Steve King started coaching in Sussex over 40 years ago to help a pupil at the school he taught at. Over the years he has gone on to coach numerous Sussex talents including the likes of Seb Roger, Leanne Buxton, Sophia Warner and let’s not forget the current masters’ world record holder Julia Machin. Kate Matthews caught up with Steve to chat about his coaching and how he and his athletes are dealing with Covid19.
Kate: Who are you?
Steve: Steve King, age 69, a retired teacher based mainly at Horsham but using other Sussex tracks as well.
Kate: Which athletes do you and have you coached?
Steve: I started coaching over 40 years ago when a talented pupil, Dave van Dyke, didn’t have a coach so I went on a course. Dave still holds the county U20 Long Jump record and remains a close friend.
Over the years I have been lucky to work with many talented athletes. Many have gone on to make national teams and I have coached athletes to all the major games at different age groups.
More recently Seb Rodger was at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and Sophia Warner was at the Paralympics in 2012, whilst Leanne Buxton won the World Masters Pentathlon.
I guided a very young Amber Anning, and Amy Barclay and Elise Lovell hold county records, but the longest standing partnership has been with Julia Machin who joined us as a 19-year-old and went right up to the Commonwealth Games of 2006.
I am presently working with Holly Turner (indoors 400 medalist), Cleo Tomlinson (Sussex County long jump u13/15/17 record-holder) and Diarra Sow (Italian U18 triple jump champ and Sussex record-holder).
Kate: Were you an athlete before a coach, and if so, what distances/disciplines? How does coaching compare to the thrill of being an athlete yourself?
Steve: I was a high jumper at school, into a level sandpit!
I was primarily a Basketball player playing for the Brighton Bears in the late 1970s but a fellow teacher talked me into running and I ended up in B&H ACs B team before running the first London Marathon in 1981..I ran 2 with a PB of 2hrs 54mins before discovering I was much better at coaching than doing it myself. It snowballed from there!
Kate: How often do you coach?
Steve We train on the track three times a week but if you include S&C work, six days.
Kate: What are the highs and lows of being a coach?
Steve The biggest high is working with people and seeing them develop physically and mentally and achieve something that in many cases they did not believe they could achieve.
Lows usually revolve around injuries or unforeseen events that hold back progress...this is when you need to be at your best in order to restore confidence and get back on track.
Kate: What is/are your proudest moment(s)?
Steve: Too many highlights really but watching Seb win the Olympic Trials is up there.
Some of my best memories include Amy Barclay running brilliantly over four hurdles in the 60mh National final only to hit Hurdle five, elation to deflation in seconds, but still a proud moment!
Kate: What have been the hardest moments?
Steve: It is hard sometimes when despite your best efforts things don’t go to plan. You often spend a long time beating yourself up about what you could have done differently even if it’s out of you control. Clare Harman qualified for the European U23 in 100mh but the wind speed was slightly over and even in two more races the wind was too strong. The result was she couldn’t go and was replaced by a girl she beat which was hard for both of us.
Kate: How do you motivate your athletes to keep going and focus etc?
Steve: It’s vital that all athletes buy into and understand the process you are undertaking! If they feel part of the plan, they make better decisions.
Don’t rush long-term progress for short-term success.
Kate: What has coaching athletics brought to your life?
Steve: After 40 years, I have a huge extended family.
I have been lucky to travel around the world coaching and have good friends in many different countries. I married one of my athlete's mothers, so that can’t be bad!
Kate: Has coaching changed over the years?
Steve: Coaches are becoming scarcer, and many want to make a living from it. It’s hard work, and you must put the time in if you expect the athletes to succeed!!
Kate: What are the main difficulties that face you and your athletes in normal times?
Steve: When you see facilities abroad...indoors, and with integrated Strength training facilities, you realise how much we are lacking here.
We achieve in spite of.....
Kate: What have been the main difficulties facing you and your athletes during Covid19, and how have you overcome these?
Steve: Like everybody, the park and playing fields have been our best friends. Fortunately, the weather has been friendly!Technical work has been difficult, but many athletes are in good shape.
Kate: How would you encourage others to become coaches, and why?
Steve: I’ve had a very exciting and fulfilling life coaching and enjoy the company of all my athletes, but it’s a full-time commitment and not for everyone!
Kate: How could the world of athletics be improved for both athletes and coaches?
Steve: The world is a smaller place, and it’s now easier to extend your knowledge. I have changed my approach to training multiple times and now look back and say “What was I thinking?” But it’s just evolution. All athletes are different, so multiple methods are needed!