From Bill’s Letter to the Membership of the United States Elite Coaches Association for Women’s Gymnastics newsletter Sept. 2007.
He’s saying something that many, many coaches have been thinking. Congress needs to be improved:
It was interesting for me to observe the Congress activities since I’ve been attending for over 35 years. …
… it may sound like I’m being negative when in fact I’m just trying to make an already good thing better. As I stopped in from lecture to lecture I noted that almost everyone had something to sell. Either they were trying to drum up consulting business or they were trying to sell videos, books, and so forth. … I find this disquieting because there is a place to sell things which is in the vendors area. I’m troubled by people trying to set themselves up as gurus on some topical area and then provide a website, order blanks, brochures, and so forth to acquire more business clients – as part of an “educational” presentation.
… I worry that USA Gymnastics is giving tacit approval and support to these people, services, products, and whatnot by providing them a forum and a captive audience.
… In closing, I have one more issue – quality control. I’m not going to pretend that I’m an expert in everything, but even with limited knowledge in most areas I knew that some of the information being tossed out as fact was anything but. … There seem to be every more self-appointed gurus who have neither the credentials nor the experience to be offering their ideas as facts. Almost invariably they are enthusiastic to the point of wondering if they need a sedative, they name-drop in nearly every sentence, they tout something that is “highly successful” with absolutely no data to back up the statement, and they like to use scientific words strung together in meaningless sentences. …
Bill Sands
I agree. The general level of presentations in Australia and Canada, for example, are better. Also, there seems to be no incentive to bring in new people, new voices, especially from out-of-country.
On the other hand, Bill continues:
Congress remains the single best place to see the most gymnastics education and a great competition (where of course learning should happen also). … Be sure to check credentials of the people who are speaking, ask them where their data or supporting information is (not just who they’ve worked with) …
I’d love to link to the full, original letter. But sadly it is not posted on the USECA website. Email Bill at Bill.Sands @ USOC.org if you want a copy.
UPDATE: Bill sent me his entire Letter to the Membership and I posted it separately.
Truth is … the USECA website is not useful to non-members. For one thing, you feel “tricked” into clicking on links that then say: “This is one of those “teasers” to show you what MEMBERS receive.”
If you want to enjoy the many, many benefits, you need join USECA. Membership starts at US$150 / year. It is excellent value at that price.
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