We know that some coaches really care about their players’ welfare, but we heard at the weekend of one coach really taking that to another level.
Dr Rick Charlesworth is the current coach of the Kookaburras, Australia’s Commonwealth Gold medal winners, World Champions and Champions Trophy winning hockey side.
Jamie Dwyer is a four time World Hockey Player of the year, having won this accolade in 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2010. He also won Young Player of the year in 2002. He is a key component to the Kookaburras success.
In April this year it was decided that Dwyer would undergo surgery on a tear in his cartilage in the hope that he can make a full recovery in time for next year’s London Olympics. This was not an easy decision as Dwyer is a professional hockey player in the Netherlands, and although professional hockey players do not earn massive amounts, he has sacrificed that income to try and ensure that he is fully fit for the Olympics.
What may have surprised him was the extent that his coach went to, to ensure that all went well in the operating theatre. Rick Charlesworth is a qualified doctor, and requested that he be present during the operation to make sure that everything went according to plan. The surgeon granted him his request.
So with Dwyer under anesthetic on the operating table, his coach was bedside, scrubbed up and in his ‘greens’ to ensure that his star player received the best treatment.
That has to be a coach really taking his job seriously.
Paul, I have never heard that story, but it is a very true comment and quality.
A special bloke Dr Charlesworth. A memorable quote on a 6WF interview earlier this year when reflecting on his time as coach of then womens national hockey team – when addressing the squad:
“I can’t tell you that I will treat you all equally – because you are not equal – but what I can promise you is that I will treat you all fairly”
The thinking persons coach.