As we do every Wednesday we have features and have been looking at different Technical officials. Today we start talking to coaches and we look at the Extraordinary Hockey Coaching Journey of Moses Kagochi from Kenya.
As I reflect upon my hockey coaching journey, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and nostalgia. It all began back in 1991 when I first stepped onto the field at Jamhuri High School, igniting my passion for the game that would shape my life. From there, my journey took me through various teams and clubs, each one contributing to my growth as a player and eventually as a coach.
I started my playing career with Kenya Breweries, which later transformed into Wazalendo, and then Karate Aziom. Along the way, I also had the privilege of training and playing for Barclays after my time with Breweries, culminating with Karate Axiom. These experiences exposed me to different playing styles, strategies, and teammates who became lifelong friends.
It was during my time working in Malawi that I had a serendipitous encounter with Allistair Fredricks, may his soul rest in peace. Allistair introduced me to coach’s education, planting the seed for my coaching journey. In 2009, I completed my South Africa Hockey Association Level O and coaching courses, which laid the foundation for what was to come.
The impact of coaches in my life cannot be overstated. The late Tobias Oduor and Gursharan Lal Singh taught me the power of empathy and the importance of mental and technical training. The late Riaz Shah instilled in me a deep understanding of technique and tactics. My coaching journey took me across the globe, from South Africa to Namibia, Netherlands to Germany, Italy to India, and the UK. Each country presented its own set of challenges, but each experience contributed to my growth as a coach.
Internationally, I have been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors and figures in the hockey world. The late Allistair Fredricks and Fabian Gregory made a profound impact on my coaching philosophy. Sigried Aikman from the Netherlands and Michel Kinen from Belgium, both associated with the FIH (International Hockey Federation), have been instrumental in my development as a high-performance coach, coach developer, and coach educator.
Two particular highlights stand out in my journey. In 2019, I had the privilege of becoming an FIH educator in India, and in January 2023, I was invited to participate in the first FIH high-performance level 5 program during the World Cup. These moments of recognition and growth have fueled my motivation to be the best professional I can be.
Of course, the coaching path is not without its sacrifices and challenges. It requires immense dedication of time and finances, all while continually proving oneself. However, my desire to constantly better myself and help others grow serves as my ultimate motivation. The opportunity to coach internationally has opened doors to remarkable networking and camaraderie among fellow coaches.
Being able to educate coaches from all corners of the world is a humbling experience. When your motives are pure and you genuinely seek to assist and help others, growth becomes inevitable. For aspiring coaches who wish to follow a similar path, I offer the following advice:
- Be secure in yourself and know your goals.
- Maintain an open mind and hunger for feedback, both positive and negative.
- Continuously seek opportunities for growth and be open to change.
- Embrace humility and approach coaching with a sincere desire to assist others.
- Strive to work smart and hard, consistently aiming to be the best version of yourself.
As I continue on this coaching journey, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences and opportunities that have shaped me. I look forward to the future, where I can continue to learn, grow, and make a positive impact on the lives of athletes and coaches around the world.
Click to find more breaking stories on our WhatsApp Channel https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaIhJNP9MF8wVrmIJF08
