One to one coaching is the future

THE one to one full time coaching arrangement between Michelle Smith and her husband Erik De Bruin represents a vital contributory factor in Smith's historic Olympic victory, according to top Irish coach Kevin Williamson.

"Training methods here will have to change because of what they have done, says Williamson, a competitor at the Moscow and Montreal Games. The coaching arrangement for Michelle is unique in Irish swimming and Williamson cannot see it becoming common practice unless structures here change drastically.

"The average coach here would not be in a position to establish a similar set up. In Ireland we are development coaches whereas Erik is a performance coach devoting all his time analysing and improving a given competitor who is world class material to start with.

"Michelle could probably go into any squad and cater for her basic yardage but, to be at where she is, she would need the coach swimmer - one on one routine for confidence, and stroke analysis. To be able sit down with your swimmer in the evening and point out mistakes that show on underwater camera is something we can only envy," rues Williamson. "Coaches here looking after a squad of swimmers would not have the time to do that."

Williamson likens what he experienced on a four year scholarship in the US with Smith's training relationship with de Bruin. "It is a trend that is becoming more and more prevalent in athletics where a husband or a boyfriend is directly involved with the competitor without any detractions. The difference between a performance coach and a development one is vast in the area of opportunity.

"Coaches here have children coming in who can't swim. We teach them how to swim and then we teach them the strokes and they go on to B and C squads. By the time they come to me they are improving, but then maybe go to college in Ireland where there are no structures for competitive swimmers because the lectures don't finish until 6 o'clock."

De Bruin's contribution to Smith's preparation is total in every respect according to Williamson. Michelle chooses the Terenure College pool as her base whenever she returns home. She started swimming there more than 16 years ago under the supervision of Williamson's father, the late Larry. Because of this connection Williamson has a good knowledge of the unique Smith de Bruin partnership.

"Michelle has told me that she is doing a lot more weight training. Once she was doing leg raises on the machine and her legs were so tired afterwards that she couldn't walk. She has unselfishly gone through an awful lot. Erik has applied his knowledge of strength training from track and field. He was well known as a phenomenal athlete as well. He is focused as much as Michelle is and accepts, as much as Michelle, the rigours associated with producing world class performances.

Williamson cannot see a similar arrangement materialising in Ireland "unless the universities here get good pools and recruit top coaches and scholarships are awarded to swimmers". "The system in operation here creates a situation where we lose third level students to the higher levels in the sport because the structures are not there for them to train properly."

Smith's approach to competition at Olympic level has greatly impressed Williamson. "She's competing the same way she used to compete in the national championships at home here. She's beginning to take everything in her stride. She's gone on to a new level, but she is still the same competitor. It's really great. I don't know how many times I have watched her IM win."

Williamson spares a thought for Earl McCarthy, Ireland's freestyle competitor on the same day. "When I see Earl, who has done so much training as well, I feel for him. To go up to the level that Michelle is at is unbelievable."