Name: Garreth Ewing
Age: 35
You recently attended an FIH coaching course at the African Qualifier in Ghana. Can you tell us what this course was about and what it means in terms of your progression as a coach?
I was lucky enough to attend the course in Accra along with Gregg Hesom, the SA U/21 ladies assistant coach, and coaches from 12 African and Asian countries.
The course was intended primarily to be a High Performance course, but the mix was somewhere between High Performance and Development due to the differences in knowledge and experience of the coaches attending. This was not necessarily a drawback, however, because there are equal opportunities for learning within both the Development and more glamorous-sounding High Performance contexts.
Tayyab Ikram, FIH coaching co-ordinator, and Sergio Vigil, Argentina head coach, were the course facilitators – both FIH Master coaches – with a formidable knowledge base and contrasting presentation styles.
The course followed a simple format of presentations during the day, either by the facilitators or participants, and group work and analysis during Africa Cup matches in the afternoon and evening. Presentations and video analysis by the groups gave the facilitators the opportunity to assess participants. There was also a practical element, working on the turf observing the facilitators as they coached, and also having our own opportunity to present practical concepts to the group.
It was a challenging and stimulating environment, with little room to “hide” when the facilitators engaged you on any hockey subject. Of course there was the added bonus of being able to root for the SA guys and girls at Africa Cup at the same time.
From a personal point of view, I came away with a certificate of participation – all that can be expected after attending your first FIH coaching course – and hopefully having made a positive impression on the facilitators. I am awaiting feedback which will hopefully be communicated through SA hockey channels.
In terms of my future development as a coach, attending more courses is a must, as is progressing in terms of experience, knowledge and national appointments until nominated to present at an FIH Final Seminar. Preparation for the Final Seminar will take a minimum of eight to 10 months before undergoing final assessment at a course, which usually coincides with a major world-level tournament. It’s neither quick nor easy, which is why FIH qualifications are so highly regarded.
On another level, working with fellow coaches and being able to engage with two such successful senior facilitators was an eye-opener in terms of the level of commitment and attention to detail required for top-level coaching. Most importantly, perhaps, was the affirmation that I am on the “right track” with my personal coaching philosophy and methodology, as well as my current hockey knowledge.
To be able to spend a week in an African city in such knowledgeable company, and to be a representative of SA hockey, was a great privilege.
Who do you currently coach in South Africa… Club? Province? Any team achievements you want to mention?
I live and work in Johannesburg, where I coach Jeppe High School for Boys First XI and junior academy, the University of Johannesburg men’s First Team, and the Southerns men’s A IPT side.
The UJ side defended their Southerns Premier League title for the first time in the club’s history this season.
What roles do you have with regard to South African hockey teams?
I’ve worked for the last two years as assistant coach to the SA U/21 men’s team, which attended the Junior World Cup in Singapore/Malaysia in June of this year.
In the past I have worked as assistant coach at the Indoor World Cup in 2007, as a video analyst with the SA U/21 and men’s team, and I’ve coached the SA A and SA Universities team.
What are your thoughts on the performances of the South African Teams at the African Qualifier?
It was awesome to see both teams doing so well and qualifying with relative ease. As anybody who has been through the process will tell you qualifying through Africa is not easy, for all sorts of reasons, but both teams took it in their stride this time round.
The ladies are the dominant force in African hockey but it was good to see a mix of youth and experience making things look easy, while the men’s team are playing positive, confident hockey and clearly enjoying themselves.
What are some of your achievements as a coach?
I’ve been lucky enough to work with some very talented players in the past few years, and I am always so excited when I see one of them succeeding at a major competition.
My most satisfying moments in coaching include winning the Aitken Trophy with Jeppe for the first time (for me) in 2005; it’s something I had wanted to do since I was a schoolboy, and winning leagues with UJ.
Every time I work with an SA team, at any level, I feel a great sense of achievement at being given such an opportunity.
Who are some of the best South African players you have come across during your coaching career?
Craig Jackson, Charlie Pereira, Shaun Cooke, Pietie Coetzee, Austin Smith, Miguel da Graca. Some I played against and some I was lucky enough to coach.
Who is Gareth Ewing when not at hockey?
I really like to be with my family and friends when I’m not coaching but I’m pretty much the same person as I am on the pitch.
Other interests?
Reading, a bit of writing, golf, and I’m the world’s slowest triathlete.
