One of Kim Milnthorpe’s proudest moments was being named Sussex Coach of the Year in 2016. In her roles as a coach for Horsham Blue Stars and Sussex Sportshall Team Manager, she is passionate about youngsters getting all-round athletics’ experiences, and she gets results. Kate Matthews caught up with Kim for a chat about coaching and how she is dealing with Covid19.
Kate: Who are you?
Kim: Kim Milnthorpe.....60yrs.....Horsham Blue Star Harriers
Kate: Which athletes do/have you coached?
Kim: I coach all u13’s for sprints/hurdles/high/long jump/Sportshall and an U15+ group sprints/hurdles/high jump. Past athletes have been Jack and Lucy Milnthorpe (high jump/hurdles), Cleo Tomlinson (sprints/long/high jump), Molly Adams (100/200m), Jordan Levey (100/200m/shot), Sebastian Wallace (sprints/ hurdles), Ruby Jerges (sprints/hurdles/long/high jump). Current athletes are Ella Hannyngton U20( sprint/hurdles), Sophie Hogton U17 (sprints/hurdles), Madeleine Way U15 (sprints/hurdles), Kyla Ball U15 (sprints/high/long jump), Phoebe Penston U15 (sprints/hurdles).
Kate: How long have you been coaching and how did you get into it?
Kim: Coached for 15 years....all 3 of my children joined HBSH and I became a team manager first for U13’s League/Sportshall and wanted to get more involved so took level 1 and 2 coaching then took on organisation and coaching of the U13s at the club and then my own older group.
Kate: Were you an athlete before a coach?
Kim: Athletics only at school where I did everything plus netball, hockey, basketball etc, but I also had ponies and did show jumping and that took up all my time.
Kate: How often do you coach?
Kim: Three times a week - club nights Mondays and Wednesdays and Saturday mornings. U13’s sprints/baton changes/starts/hurdles/high/long jump/Sportshall U15s + sprints/hurdles/high jump.
Sessions for u13’s are planned to introduce them to all aspects of the events I coach with other coaches covering throws and middle distance. We give a multi event experience, encouraging them to have a go at everything. For the older group training is based around competition so stamina/speed/technique/mobility/strength.
Kate: What are the highs and lows of being a coach?
Kim: Highs... “light bulb moments” when an athlete just gets it, from mastering a drill to getting a take-off right, it doesn’t have to be momentous, it’s just a great thing to see. Lows....seeing athletes injured when they are in good shape or upset when things don’t go to plan.
Kate: What is/are your proudest moment(s)?
Kim: Proudest moments, seeing athletes selected for club/schools/county/English Schools teams and winning the Sussex Coach of the Year award in 2016.
Kate: What have been the hardest moments?
Kim: Hardest moment, thinking we were going to lose the Leisure Centre/track at Broadbridge Heath in 2011 but this lead to another proud moment seeing all the athletes turn out and campaign outside the council offices to “Save Our Track”
Kate: How do you motivate your athletes to keep going/focussed?
Kim: Positivity/humour/support/having good relationships.
Kate: What has coaching athletics brought to your life?
Kim: Lots of friends, enjoyment helping athletes achieve their goals.
Kate: Has coaching changed over the years?
Kim: There is so much information online now/video clips/zoom conferences.
Kate: What are the main difficulties that face you and your athletes in normal times?
Kim: Loss of part of our training facility and uncertainty of keeping the track.
Kate: What have been the main difficulties facing you and your athletes during Covid19, and how have you overcome these?
Kim: Difficulties during COVID were motivation and not seeing athletes. I used group WhatsApp for sessions they could do and asked athletes to send videos/emails what they were actually doing so that I could give feedback.
Kate: Would you encourage others to become coaches and why?
Kim: Yes I would encourage others to become coaches, it’s up to the individual how much they want to do either assistant coach or coach. There are so many different disciplines to coach, and it’s great to be involved with children’s growth and development, as I’ve coached beginners of 10 year old up to them leaving for Uni and sometimes returning to the club.
Kate: How could the world of athletics be improved for both athletes and coaches?
Kim: More facilities and support for clubs.