Chris Johnson - Introducing running, jumps, and throws to athletes is incredibly fulfilling

Chris Johnson has had a strong passion for running and athletics since childhood and is an active member of Blaydon Harrier & Athletics Club.

His personal background includes middle/long-distance running as well as high jump and hurdles. Recently, he has rediscovered his passion for running, but has also uncovered how much he enjoys coaching.

The journey begins

When he enrolled his 8-year-old daughter at the club, the induction groups for athletes aged 8-11 were temporarily cancelled due to a lack of coaches. Recognising the importance of continuity and development for young athletes, Chris stepped forward to support his daughter, then his son and other club members by offering his coaching services and taking the England Athletics Coaching Assistant qualification.

As his training groups expanded rapidly and the athletes demonstrated enthusiasm for their sessions, it became evident that coaching was his true vocation:

"My decision to progress further in coaching was driven by a combination of personal enjoyment and the positive feedback I received from the club and parents."

Coaching courses - such a positive experience

To ensure the continuation of coaching at the club, Chris undertook the combined Coaching Assistant and Athletics Coach course at Gateshead Stadium. After completing the course, he told us:

"The course struck an excellent balance between practical application, theoretical learning, and online modules."

He was also very impressed and appreciative of the England Athletics course leaders Chris Warnock and Caroline Morrow, who he said demonstrated exceptional knowledge and provided invaluable support not only during the course but also throughout his ongoing professional development.

"My tutor for the practical work, Simon Mennell, has been instrumental in my coaching journey. His guidance has been consistent across all phases of my training, and his accessibility via email and telephone has provided invaluable support."

Over the following two years Chris gained his Athletics Coach qualifications in Jumps, Speed, Throws then Endurance. Initially, Chris chose to specialise in jumps, an area where his club had limited expertise. But having completed all four disciplines, he would say that from a coaching perspective, speed is his favourite!

"I initially pursued my speed qualification to address a gap in coaching within the club, particularly for young athletes in the induction group. As these athletes transitioned into junior competitions, sprinting events such as the 100m and 200m gained popularity. It has been highly rewarding to witness their progress, explore different starting techniques, and refine their sprint mechanics."

Recognising effort

Chris strongly believes in fostering an environment where young athletes and their parents understand that participation holds greater significance than winning.

While a competitive spirit exists within training, he does not emphasise individual results, times, or victories for athletes under 11. Instead, he recognises 'Athlete of the Week' with a custom medal, awarded for effort and attitude rather than performance.

“Several parents have expressed that this approach alleviates pressure, making training more enjoyable for their children - some of whom previously felt discouraged in other sporting environments.”

The next steps

So what's next in his coaching journey?

“Having established a structured coaching setup and recruited additional volunteers, I am transitioning away from my coaching coordinator responsibilities to focus on further developing our junior team, for which I am the team manager.”

Recognising the importance of athlete retention, Chris introduced a track and field group last year, which has empowered young athletes with greater confidence to compete in local events.

Moving forward, Chris is pursuing an event group qualification in endurance, an area he personally enjoys.

“I am eager to deepen my understanding of endurance training methods and tailor individualised programs that address the specific needs and aspirations of young athletes.”