Having just landed back home after another amazing professional development week during GAIN XI at Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA, I’d thought I would share with you, through photos, snippets of what goes on during a typical week at GAIN and what makes GAIN<\/em><\/strong>…<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n GAIN 2018\u00a0<\/strong>went beyond expectations! AGAIN. Having been to previous GAINs (GAIN VIII, GAIN IX and GAIN X) you know what to expect waiting in anticipation for what is yet to come… Each time though when you are waiting at the airport terminal for your flight back home at the end of the week you sit back and reflect on\u00a0what has been an awe inspiring week of professional development, knowledge sharing, and many interactions with many different people from all over the world… from different fields of Athletic Development… from different sports… from different levels of sport…<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Vern sets the tone from the get go with the annual “State of GAIN” address on the Tuesday evening…<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n This can be viewed here..\u00a0https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thegainnetwork\/videos\/10156630095333738\/<\/a><\/p>\n Every morning we are on the Athletics Track starting at 6:30am moving through 3 Teaching Sessions of around 20 minutes each focusing on many different areas and aspects of Athletic Development…<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Here’s is a taste of a typical 6:30am Teaching Session scene…\u00a0https:\/\/vimeo.com\/275303454<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n BUT here’s the thing: They are not just any old\u00a0“Teaching Sessions”<\/em>…! You are genuinely learning from the BEST in the field of Athletic Development… and then those BEST are actively taking part and engaging in the Teaching Sessions as well themselves…<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n There are a whole lot of different opportunities to learn from and connect with fellow GAINers, both in formal and informal ways. Every second of every day is maximised to its full potential and no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of EXCELLENCE <\/strong>to keep learning… to keep pushing the boundaries… #YouDontKnowWhatYouDontKnow<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n If you are fortunate enough, you get opportunities to Teach and Coach fellow GAINers at 6:30am putting you outside of your\u00a0Comfort Zone<\/em><\/strong>, because coaching colleagues is one thing, when some are the\u00a0World Leaders<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/i>in their respective fields… that is another thing!<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Plus opportunities to present your application of the teaching you absorb and the learnings you make from GAIN Faculty members at previous GAINs…<\/p>\n