ABSTRACT

In this chapter, David Cooper reflects on the experiences that have led him to over 40 years of coaching at the high school and university level. He describes his coaching development from standing on the touchline coaching the Burlington Danes school football teams from 1976 to 1986, to being Head Coach of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s squash team from 1998 to 2015. During his period as Head Coach, the Blues won five Ontario University Association (OUA) championships, he was named OUA Coach of The Year on five occasions, and in 2018 he was inducted, along with the 2005 team, into the Varsity Blues Hall of Fame. David explains the many ups and downs that have shaped his journey into becoming an athlete-centred coach, one who believes in a Game-Centred Approach to develop players who can think for themselves in the heat of competition.