SPORTS trainers in the region could benefit from a technique used by Olympic gold medallist David Hemery and a host of other Olympic athletes in a course run by a Lichfield coach.
David Hemery's run to take the 400m hurdles gold at the Mexico Olympics in 1968 in a world record time was one of the greatest runs in Olympic history as he finished streets ahead of the rest of the field.
Now sports coaches in the region are being offered the chance to learn some of the secrets used by David Hemery and other Olympian athletes in a course being run at Lichfield.
The course in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is being run by Ann Skidmore who was herself coached in the technique by David Hemery.
NLP provides a set of principles to improve communications skills so that trainers can get the most out of their coaching and help to get better performances out of those they are coaching.
Ann said the skills will help push sports coaches, personal trainers, fitness instructors and gym managers on to greater heights in their career.
"The technique is frequently used by sportsmen and women in all disciplines and across all abilities," said Ann.
"So if you’re coaching the next bright hope for gold at the 2012 Olympics like Tom Daley or coaching your local football team this could bring the best out of you and your team."
Women's 400m hurdle Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell, former world 400m hurdles champion and Olympic silver medallist Roger Black and Olympic 400m hurdles bronze medallist Kriss Akabusi are all known to use NLP in training and coaching.
"It is not only in sports coaching though that people could benefits, anybody who could improve their communications skills could reap the rewards of completing the course, including business leaders, managers, sales professionals and teachers," added Ann.
"David Hemery came to NLP late on in his career. But he said the difference between those that win and those that don’t win is their minds, what they believe they can win," she said.
"NLP trains the mind to focus on what is possible, it helps people create more empowering beliefs.
"NLP will give coaches an extra edge to really help athletes to beat their personal best and to achieve outstanding performances across all sports and all abilities.
"The course will reveal some of the secrets that are used by coaches to train some of the world’s top class sportsman and women."
* The courses are running on September 7 and 8, and October 8 and 9 at the Erasmus Darwin Centre, Beacon Street, Lichfield. For more information, please contact Carol Garrington on 01543 468621 or email carol@passionatemedia.co.uk.
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