Written by Not many athletes use the psychological tactic of a ‘rating system’ as a means of performance enhancement, in fact according to coach Matt Horsnell, most competitive athletes would find the system has the other effect on them. Australian high-jumper Nicola McDermott, however, calmly dissects her performance into different categories and then assesses and scores them out of 10. “I never get 10 out of 10 – there is always something to work on.”
This rational methodology has enabled McDermott to edge closer to the much sought-after goal of the 2-meter jump that many before her have fallen short of.
As she prepares for the Tokyo Olympics, McDermott presents the philosophy; ‘I do sport, but it’s not who I am’, she systematically approaches her training with the notion that it isn’t her whole life, but an important part that she should work hard at. The method is paying off for the 24-year-old as she has achieved a new personal best every year. In 2018 at the Commonwealth Games, she reached 1.91m, enough to earn a bronze medal and in 2019 her 1.96m successful jump was the Olympic qualifying height in the Czech Republic.
McDermott is fortunate in her choice of coach, Horsnell has been coaching the athlete since she was 11. He has developed a steady progressive 10-year plan that has provided for her an excellent atmosphere in which to develop without feeling unduly pressured. Horsnell, for his part, sees McDermott as well-adjusted and always happy declaring her a “dream to coach”, and McDermott is equally complimentary saying of her coach; “We were never in a rush and that has allowed me plenty of time to progress” … “He is always willing to learn and will talk high jump all day. He is passionate, encouraging and so humble. It is impossible not to be motivated by him.”
It’s apparent that the healthy relationship that has formed between coach and athlete has successfully harnessed and directed her obvious skill and given her motivation and confidence. A positive environment such as this is therefore ideal and pivotal to sporting growth and success as much as it is to continuous improvement in any sector.
Her sights following Tokyo fixed on the Paris and Los Angeles Olympics and even further to Brisbane, hopefully in 2032, McDermott reflects on the long path that she has taken to reach this point and declares herself “… thankful for all the challenges during the journey. It has made me who I am.”
“I think I have the potential to jump a PB at the Olympics, to break that 2m barrier. I can’t determine what I will jump that day, but I can control how I approach it. I’m going for a medal – I wouldn’t say I’m just going for a good time.” – Nicola McDermott
Rising star McDermott: ‘High jump was my calling’ | FEATURE | World Athletics
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