By Gillian Collinson
Introduction
My journey of mentoring others did not begin on the pickleball court. It first took root during my years in the Police, where I guided young officers as they progressed towards becoming detectives. As a retired Inspector, I quickly realised I was never going to be someone who simply sat still. I sought purpose, challenge, and growth, and was eager to further develop my mentoring skills. This drive inspired me to take my passion for pickleball and transform it into the next chapter of my life.
Beginning my Coaching Career
In 2024, I completed my Level 1 coaching course, fine-tuned my abilities, and launched my own coaching business. Not content to leave it there, I decided to undertake the pilot Level 2 pickleball qualification in 2025, under the expert guidance of Sam Basford and Rob Williams. Going into the course. The two-day training was manageable for me as an existing coach, but that was the easy part and only the beginning.
Beyond the Training Course
The real work began after the training had finished. I needed to plan, deliver lessons, reflect on my practice, and demonstrate my coaching skills in depth — particularly my technical abilities and feeding consistency. It is important not to assume that completing the two-day course guarantees the qualification.
Challenges and Expectations
Post course work requires a full coaching session to be videoed, lesson plans, reflection assessments, skills and feeding assessments to be videoed (approximately 30).
The process was tough, and rightly so. A Level 2 coach is expected to uphold a high, consistent standard nationwide, and the qualification process reflects that expectation. One of the most demanding aspects was the reflection work, which required genuine honesty about my strengths, weaknesses, and growth as a coach. This forced me to examine myself in ways I had not previously considered and was key in the development of me as a coach.
Personal Growth and Key Lessons
Perhaps the greatest personal shift was learning to separate my identity as a player from my role as a coach. The two do not always complement each other, and coming to terms with this distinction took time and acceptance. I am now at peace with this, and it stands out as one of the most important lessons I have learned. Some of the best Pickleball players across the world will not necessarily make them the best coaches.
Being a good coach is about detection, correction, delivery of message, encouragement and taking pride in your students’ personal development and achievements.
Takeaways and Advice
Key takeaways from the course include teaming up with like-minded students, working together after the two-day course, seeking their feedback by assessing your coaching, and sharing ideas and progress. This support was invaluable for me.
So if you are thinking of undertaking the Level 2 course, go for it. I am always contactable for advice regrading my journey.
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