Marcia Bailey is a Technical Lead and Senior Performance Lifestyle Coach at the UK Sport Institute (UKSI) which delivers support services enabling sport and athletes to excel. In fact, over the last 20 years or so, the UKSI’s work has contributed to over 1,000 British, Paralympic and Olympic medals.
In 2011, after conducting extensive surveys of coaching providers, MF was selected as their provider of choice. They continue to sponsor team members to achieve MF’s ILM coaching qualifications.
Marcia herself passed the ILM Level 7 qualification to become a Performance Lifestyle Coach and provides holistic support for the development of athletes on a world class coaching programme.
Here are some reflections from Marcia on her own coaching journey…
Coaching for Holistic Athlete Development
“As a Performance Lifestyle Coach at the UK Sports Institute, I am devoted to supporting athletes in both their personal and professional lives. Our team, functioning under the umbrella of the Institute, focuses on holistic athlete development, addressing crucial areas such as mental health, wellbeing, career development, financial health, learning, and education.
“My journey with the Institute spans over 19 years, witnessing a significant evolution in our approach. Initially functioning as advisors, we transitioned to a more coaching-centric model after embracing the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) coaching qualifications. This shift has not only refined our practice but also clearly defined our roles as either coaches or practitioners, depending on our stage in the coaching journey.
"At the core of our work lies the principle of empowering athletes to find their own solutions and make their own decisions. This approach is integral, especially during key life transitions or when challenging attitudes and behaviours are necessary for growth. As a Senior Performance Lifestyle Coach, I now focus primarily on developing other practitioners, using coaching techniques to enhance their self-awareness and emotional intelligence, which are vital in our line of work.”
'More2Me' Initiative and Athlete Identity
“A critical aspect of our coaching involves helping athletes understand that they are more than just performers; they have identities and roles beyond their sporting careers. Our 'More2Me' initiative guides them through this identity journey, aiding in exploring their interests, ambitions, and life outside of sport. This understanding helps in crafting a smoother transition post their athletic career.
“A significant part of our conversations with athletes revolves around mental health and wellbeing. As confidants, we help them understand themselves better and navigate their darker moments. While not being clinicians, we often guide them to appropriate resources or professional help when needed.”
The Future of Coaching at UK Sports Institute
“Looking ahead, the UK Sports Institute aims to make coaching and mentoring skills accessible to a wider range of individuals, not just confined to managers or leaders. This initiative includes modules for anyone interested in learning the basics of coaching and opportunities for professional development across various roles within the organisation.
“Coaching at the UK Sports Institute goes beyond just enhancing athletic performance; it's about nurturing the individual behind the athlete. Through our commitment to holistic development and continuous learning, we aim to ensure that each athlete not only excels in their sport but also thrives in life beyond it. The integration of coaching into our practices has been pivotal in achieving this, and we continue to explore new avenues to enrich our coaching journey.”
Listening, Guiding & Supporting Athletes
Echoing Marcia's comments and experiences, fellow Senior Performance Lifestyle (PL) Coach Dawn Airton, featured in this recent UKSI interview where she shares her thoughts on what makes Performance Lifestyle support so successful amongst athletes:
ARE YOU FEELING INSPIRED?
Our MF qualifications, approved by the ILM, help you to be the best coach you can be. We encourage breadth in learning, application of skills and self-reflection. All involve completing a set number of hours of coaching practice, writing three assignments, and showing evidence of additional CPD in coaching.
We look after all of this for you and go a step further - incorporating high quality feedback from practising coaches who have helped qualify hundreds of coaches, many of whom now work professionally. Throughout the MF training you are ensured excellent supervision, regular interaction with the MF community, access to our bespoke digital platform, and the assurance of a robust programme expertly blended with pragmatism and good humour.
To learn more about how we can help you, check out the Professional Qualifications page on our website, or contact us via info@managementfutures.co.uk
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