27th January 2023

Athlete to Coach case study series: Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake

Athlete to coach: case study series

British Athletics’ Athlete to Coach programme aims to provide athletes transitioning into coaching with the competencies required to gain a UKA accredited coaching licence.

The programme – which is open to athletes who have represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland or their Home Country as a senior – is run over five consecutive days and is made up of classroom and practical activity, plus an assessment. The process is outlined in detail on the UK Athletics website.

Athlete to Coach is not a short cut into coaching, but a bespoke programme designed to challenge the learner to shift their thinking from that of an elite athlete to one of a coach.

This short series focuses on a recent cohort of participant athletes. It asks what motivated them to apply, what they’ve learned from the process, and what advice they would share with others considering this route into coaching.

 

Athlete name: Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake

Qualification awarded: Athletics Coach

“I attended this Athlete to Coach course because I’m thinking about my future and I’m interested in being a coach one day, so it’s important to get the qualification while my mind is still fresh.

“One of the biggest things I learned was about how to communicate with different level athletes. It’s about being able to communicate and getting your message across to everybody of all ages and skills.

“If you’re passionate about your sport, this is a good thing to have on your resume. You never know what the future may hold. Ultimately, we all coach each other every day giving feedback and critique, so why not take that to the next level and get the qualification.”