Debbie Barry: 'We want to develop good human beings'

SCW: Do you think it starts with us as coaches role modelling some of those behaviours?

DB: "Absolutely, because you’re front and centre. You’re there all the time with them and they look up to you, whether you realise it or not.

"I think we have a really important role as coaches - we need to be doing the right things, and speaking the right way, because people do notice.

“It definitely starts with us. Sometimes we don’t realise the effect we can have on others, so it’s really important we have that mindset that we model this behaviour so that hopefully others will see that and maybe learn from it.”

SCW: How can we make sure that once we’ve defined what the culture is, that we are bringing it through in all of our sessions and match days?

DB: "That’s the challenge, isn’t it? Because you set your goals and your visions at the start of the year and life happens. There’s different situations, things can change.

"It’s important that the vision and the values are in broad terms, so there is that opportunity to change.

"The good thing about environment and culture is it doesn’t have to stay like that forever. It isn’t permanent.

"I think we need bravery to be adaptable and flexible and if we start to see things that are changing, that we can change as well.

"It’s difficult, setting something out, but at the end of the year reflecting on it.”

SCW: If there are instances in sessions or on match days where you see something that maybe doesn’t match up with the positive environment you’re trying to create, how can we challenge that in the right way?

DB: "It’s a difficult thing to do. Sometimes difficult conversations need to be had with your players.

"It comes back to your relationship with them. Can you actually have those conversations? Is the respect there?

"Looking back on myself as a player, at the coaches that I had respect for, things were fair and communicated properly, I would have done anything for them.

“I would hope that I can build that rapport and relationship with my players [so] that if conversations need to be had, they’ll listen and take things on board.

"It’s having that two-way process - it’s not a dictatorship, it’s a conversation, trying to work things out together.

"As much as we as coaches can set the parameters for the environment, it’s the team that really develops the culture themselves. It’s the individuals in there - the characters, the personalities - that will ultimately drive it. 

“During lockdown, I got obsessed with Legacy [by James Kerr], the Michael Jordan documentary [The Last Dance], Eleven Rings by Phil Jackson and books like the ones written by [former England rugby union head coach] Clive Woodward - all had really successful high-performing teams. 

"It’s having that two-way process. It’s not a dictatorship, it’s a conversation..."

“The one common thread running through them was the culture of the team, that was set up by the individuals at the time.

"There’s only so much we can do as coaches. It’s the players, at the end of the day, that will create that and hopefully they’ll get on.

"They don’t have to be best friends, but it helps if they can do things off the pitch together. They’re more likely to fight and work for each other on the pitch come matchday."

SCW: What advice would you give to a relatively new coach working with a group and looking to develop a positive environment and team culture?

DB: "I think it’s important to have some team building activities to get to know your players, and give them the opportunity to get to know each other.

"But it’s also important to establish expectations early on, and boundaries. We can have all this fun, when things are enjoyable and we’re having a good time, but at the end of the day, you’re here to work.

"I think it’s important to get those relationships right really early on. It doesn’t happen overnight, it doesn’t happen in a week. It takes time and you might reflect back and think it isn’t going well, but you just need to stick with it.

"Trust the process, have good people around you who can support you and help you. Ultimately, things will start to click into place.”