In this coaching spotlight we meet new Skills School Head Coach, Danny Parr....

Name: Danny Parr

Age: 27 (16/11/1988)

- Rochdale Tri Club head coach (all ages and abilities)

- TE NW Regional Academy coach (elite junior athletes)

- Skills School North West Lead Coach

Qualifications: Triathlon Level 1, Triathlon Level 2, plus lots of CPD.

Competition history: Competing in triathlon for around 5 years - taking on IronmanUK in Bolton this year!

1. Why I coach

I coach to give something back - my late father inspired me to take up triathlon, and I began coaching to give a bit back and help others.
 

2. The best thing about coaching

Definitely helping people achieve their goals - whether that be a beginner PBing in their swim time trial, or an elite academy athlete getting on the podium at a prestigious event!

3. My coaching philosophy

I like the BEST acronym which was recently introduced to me:

B - be better / the best you can

E - embrace mistakes and learn from them!

S - search for feedback.

T - try and try again - consistency and perseverance!

4. Biggest challenge

Biggest challenge is to simultaneously deliver for the needs of almost 200 club members, of all abilities and all ages, on a regular occasion. A challenge I don't always get right, but I always try to learn from my mistakes!
 

5. Funniest moment in coaching

I once delivered a session on clipping in and unclipping shoes in to pedals. Let's just say, my demonstration wasn't as good as my explanation - OUCH!
 

6. A word of advice

Clubs are fantastic - join a club, any club, that works for you - meet similar athletes, use the coaches, and listen to advice - you'll improve massively! 
 

7. Coaching hero/influence

Little bit cheesy this - but as my first coach, and the person who inspired me to take up triathlon and coaching - got to be my dad!
 

8. Favourite drill and why

I like to put a big emphasis on bike control on the bike - therefore one of my favourite warm ups on the cycle circuit is to pick a bottle up of the floor as you roll along. Not specifically triathlon related, but good balance on the bike makes you more comfortable, and safer!
 

Favourite exercise

Simple warm up activity loved by adults and children - running noughts and crosses!

Using paving slabs, or a bit of electrical tape that you can peel up later, draw out the shape of a noughts and crosses board (same as #)

Then - 2 teams, with different coloured items (bean bags are perfect), and each team stands 20-30 metres away from the 'board'. Both teams start at the same time, to put a bean bag in a square of their choice - whoever gets there first gets to choose first - then run back to your team and the next person can go! First team to get 3 in a row wins!  To make it more interesting, enforce drills on the run back - hopping / skipping work well!