Listen now for a practical look at what it really takes to develop young athletes in a school environment.

This episode of the ASCA High School & Youth Podcast features Jonathan Dore, a strength & conditioning coach and teacher at Ipswich State High School, who is also heavily involved in rugby league pathways.

The conversation explores the realities of coaching in a school setting: highlighting that it goes beyond physical development to mentoring young people, guiding pathways and building skills for life beyond sport.

Jonathan shares his journey of stepping into a head S&C role at just 21 and learning on the job, gradually developing a strong and sustainable program.

A key theme of this episode is making the most of limited - Limited equipment, limited time and still finding ways to develop athletes effectively.

He also discusses integrating his dual roles as an S&C coach and sport coach, ensuring physical preparation directly supports on-field performance.

Underpinning it all is a strong focus on culture and standards, creating an environment where athletes take ownership and consistently buy into the process.

Takeaways:

• Constraints can improve coaching. • Aligning S&C with sport for better transfer. • Culture and consistency drive results. • Focus on long-term athlete development.

Keywords:

S&C, Youth Development, High School Sport, Coaching, Culture, LTAD