Pauline Manser - Southern Cross Volleyball
Pauline Manser
Southern Cross Volleyball
20 years as coach
WABN: What techniques do you use to motivate players?
PM: “Refocusing on the goal at hand, having the team self evaluate training and how they are going, as often as possible making the drills competitive – against time or opposition. I also like to have conditioning attached to some of the drills to increase pressure. Having players determine what the goal is for the team. Offering rewards sporadically within the training environment.”
WABN: What has been the biggest mistake that you have made in your role as a coach and what did you learn from it?
PM: “Directing issues to the team rather than speaking to the particular athletes that it is relevant to, those it is relevant too often don’t believe the coach is referring to them. Make each athlete accountable for themselves.”
WABN: What other profession do you most often seek advice from with respect to your team’s performance and why?
PM: “Physio to make sure they are physically OK and not likely to end up with long-term injuries and psychologist because the game is more about their mental state.”
WABN: How do you manage player egos?
PM: “Emphasise that the team is bigger than the player; if a player does not follow this they are less likely to be chosen in the teams that I coach. Be straight with players. Volleyball is a highly team-orientated sport; one person cannot win matches for you like in many sports.”
WABN: How do you manage off-field player conflicts?
PM: “Treat individuals as mature people, not just athletes, and ask that they resolve the issue on their own time. If it doesn’t impact on court performance it isn’t necessary to make a big deal out of it. Create an understanding that you don’t have to be best friends to function well as a team, you just need to have a common goal.”
WABN: What currently frustrates you about your sport and what would you do to change it?
PM: “The lack of professionalism, at all levels – due to lack of financial support but also not having a strong strategic plan to develop the sport in an environment where footy and cricket rule. Volunteering is a diminishing skill/art/passion, we haven’t learnt how to operate without them yet. We don’t treat our current ‘Vollies’ with the respect and due management they deserve.”
WABN: How important is it for players to develop skills outside of their sport? What do you do to encourage it?
PM: Essential to on-court performance is the maturity developed off the court; I don’t think the sport should be a priority until later in the individual’s life, so I encourage athletes to study, work, volunteer and possibly be involved in other sports. I struggle with the idea that someone in year 12 does not have the time to play sport or train. I think that there is no balance in this approach and don’t believe that students end up studying anymore than those who have other activities happening at the same time.”
WABN: What sport, other than the one that you coach, do you do to relax?
PM: "I like paddling (surf ski) in the river, love basketball and tennis or anything active outside."
WABN: What music do you listen to for motivation?
PM: "A whole ranch of styles depending on where my head is at – rock, classic, Pink is my favourite at the moment."
WABN: What sporting identity do you most admire and why?
PM: "No-one in particular anymore, but [I admire] any athlete that works their butt off to be the best they can be and are not spoiled by money, fame, and can still manage to keep their feet on the ground and be a member of the community that contributes in a positive way."