Lyn Foreman in the coaching corner

Lyn Foreman

Head coach – track, WA Institute of Sports

20 years as coach

WABN: Describe your preferred outdoor-based training session.

LF: “Floreat Beach (drive north on access road to the end car park and head to the beach via the walkway).  There we do beach running to pipe (south) to warm up – then drills on the flat or hill depending on phase of training). Followed by four 40-metre sprints on flat or hill, finishing with four circuits through sand dunes.”

WABN: What techniques do you use to motivate players?

LF: “Make sure I follow all the principles of training, particularly variety – working in blocks so they have something to work to.”

WABN: What has been the biggest mistake that you have made in your role as a coach and what did you learn from it?

LF: “Never socialise regularly with your athletes or athletes’ parents. You can be a friend but not their best friend, otherwise it can cloud your judgment. It’s like anything, you just have to keep a business-like approach. It’s best to have a life outside of what you do so that you’re not too consumed.”

WABN: What other profession do you most often seek advice from with respect to you team’s performance and why?

LF: “Doctor (someone I know well), physio (management of injuries), nutritionist (if a problem), ACE personnel (athlete career and education) if an athlete’s life is on the rails, then I know I can achieve a performance outcome.”

WABN: How do you manage player egos?

LF: “Knock it out of them!”

WABN: What currently frustrates you about your sport and what would you do to change it?

LF: “I deal with anything that frustrates me in our sport. I make sure I always try to work things out by communication. I never allow a situation to fester and I prefer to hit a problem front on with quick resolution. Funding in our sport frustrates me because you get delays for doing things. With money comes a lot of paperwork and the accountability that comes with it, all this takes a lot of time. I understand them though but I find it frustrating.”

WABN: What do you do to relax?

LF: I love watching AFL. I can’t run at the moment because of an old athletic injury so I walk and I do a circuit, which takes one hour per day. I take the dog. I love watching my sons play cricket, footy and ice hockey.

WABN:  What sporting identity do you most admire and why?

LF: “My deceased husband (sports broadcaster, Wally), who fought for what he believed in and was never personal in his attacks, therefore winning the respect of all he battled with. I never had a sporting hero as an athlete or coach.”

WABN: How do you stay up-to-date with current leadership and/or coaching trends?  

LF: “I read articles and I attend coaching courses. If you can bring one thing from what you do, whether it’s talking with coaches or a course, it is to keep that freshness, that spark in you. You have to constantly keep ahead of the game, so to speak.”