In the Thick of It
Reflections on Coaching, Leadership and Continuing to Learn - Ollie Hawkins
This year has probably been one of the busiest and most challenging years of my coaching career so far.
Alongside leading Proteus Sports Group, continuing my work at Halswell United and Christ's College, contributing to projects through the Game Changer Foundation, and coaching week in and week out, I've also started my A Licence journey.
At times, it has felt like a constant balancing act.
What I've realised throughout the year is that as responsibility grows, the importance of learning grows with it. The more people you work with, the more you realise you don't have all the answers.
That's one of the reasons I decided to undertake the A Licence.
Not for the qualification itself, but to challenge my thinking, learn from others, and ensure I continue developing as a coach.
One of the biggest lessons so far has been the importance of staying curious. Experience is valuable, but it can also create blind spots if we're not careful. The best coaches I've worked alongside are always learning, reflecting and looking for better ways to do things.
At Halswell United, one of our focuses this year has been creating an environment built around identity, belonging and accountability. Before discussing tactics and game plans, we spent time talking about standards, expectations and what we wanted the environment to represent.
Football environments are often judged by results, but the reality is that culture is built through daily behaviours and consistency.
Last season reinforced that for me.
Our First Team spent most of the year at the top of the table before the title slipped away on the final day. It was a difficult way to finish a season, but it also highlighted the importance of process over outcome.
Another area I've become increasingly interested in is performance analysis and decision making. We use data, statistics and video to support our work, but football remains a people business.
Data helps inform decisions.
Experience helps inform decisions.
Conversations help inform decisions.
But eventually someone still has to make the call.
That's part of coaching.
Whether it's through Proteus, Halswell United, Christ's College, the Game Changer Foundation or the A Licence journey, the common theme remains the same.
Keep learning.
Keep improving.
Keep supporting people.
For me, that's what coaching is really about.
And like most coaches, I'm simply trying to leave every environment a little better than I found it.
How’s your coaching journey going this year?
