For this weeks NBL takeover, Loughborough Riders will be taking over the NBL Instagram stories on Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 February.
We caught up with Riders' Coach Mark Jarram ahead of their takeover weekend, in this weeks Coach Spotlight.
COACH SPOTLIGHT
Name: Mark Jarram
Team: Loughborough Riders - Division One Men
What brought you into coaching?
I was a pretty decent player, but came to a point of realisation that I did not have a career in basketball through a playing route, so decided to invest into the coaching route. I knew I wanted a career in the game and I was always wired to be a servant leader and be in a challenging industry where there is the opportunity to improve and grow every single day.
What were your original thoughts when you moved into coaching?
This suits me. We have a wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact to those we work with, both players and support staff. There was so much I had to learn and become better at and that excited me. I am and always will be inspired by the opportunity to get better every single day.
What did you find most interesting to learn as a coach?
Coaches need players just as much, if not more, than players need coaches.
What was the most rewarding part of your coaching journey so far?
Winning silverware would be the obvious answer, but honestly the more rewarding parts are the light bulb moments of athletes, seeing players move towards meeting their potential, seeing players enjoy moments together and seeing them progress and move on. Helping them progress in their careers as basketball players but even better people.
Which parts of coaching do you like the most?
The holistic approach. Being able to work with this group, this age and stage of their careers and where they are in life. I enjoy being able to improve their performance as a basketball player but even more so make an impact and prepare them for life after Loughborough and life after basketball.
Where are you now? How are you using your coaching skills?
I try to use my coaching skills to bring the best out of people.
What is your coaching niche and why did you choose it?
We live by a simple motto of “do the right thing”. The right thing will always be the right thing. We try to bring that to life moment to moment in all aspects of their journey both on and off court. From a basketball standpoint, we want to be the team that you hate to play against.
What is your coaching vision for the next 2 years?
Staying relentless in the pursuit of improvement. To be a better version of myself so that I can have an even more effective and efficient impact on those around me.
What is your favourite coaching question from athletes?
“Why?”
What advice do you have for those coaches currently in training?
Stay grounded and have perspective but you must fall in love with getting better!
What legacy would you like to leave behind you?
That I left a programme better than I found it and that I made a positive impact and added value to those I had the opportunity to work with.
You can follow Mark Jarram's progress this weekend as Loughborough Riders takeover the NBL Instagram stories!
