British
Grand Prix
 Andrea:
This
past summer, top ranking Canadian swimmers were selected to two Tour Teams: the
World Championship Team, and the Senior B Tour Team. Because of Michelle Williams
outstanding ranking in the 100 Freestyle event, and her selection to the Tour
Team, Coach Murray was chosen by Swimming Canada as a member of the coaching staff
to the 2009 Senior "B" Tour Team. This team of athletes from across
the country traveled to the UK to compete in the British Short Course Grand Prix,
in Leeds, UK in August 2009.
I
asked Murray what it was it like to coach and mentor swimmers who were new to
him.
Murray:
Having done this before in the 90s and working with other coaches'
athletes, you try to find out what has worked well for them in the past and trying
to capitalize on their strengths. While in the UK, I had six swimmers under my
guidance during the tour. Every swimmer had improved upon their performance at
Summer Nationals. This is impressive since the tour was only a few weeks following
Summer Nationals. One of the swimmers was milliseconds off of the 100 IM World
Record time in prelims - not even a final, if you can imagine. Of course it was
also different coaching Michelle because I got a chance to work with her while
on her first senior national team.
Andrea:
What did you think about the competition and how did the Canadian
team stacked up?
Murray:
By and large, for a lot of the Canadian contingent, this was their
first Senior Canadian Tour Team. Our performances were stellar in light of the
fact that it was their first experience on a high level Tour Team. One needs to
realize that you are away from home for three to four weeks at a time and if you're
not used to this, it becomes a very long time to remain "on your game".
This schedule is grueling and takes a toll on the athletes.
Andrea:
How tough was it to have swimmers training and competing well into
the last month of the summer? Did you see any signs of fatigue?.
Murray:
Athletes rose to the occasion when they had to stand up on the blocks.
It is very different when you are representing your country. Being homesick, not
sleeping in your own bed, not eating mom's home cooked food can its toll, but
the expectation to perform and not wanting to let your team mates down, really
drives your performance in spite of the fatigue factor. You can dream about your
racing experiences back home, when you have the support of your family and comfortable
surroundings, but when you're away on a travel team experience you have to learn
to cut it on your own! American
Swim Coaches Association World Clinic
Andrea:
Early in September, Coach Murray spent an enlightening four days at
the American Swim Coaches Association World Clinic in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida. Following the conference I asked Murray to share one item that left an
impression upon them. Here is what he had to say:
Murray:
By listening to some of the greatest minds in our sport (Eddie Reese
- U of Texas, and Dr. David Salo - USC), I noticed a few key themes: One theme
was that "things do not need to be complicated". This developed when
listening to these great minds describe, in very simple terms, what works for
them and what it takes to get to the top. A lot of their examples were truly uncomplicated.
Obviously you try new things pertaining to training, but it was reinforced by
them that you need to believe in yourself as coach and know where you want to
go with your program. Having the mindset that our top group can access international
performance, says a lot for our mandate for the national group. The journey to
excellence begins in high school, and continues post secondary to a point whereby
you can have athletes at the professional level . The mindset we want to create
is that university is a part of this process and that NYAC can remain the home
club. NYAC being the home club doesn't need to stop, as swimmers go away to university
but come home in the summer to train back home again. You can enjoy a university
experience without cutting ties with your home club if the top group is geared
toward international performance and a level that is worthy of your goals and
aspirations. The point is that the expectations of the national group should be
performance at the international level which should be attractive to any swimmer
with such aspirations. | 
