Dad of a Champion: A Father's Day interview with Carl McNeice
This Father’s Day, we speak to the dedicated dad of GB Climber, Erin McNeice. What does it take to bring up a World Cup winner? Carl McNeice spoke to the BMC about the commitment and support required — and how to balance the challenging and co-existing roles of father, coach, manager, belayer, taxi and Bank of Dad…
Carl McNeice, father of Olympic finalist and IFSC Lead World Cup gold medallist Erin McNeice
You're a keen climber. As a climbing parent, how did you approach introducing Erin and her brother Callum to the sport without making them feel like they had to follow you into it?
I figured school would have the basic sports covered, so we introduced the kids to lots of more niche sports like climbing, skateboarding, triathlons, surfing. None of them were serious, just taster sessions. It possibly influenced them as they could see me climbing as well, but we never made it super serious or limited them to one sporting focus. They were naturally pretty good at climbing, which I am sure helped.
You have climbed outdoors together as a family and often climb together during Erin’s sessions. How do you think this training environment helped Erin to progress without feeling pressure?
I think it is nice for Erin, or any athlete, to have company on long training sessions. As a parent you can spot signs of stress and try to alleviate them, either immediately or later on. We always try to keep training sessions fun, varied, and challenging, even within the training plan which Erin will follow. I am not sure you can ever remove pressure, but finding ways to enjoy the pressure, or be resilient to it, without necessarily realising you are doing that are things the whole family can try and help with.
When Erin started competing as a child, how did you manage the balance between being a supportive dad and offering technical feedback as a knowledgeable climbing parent, or “coach”?
Every child is different, but I think it is generally true that there are times when kids will take advice and times they will not (at least not immediately). Learning when to provide feedback is a key skill. I believe the athlete also has to accept that feedback is always given with an intention to improve, not criticise. As Erin has progressed, she has had access to coaches and trainers with more knowledge than I possess, but I still enjoy giving her my observations and hopefully they add some value.
There are, though, always times when you need to shut off anything ‘coachy’ and be a parent, and those can be the best times.
What’s the most important thing that being a father to an athlete like Erin has taught you?
This may sound a bit brutal, but being honest with her in terms of goals and objectives, especially as these became wider, i.e. national to international success. If an athlete truly wants to achieve and be amongst the best in the world, there are a lot of sacrifices and commitments to be made that they need to understand and accept.
A key bit of advice from someone who is in a similar position (Tristian Roberts) has always stuck with me: ‘No-one knows your child like you do’. This is so true and gives you a unique perspective.
Can you describe the emotions of watching your daughter compete in an Olympic or World Cup final?
The work she put in before the Olympic Qualification Series (on the back of some very forthright feedback from her coaches on what she needed to do over the off-season) was intense and the results immense. So, I was super proud of her to have committed to that and qualified for the biggest sporting event in the world. To then see her keep it all together, climb well, make the finals, and really enjoy the whole experience was incredible. So, I think pride for me and happiness for her.
What advice would you give to other dads of talented climber kids?
Let the kids take it at their own speed. There is always another competition they can do, or a better club they could join, but the key thing for younger athletes is to enjoy it. Success from a young age does not guarantee anything because so much changes as kids develop and grow up. Erin progressed and gave more and more time to climbing because she chose to. I tried to create an environment which was supportive, fun and stress free, but at the various milestones we openly talked about the commitment she needed to make to take the next step.
I guess in many ways parents also make a commitment, whether that be time, finance, support etc. You can still be an integral part of the journey, or support structure, without being directly involved in the coaching.
Erin McNeice, Olympian and World Cup gold medallist winner
What’s it like to have a dad who understands climbing movement (and at what age did you first burn him off?)
Obviously it’s nice that he understands the movements so we can better talk about the comps and areas for improvement. Regardless of the understanding, he still likes to set me near impossible circuit climbs.
I don’t remember exactly when I started burning him off, but I do remember it was a big motivator for me. When we trained together, I just wanted to beat him, so I had the bragging rights over the dinner table.
What’s the best thing about your dad? (and what’s the most annoying thing?!)
My dad is very brutal. He’s very much a “no excuses” man. If I need to get better at something or change something, he will tell me in a very straight way. But then he also tries to make the process super enjoyable. There are so many smiles and laughs in my sessions. It is training and it is my job, but it’s also a passion and something to be thoroughly enjoyed. I really like the balance of the two.
The most annoying thing. Only one? I’m joking. I don’t think my dad has much of a filter. Maybe he speaks before he’s fully thought it through. Not really annoying, and it’s led to some very funny moments.
What would you like to say to your dad on Father’s Day?
I’d just say thank you. You’ve had a huge impact on me. Throughout my entire childhood and through the start of my career. I know you’ll continue to be a massive part of it all. I hope I have made you proud and that I can continue to grow with you by my side.
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