Patience is key, says coach Jan Roets
Ion Baciu Wrestling Academy coach, Jan Roets advises parents to not put pressure on their children in sport.
The Ion Baciu Wrestling Academy officially opened its doors for 2021 and is preparing for their first competition scheduled for February, permitted that lockdown regulations will allow it.
Coach Jan Roets has been involved in wrestling for approximately 19 years. Way back when he took his son for lessons he met Ion Baciu, a man who he says changed his life and his outlook on the sport. In 2018 he opened the facility and builds on his success year after year.
“I fell in love with the sport and have been a coach since 2000,” Jan says. He added that people think wrestling is what they see on television but it is not. “Wrestling is a sport that helps wrestlers with skills to thrive in other sport, such as rugby, but in its own right, wrestling does very well,” he adds.
He says the sport taught him that it is as mental as it is physical. “Patience is one of the main aspects that the sport teaches a coach,” he adds
His advice to trainers is to not get involved if they are not willing to commit.
When it comes to receiving training to become a better coach, he suggests that coaches should visit other countries to be able to gain as much experience as possible.
“Forming wrestlers and seeing them evolve makes my job worth every minute, on the flip side the sport has no mercy and it is hard work all the way, there is no room to relax,” Jan explains.
He advises parents to not put pressure on their children in sport, give them the time they need to develop as not everyone develops at the same pace.
He describes himself as a person who is God-fearing and wants things to be done the right way, he has an absolute passion for the sport and the youngsters he works with.
