Flockhart embraces online coaching

Inverness throws coach Duncan Flockhart is embracing social media to keep in touch with athletes during the current Covid-19 pandemic crisis.

Since the lockdown began in March, scottishathletics has cancelled all competitions and club training sessions.

Coaches and athletes have had to adapt to the situation and Flockhart is no different.

He said: “I am using WhatsApp as a way of staying in touch with the athletes and that’s working well as a way of sending out the sessions they have to do.

“I have to thank my daughters for educating me about this as a few years ago I wouldn’t have known what to do with it.

“Some of the athletes send me videos of their jumps if they need technical advice, so I spend a lot of evenings going through these and providing feedback.

“There have been some positives from the current situation as it has allowed some of them more time to explore and work on their weaknesses.

“If we had competitions going on through the summer they would have battled on, but now there’s an opportunity to focus on areas which need a bit of correction.”

Flockhart is impressed that his training group has managed to keep training effectively despite the difficulties of lockdown.

He said: “It’s difficult for most throws events. Throwing the shot isn’t a problem because of the distances involved. It can be done in a garden or a quiet area of ground.

“But there’s not many places you can safely throw a hammer, discus and javelin.

“Generally, however, the athletes are all doing well. They are a good bunch are making the most of it.”

Outstanding in his field: Alister Mackay was fourth in the under-17 competition.

Photograph by Chris Sumner