Kendo Coach #171: Dr Kate Sylvester - Coaching with Care, Authenticity, & Reflexivity

In this episode, we explore how caring and responsible coaching fosters personal development through the experiences of Dr. Kate Sylvester, an expert in Kendo and gender equality in martial arts. Kate's recent book, Women and Martial Art in Japan, sheds light on the challenges and opportunities women face in this traditionally male-dominated sport. Through her coaching journey with national Kendo teams in Australia and Sweden, Kate brings a unique perspective on cultural influences in sports coaching. Together, we’ll uncover strategies for overcoming gender-based discrimination in martial arts and how Kate balances her personal development with the responsibilities of leadership.

Let’s jump in!

• 1.39: Breakfast choice?  
• 2.20: What is Kendo?
• 4.54: What are some of the character traits that the sport of Kendo cultivates?
  
  • Respect
  • The thrill of competition - gratitude
  • Great for developing confidence
• 6.55: Take us back to teenage Kate - as an exchange student in Japan learning Kendo for the first time (friendships).
• 10.01: Kate's book: Women and Martial Art in Japan (2022) and through her research, she discovered that women train just as hard as men and invest just as much as men in Kendo.
• 12.25: What was it like coaching the men's and women's National teams?
  • You don't need to prove yourself, just be authentic.
  • Show that you care and tap into what they want to achieve.
• 15.43: Can care and empathy-based coaching be learned?
• 17.22: As a coach did you have to treat the Australian National team any differently to the Swedish team? (Cultural differences)
  • It can take a little bit more time to develop rapport with Swedish people.
• 18.29: What makes a great coach?
  • 1) Self-reflexivity
  • 2) Authentic
  • 3) Risk-taking 
• 20.00: How do you balance being a coach and an athlete?
• 21.50: How do you advocate for personal development through coaching?
  • Being vulnerable: "Am I coaching you in the right way?"
• 26.00: Disruptive coaching idea that will change the way we coach in 2030?
  • "It's really important to open nurturing and safe spaces, for male athletes to openly express their emotions." 
• 27.30: What does responsible coaching mean to you?
• 29.00: How can we raise our game as coaches?
• 32.21: Practice self-reflexivity - how are your athletes or clients or team members responding to you?

To learn more about becoming a workplace coach or advancing your coaching skills, visit: www.coachem.cc or email: info@emmadoyle.com.au 

About Kate Sylvester PhD - Researcher

Dr Kate Sylvester is an independent scholar. Her recent book titled Women and Martial Art in Japan (2022) is based on extensive original ethnographic research that examined identity politics and women's sport and university kendo in Japan.  Kate started kendo as a high school exchange student in Japan and has trained at elite universities and police institutions in Japan. A kendo practitioner of 32 years, she is currently ranked 6 dan renshi. As head coach of the women's and men’s Australian National Kendo Team (2015-2018), she led the women's team to place 3rd, which was Australia’s first medal at a World Kendo Championship. In her recent leadership role, Kate was head coach of the Swedish Women's National Kendo Team (2021-2024). She has represented her country at 8 World Kendo Championships as a player and coach. Kate advocates for the amelioration of gender-based discrimination and violence in kendo and other MACS (Martial Art and Combat Sport) through her research and leadership.

Connect with Kate
Website: https://ksperspectives.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateSylvesterPerspectives/  Insta: https://www.instagram.com/kate_sylvester_perspectives/