In many high-performing schools and sports programs, we talk about leadership—often a lot.
But in my experience, talking about leadership isn’t the same as building it. Particularly when it comes to coaching staff, “leadership” is too often assumed, not developed.

The truth is, great coaching doesn’t automatically translate to great leadership. They are related, but not identical. And in many organisations I’ve worked with—whether elite rugby teams or school sport academies—it’s the gap between coaching capability and leadership maturity that limits potential.

From Instruction to Influence: Why Coaches Must Lead
A coach influences more than performance. They shape culture, develop identity, and carry the responsibility of care, growth, and standards.

Yet too often, coaching development programs focus on technical and tactical mastery, while leaving behind the deeper work of:

• Leading people through change and adversity
• Communicating purpose and standards with clarity
• Building trust within diverse, dynamic teams
• Navigating professional burnout, politics, or self-doubt

That’s why I designed the Coach IPP (Individualised Performance Plan). It goes beyond a “one-size-fits-all” leadership course. It maps each coach’s current strengths and limitations, aligning their personal development to real, strategic goals in your school or club setting.

What Happens When We Invest in the Coach?
At Rockhampton Grammar School, where we rolled out the Advanced Coach Program in conjunction with a Tiered Academy Pathway, the results were transformative—not just for players, but for coaches themselves. They began:

• Collaborating more across programs
• Leading meetings, not just attending them
• Managing player wellbeing and performance pressures with increased confidence
• Thinking strategically across the whole system, not just their team

One senior staff member told me:
“It was the first time our coaches saw themselves as leaders beyond the game.”

Final Thought: It Starts with the Coach
If you want a value-driven culture, a resilient athlete group, and consistent performance, start with the coach. Not just by giving them leadership responsibilities, but by teaching, mentoring, and challenging them to lead.

Let’s talk about how we can embed leadership in your school or sporting environment through the Coach IPP and Advanced Coach Program.