Anji Carson

PROFILE

I started coaching when I was an athlete at Kilbarchan AC and damaged my back, I went to the track to let the coach know I would not be about for 4 months.  He was coaching the U20 girls and was short-handed and asked if I would help the next thing I knew I had taken my level 1 coach assistant course and was part of the coaching team for the U20 girls.  Brought back lots of memories of my running days at Gateshead Harriers (many moons ago) and how important my coaches were to me.  I found a passion for coaching and giving something back to the sport. 

I moved clubs for reasons of my own running and joined Bellahouston Harriers and again ended up assisting the coaching and completed my Level 2 Athletics Coach qualification.  I then moved to Giffnock North AC as an athlete and during this time took my level 3 Event Endurance course and was coaching at our local Jog Scotland group Fenwick Striders.  During the start of the COVID pandemic the club asked for help with the young athletes due to restrictions in sizes of the groups which I volunteered and again found a love for coaching the younger generation.  I was persuaded to stay and take on my own group, which was and is the U15 Boys Endurance.  And they are an absolute joy to coach, very challenging but very rewarding. 

No matter what age, sex, ability, to be able to coach a person and help them achieve what they want to achieve is one of the best feelings anyone can have. There are too many moments to write about as every single athlete I coach is a special moment.   Coaching is a never ending progress in learning, and my love for the sport and its benefits encourages me to keep learning.

My moto is – Its all about them.