ASCA Podcast #66 - Donna Miller

Donna Miller has worked in the S&C industry for over 10 years, working both privately, in team settings and the high school setting. Her background includes working in Suburban (Lindfield) and Shute Shield Rugby Union (Eastwood & Randwick), NSW U16s Schools Rep Squads (2014-2015), Jersey Flegg Rugby League (U20s) (2017-2019), as well as being part of high school programs including Newington College, Head of Athletic Development at St Andrew’s Cathedral School. She has worked with regional, state and national level athletes in rugby league & union, swimming, tennis, hockey, and rowing. She is currently Head of Strength & Conditioning at Hunter Valley Grammar School in the Hunter. Qualifications: B. Exercise & Sports Science (UNE), Professional Scheme Level 2 ASCA Coach, NCAS Certified, Cert III & IV Fitness. QUOTES “They main thing with S&C in a school is addressing the needs of every kid, rather than just those that are there to play sport” “A LTAD model is for a perfect world and in high schools, it is not perfect so you have to adapt” “It is really important that kids need to be playing a multitude of sports until 15-16 years old” “You can’t take away from a student’s academic learning with a S&C program in a school” “if you can teach a year 7 kid to do a single leg RDL, you can do anything!” “The most important thing for female S&C coaches is not to walk into a role and say “I’m a female coach”, it should be “I’m a coach”, end of story!” SHOWNOTES 1) Donna’s background and how she came into her current role 2) The different roles as a S&C coach in a school setting 3) Considerations S&C coaches need to be aware of with student athletes and the differences between inner city and country students 4) How to handle the different demands and pulls on student athletes, 5) The logistics of working in a school setting 6) Screening and maturation measures for student athletes 7) Donna's 3 phase program for athlete development in a school setting 8) How S&C can integrate with PE across a school 9) Differences between youth teams and school S&C 10) Considerations for female S&C coaches in a school/youth environment PEOPLE MENTIONED Nathan Parnham Gary Schofield