in borough sports competitions.She has worked as a Private Nutrition Consultant for parents since graduating from Roehampton University in 2003, where she was awarded a Bachelor of Science with Second Class Honors (Upper Division) in Nutrition & Health. Modules included; Child Psychology & Behaviour, Health Promotion, and Principles of Human Nutrition.Abigail is now Company Secretary & Director for Target Sports Coaching Ltd and is responsible for the day to day running of the business.
Our Company Mission
To provide unique Professional Sports Coaching to local Primary School children.
We aim to follow the long-term athlete development (LTAD) model for coaching sport and therefore create positive motivational climates for learning.
We will strive to attract and maintain good business relationships: providing our service to produce 100% customer satisfaction.
Variety of coaching activities, encourage players to focus on the task not the outcome. Emphasize enjoyment.
How the coach operates and communicates with the players. Encourage problem solving.
What is rewarded? Recognise personal progress and improvement in players.
Use of groups. Be careful when having the most skilled or least skilled players together.
Use of feedback. Based on improvement and effort. Allow for self-evaluation and evaluation of others.
Scheduling. Allow time for practice and improvement.
The coaching structure we adopt at Target is based on the work of Istvan Balyi's 'long-term athlete development programme'. The model highlights the need to support participants at every level to encourage them to fulfil their potential and ultimately, remain in sport.It provides a detailed structure for developing individuals, and outlines the key coaching principles and practices relating to the various developmental stages individuals progress through. The stages represent various chronological age ranges (male & female) and are flexible, as progression occurs when a child is developmentally ready and not because they have reached a certain age. Training, preperation & competition must always account for individual differences!
Our coaches understand that their job is to help children develop as individuals and not just as a future
sport stars!!
Skill Execution
Techniques
Consistency & Control
Individual & Group Practice
Learning & Exploration
Imagination
Confidence & Enthusiasm
Mental & Lifestyle Skills
Avoids Anxiety & Boredom
Goal Setting
Group Activities
Responsibility
Communication
Stable Temperament
Motor Control
Movement Skills
(agility, balance, coordination, speed etc)
Strength & Power
Multi-Skills
Multi-Activities
Growth & Body Changes
Nutrition
Fun & Enjoyment
Inclusion & Participation
Safe Environment
Parent & School Support
Form Relationships
Fair Play, Rules & Ethics
Socially Responsible
When fundamental movement skills are emphasised and developed in a systematic manner, children at the earliest stages should be:-
more willing to try a range of sports
more able to make a successful transition to another sport
more likely to find at least one sport that captures their interest
more motivated to make sport a continuing part of their lives.
"I tried various sports as a child and thoroughly enjoyed them all. I didn't realise it at the time but this gave me strong basic skills, which helped me develop as a hockey international when I started to specialise in the sport age 15"
(Jane Sixsmith, England Women's Hockey Captain).
Sample a wide range of movement activities in fun, playful and creative environments.
No sport-specific specialisation. A multi-skills approach should be adopted.
Emphasis on development of basic movement skills, not formal competition.
Parent support & involvement, encouraging participation in as many differnt activities as possible.
Speed, power and endurance developed using fun games and challenges.No periodisation and....lots of FUN
Progress & continue points in stage 1 to a more advanced level.
Introduction of basic skills & fitness to their preferred activity.
Reduction in number of sports/activities but recommend at least three.
Focus on mastery of basic sport skills through regular practice in fun-based environments, using discovery learning.
Emphasis on learning to train and practice, not on performance outcome.
Element of appropriate competition introduced (25%)
When fundamental movement skills are emphasised and developed in a systematic manner, children at the earliest stages should be:-