Sweden signs Sally! / IJF.org
The questions about retirement and future careers are many and charged, always. For all elite athletes, in any sport, the transition from competition is challenging, even when the timing and reasons are perfect.
Just a few weeks before the Tokyo Olympics, Sally Conway (GBR) announced that she was retiring. From the outside, it seemed strange because she still won big medals and was qualified for the games, but that was right for her. With the triple crown of medals in her pocket, the Europeans, the worlds and the Olympics, she was ready to explore the next stage of her life.
So as Tokyo approached, Sally took a coaching course with Judo Scotland and enjoyed turning all her experience as an athlete into the sharpest coaching tools.
“I’m going back to Bristol, England, for Christmas with the family. It’s going to be exciting because I have so much to celebrate and look forward to,” said Sally.
“I was on apprenticeship at Judo Scotland but there was no specific role available to me at the end of the two years. I was still happy to manage it but 5-6 months into the role, Robert Eriksson contacted my coach, Billy Cusack and it went from there. At first I was confused, because when he talked to me about it, I thought it was Bill who had been offered the role. It was a bit of a curve, unexpected. There has been a lot of conversation in recent months. big decision and a huge change for me but what a great opportunity!
I will move to Sweden in January. I was visiting last week to see the facilities and meet people. I officially start on January 1st, with a camp from 2nd to 5th. ”
It is a lot of life change in a very short period, from Olympic athlete to coach apprentice, to Swedish head coach and to handle a huge move to a new country.
“I’m not married or have to juggle a life with children, right now. There are no ties and so I have to take this chance. You know, when you feel comfortable, things are not so growth-oriented. I’m so comfortable in Scotland and very happy but maybe it’s time to get out of my comfort zone again, now as a coach instead of an athlete.This is the moment when we find out what we really can do.
I will be one of two head coaches who work together with Viktor Carlsson in Malmö, starting with 9 athletes and expanding the range to 15 after the summer. I will also get to know the cadets and juniors from the beginning, so that those relationships can be formed from the beginning and make the transitions to senior judo smoother for judokan. “
Robert has been the head coach for 17 years and has shown what consistency can achieve. He is now Performance Director and so it is the team of 3, with Robert at the forefront of all planning. We will be on the mat with the players day in and day out. I already have a really great feeling, for everyone involved and for the place. ”
Sally is completely positive about choosing this new life, despite the natural nerves and some uncertainties. She is not alone! Robert is also very clear about Sweden’s future and Sally’s place in it, “After my retirement as head coach, the association appointed me High Performance Director, with the goal of building a new structure for the national team in Sweden.”
Robert did not hold back from getting started, “An important part of the new structure was to bring in a new coach. I was looking for someone who has been present at a high international level and who was also” young “in his coaching life. I also wanted someone with experience from another nation, so that we could get a mix of new ideas combined with experience from our national staff.
Sally was, for me, a good match from the start. I know her as an athlete and she has the skills and the hunger to start something new.
After Tokyo we have to establish a new era with a long-term goal and for this we now have 2 head coaches, with Sally focusing on 2024 and Viktor Carlsson on 2028, but they will work closely together, with each other and with our 4 national coaches. I will work to support the coaching staff and the organization, so that we can keep the line until Los Angeles 2028.
I am very happy that Sally accepted the position and she will undoubtedly be a great inspiration for many athletes in Sweden. ”
So the scene is ready and now what is happening in Sweden is in the hands of a new, energetic, young team, ready to take on the world.