Q&A: The coach who put Queenstown running back on map
"When he said; “Dad! You said I could do it and I did!” That was the defining moment. From then I was hooked."
In the days when Chris Dagg dominated the local (and national) running scene, Queenstown was a force in distance running.
Then it slumped. However, recently there has been a revival in distance running in the area, with a number of young Queenstown runners contributing to the strength of Southland athletics.
The catalyst is Neville Britton who has taken mainly Wakatipu High School runners to be a force in the sport.
Siena Mackley and Sammy Fookes for instance, have national championship medals to their names, Siena and Jude Deaker were second to well performed Kennedy Taylor and James McLeay at the recent Southland Schools crosscountry champs.
And there’s a promising crop of youngsters on the way up, including James Weber and Keira Redden Britton was himself a good runner at a high school when the likes of Alan Bunce (Commonwealth Games rep), Eddie Crowe (world Jr champs rep) and John Campbell (Olympian) had the Southland flag flying high.
We asked Britton to describe his journey from schoolboy athlete to successful coach.
What got your started?
I started coaching the way most coaches do… with one of my kids. An 11-year-old son wanted to be good at something so I suggested he try something that he enjoys and he enjoyed running.
As a former runner I knew I could help and after a few months training he won his primary school cross country.
When he said; “Dad! You said I could do it and I did!” That was the defining moment. From then I was hooked.
Briefly describe your coaching philosophy
Never assume you know enough. I’m constantly watching, reading, listening to other coaches, authors, athletes. Sometimes I’ll even challenge past proven theories and I try something different, only to be proven wrong. Learning from mistakes is more powerful than never experiencing a fail.
How long have you been coaching?
Just over 10 years.
What’s been a highlight or highlights of your coaching career?
Two individual national titles have been up there but the minor placings or just finishing can be just as satisfying for a coach.
Preparing a home-cooked meal for Olympians Rod Dixon and Lorraine Moller at Easter after hosting an event in Queenstown with them as Ambassadors. The fact that they were able to digest it would be one of my greatest achievements.
What’s your background, experience and qualifications?
A tradie, a realtor, self-employed businessman and cancer survivor helps me find solutions instead of excuses.
An IAAF Level 2 Certified Middle/Distance Coach.
Graduate of the University of Hard Knocks and Rejection.
What do you do when not coaching?
Sleep! A mother of a lad I coach once asked how many hours a week do I devote to coaching. In-person with my athletes is about 6 hours per week. She asked how many hours behind the scenes: “The rest of them,” I replied.
Who has been an important influence?
The many older (and a couple of younger) coaches who have freely offered advice, constructive criticism, guidance and enthusiasm are a major contribution to athletes’ success. The best ideas are always stolen.
I’ve also met a lot of Athletes both current and former representatives. There is a very common element they all have - a high level of intrinsic motivation, hard work, good listeners, and the ability to reflect and accept when things go wrong.
What is the best part of coaching?
The unexpected hugs and absolute tears of joy on the faces of athletes (and parents) when they achieve more than they believe they ever could have.
And it’s a cheap past time. I have friends who race cars, boats and horses. I race humans but don’t have to fund their replacement parts or feed.
Great attitude coach.