Exeter Harriers : Coaching

Coaching is at the heart of any athletics club. Our coaches are highly valued, skilled, knowledgeable, committed and offer a wealth of experience resulting in considerable successes for Harriers’ athletes and teams.

The coaches all work within the rules and regulations of UK Athletics as well as adhering to the Club’s Code of Conduct. Coaches usually coach events within an event group – Jumps, Endurance, Sprints and Throws – which enables coaches to focus on events and to build up their skill and knowledge base for the benefit of the athletes. There are some coaches who coach events across event groups, for example, combined events coaches.

The Coaching Committee is responsible for the formulation of the coaching strategy within the club as well as resolving any issues that may arise. The club’s coaching policy is athlete centred and aims to provide the best possible coaching for the individual athletes in order that they can achieve their goals. The coaches work together in partnership and a coaching programme for an athlete may involve an input from a number of coaches.

Resources

The Dave Edgecombe Coaching Library

Some of the Exeter Harriers Coaching Team

Brian O'Hare - Head Coach, Middle Distance

Dave Phillips - Club Chair, Endurance

George Eccles FRSC - Level 3 Throws Performance Coach

My senior javelin PB was 65.76 M. As a veteran athlete, I won the UK National Javelin Championships at least once in every age group, and exceeded the national record twice in the UK 2010 National Championships.

I qualified as a throws coach in 1983/4 and was for 10 years an active member of the National Javelin Team of Coaches, during which time I worked with numerous World and Olympic Champion Athletes and their coaches. My responsibilities included mentoring of newly qualified coaches throughout the SW and providing technical and practical training courses on javelin, discus and shot.

My coaching is based on teaching optimal technical efficiency to enjoy safe, enjoyable and progressive development in throws.