Can being a coach become your profession?

Brad Murphy | November 29, 2023

I had a young coach ask me recently for my advice on coaching and a career in it. He really loves coaching cricket, and his aim is to follow that passion and work in the sport fulltime in the future.

We had a lengthy discussion and whilst I could certainly answer plenty of questions for him, some were quite tough, and a few queries were on issues that either I had long forgotten or possibly never thought about.

Basically, when I was a kid most of what I did revolved around sport. Our family owned a tennis centre and my dad, and his brother were fulltime tennis coaches. I played plenty of tennis on our courts after school and quickly got into cricket, Australian rules and rugby league which meant every afternoon, evening and all weekend was occupied with sport. Like lots of kids all I wanted to do was play for Australia - Davis Cup, Test cricket, VFL etc, etc - unrealistic but a pretty healthy way to grow up!

I was always around my dad thinking I will simply do what he is doing once I leave school. That way I could be fully involved no matter what happens in my playing efforts. At this time, I was only thinking about my grand aspirations! ??

Now I was always going to struggle to win Wimbledon by sharing my training hours with cricket during summertime and two footy codes all through winter so around the age of sixteen decided to have a real crack at cricket and chose to leave rugby league and just play Aussie rules in the offseason. You could do that in those days and do it at a decent level. Not anymore!!!

Now that was when I was a teenager and completing (at least attending) senior year at school where the careers officer told me that I would not be able to have a reliable career in sport and to either study or get an apprenticeship.

I am now 61 and it brings me to my friends first question - Is it tough going from a ‘normal job/profession ‘into coaching? Well, I don’t know because I have never had a ‘normal ‘job. I have NEVER done anything aside being involved in sports coaching and management so I can only guess an answer on that. I can’t say quit your current job and gamble that you will quickly get a regular and reliable source of income to pay the mortgage and feed your family. I just can’t - but neither can I say don’t - as maybe if the clouds align and he can quickly get into the swing and grab a coaching gig/s that kicks things off then he is up and away.

What I can say is that a lifetime (so far) involved in sport where although I never achieved my childhood aims but nevertheless was a solid competitor in tennis, cricket and footy , has pretty much given me lots in return.

There are certainly times when you get frustrated with young players who are reluctant to listen, who probably aren’t so passionate about putting in an effort or who possibly should be doing something else BUT far outweighing that is to see a kid/ player improve with a smile on their face - perhaps someone you have worked with progress through to elite level or maybe a person with a disability or social issues be able to participate to what to them is ‘Test’ level.

Coaching/ teaching/ mentoring is an important role if you choose to do it. You will get rewarded in various ways and hopefully get plenty of enjoyment and laughs along the way!