Woodward - Director of Elite Athletes. mmmm
I have to say I have mixed feelings regarding the appointment of Sir Clive Woodward as Director of Elite Athletes for the 2012 Olympics. No doubt he worked wonders with England World Cup rugby squad but since then he seems to have had a bad fall from grace , having seemingly alienated the RFU and been overlooked for the top job there. In addition there was his baffling move to Southampton where he has shown an inability to change sport and maintain respect. Not so long ago there were reports of him threatening to sue SFC because he didn’t have the respect of the players in the dressing room - this from a guy who has one of his best qualities listed as “motivational”. Strange way of motivating people in my book. The brief he has been given is enormous - he is supposed to get to grips with the coaching methods and technique and technique for 35 sports. Being able to understand what is required is only part of the issue as any sports player will know, and athletes tend to respect people who have done it rather than talked about it. Team GB may not have the overpaid egotistic character of many footballers, but will still need careful handling. I just hope Sir Clive listens to the people around him, and takes advice from the experts in each sport, rather than try and apply text book teaching across the board. If he does I fear he, and Team GB are heading for disaster
Fraser