Matt McInnes: International Athletic Director - Transitioning to a new school Athletics For Life

We interviewed Mr Matt McInnes CIAA, CMAA. Matt has been the Director of Athletics and Activities at the International School of Panama for the past 4 years. He worked as the Head of PE and Athletics Director in Mexico City for 6 years. Before that he worked as a PE teacher in Malaysia and in the UK, USA and Australia as International Football Coach and Consultant.
We met Matt through the virtual NIAAA conference where he was very open, approachable and eager to share his best practices and to collaborate with others.
Matt has structured the Athletics department at the International School of Panama in a unique way. He established 'coordinators' for each sport and they share a lot of decision making and leadership together with Matt.


In addition, the International School of Panama was the first Latin American International School and the Second International School worldwide to receive the NFHS Level 1 Coaching Development Distinction.


Thank you Matt for being on the Athletics For Life Podcast.


'It is our duty as Athletics and Activities Director to leave the place better than when you arrived' - Matt McInnes


'Setting up the right structures, policies and systems within the Athletics department is the key to make the transition easier' - Matt McInnes


'The process is the key, teaching students the life skills, tactics, teamwork etc should be the focus. Winning is secondary'- Matt McInnes


'Our duty that everyone in the school community embraces learning and personal development' - Matt McInnes


'Depersonalization is the key to grow your program and to grow as a person and professional' - Matt McInnes


Topics Covered
His role at the International School of Panama
How does he prepare himself for his transition to China
The structure of the Athletics department at the International of Panama
The impact of COVID-19 on ISPanama athletic programs
His path to his Certified Master in Athletic Administrator Certification and how he shifted from a face-to-face to a virtual athletics program
How did he strategize the social media presence of the athletics program during the pandemic
How does the Certified Master in Athletic Administrator Certification application work
How has the NIAAA certification process benefitted him as a non-US Athletics Director
How do you celebrate your athletics program through social media in the right way
What is his philosophy as an Athletics and Activities Director
His vision on Sportsmanship
How to promote a Coaches PD budget
The importance of good communication to promote your athletics program
How does he balance his life
The lessons learned from the pandemic
Matt's tips for upcoming Athletic and Activities Directors
The world is a small place
Website International School of Panama - https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_descriptionandredir_token=QUFFLUhqbk1kZ0JyZ2J1ajc3MDJBQVNKcnZldXA4Si1od3xBQ3Jtc0trT2JGV0g3dkJncGxaWVJQblFrNGFXQTUwRDY2Yk82TGJhMUE0R3Q1QXQzN0dpQk1VNWxZdUVLNFR2OWtBVXNWR1FJU2tXS0dkY2ZFMVpCSUU0NkF3UVgtdGVmTjA0aE5zUUN1STNUcUowUElhMHg4RQandq=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.isp.edu.pa%2F (https://www.isp.edu.pa/)​


Host(s): CD Johnson and Jeff Koops
Twitter: @AthleticsforLi2
Special Guest: Mr Matt McInnes CIAA, CMAA
Camera and editing: Scott Lillis


NFHS Level 1 Coaches Development Distinction: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_descriptionandredir_token=QUFFLUhqbVpyUkg5VG05QXZsVVgxTW1CMEFmaUtXX3R1Z3xBQ3Jtc0ttWVBqTzdUdkhqM0ozZHhyOGF0dnNmTGRHSVN6RVpvajN5SGtuY1dEZWNJbVlCYXcwWEg4Ym9iclp0MjR1LW5SaGlDaHRORGo2V0lDMnl2LXpSMTJZWkp6VlBCTE9sVGNmTk9ueGp5MDRPUnFxVFhzbwandq=https%3A%2F%2Fnfhslearn.com%2Fhome%2Fcoaches (https://nfhslearn.com/home/coaches)​


NIAAA Website:...