| Our coach usually comes to do some strip-side coaching and to watch. From what I understand--not having gone to any out-of-state competitions I don't know first hand--he's pretty hands on. At an NAC a while ago, one of my club mates assumed the coach was busy so she warmed up by herself and didn't ask him to come over and watch her bout. After the bout he was disappointed that she didn't ask for his help. I do realize of course that we got extremely lucky in attracting the coach we did to our club--if you're reading this, thanks Sergei,you're the greatest. I know in some cases, if two people from the same club are competing at the same time--not against each other--the coach has to make a choice of who to go with. Around my club, it tends to be the better student who gets the coach. I know I'm one of the lesser students, and it doesn't bother me. Others may not feel the same.
As for paying for the coach to go to competitions, usually the people who are going to attend all contribute to his expenses. I'm not sure how much, but it's essentially hotel, food, and plane tickets (if they're flying, sometimes if the comp. is within easy driving distance, people car pool).
In the case of Summer Nats. this year, I believe the s.o.p.--everyone contributes to the coach's expenses--is in effect. In addition, I know that he's planning on doing some directing as well to offset the cost. Then of course, I believe both of his children will be competing so he'd want to be there for their bouts anyway.
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One cat leads to another--Ernest Hemingway.
Writing is very easy. All you do is sit in front of a typewriter (or computer)keyboard and wait until little drops of blood appear on your forehead."
-- Walter W. "Ked" Smith
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