Alan Black Inspires Athletes Through Motivational Talk

  • Alan Black, of WAIS

It's important to dream, according to WA Institute of Sport Coaching Group Manager: Invasion Sports Alan Black.

"The difference between dreaming and goal-setting is getting up in the morning and doing something about it," he explained.

Alan Black took time out from his busy schedule last night (15th February,2010) to speak to the 11 ENP athletes, who are attending the third ENP Intensive Training Session, in Perth.

A former Wildcats coach and national basketball player, Black showed a DVD on the Wildcats overall victory in 2000, when he was coaching the team.

Winning the basketball final in 2000 had come from the players' desire to 'do better'.  They decided to train twice a day instead of once a day, which culminated in them winning 16 games straight, including 'the one that mattered'!

He explained that it was the extra things that the sailors had to do 'to make it to the top', to reach the finals and potentially win a medal at the Olympic Games.

He has learnt that hard work does not always equal success. 

"It's the extra things that you do every day that puts you ahead of the competition," said Black.

He gave several inspirational examples of sports stars who did not start out at the top of their game, including that of Australian gymnast Lauren Mitchell who has gone from being 'about third or fourth' to recently winning two Silver Medals.  I like her motto, he said - 'success is lots of little efforts'.

Black also recounted his own experiences during his playing days and that of his son Stephen Black, who is also well-known on the basketball circuit.

He gave examples of 'extra effort' and hard work that led to success and mentioned failures that led to re-evaluation and positive growth.

ENP Head Coach Belinda Stowell said that Black's timely advice would add immense value to what they had been working on during the first week of the third ENP Intensive Training Session.

Perth 2011 is very grateful to Alan Black for dedicating his time to provide such a motivational, insightful and inspirational talk to the international athletes.