Real advice from PlayBook’s Super Coaches
Private coaching isn’t just about running drills. It’s about building confidence. Creating connection. And helping young athletes fall in love with their sport again.
As Paige Hadley puts it: “PlayBook coaching started as a bit of extra income but I continue to do it for the friendships and mentoring, where I can help someone be a better, more confident person.”
And for Matt Renshaw: “If kids can come out and enjoy an hour of cricket to escape the challenges of life… and if their skills improve that’s a bonus.”
If you’re ready to build momentum with your private coaching, here’s how to truly blitz it 👇
1️⃣ Get Your First Bookings (Promotion That Works)
“The general public don’t know about you unless you promote yourself.” – Matt Ballin
You might be elite. You might have years of experience.
But visibility = bookings. You need to put yourself out there so the people around you know that you’re available to book for coaching and mentoring.
🔥 Use the platforms you’re already on
Sam Truloff shares:
- Post your PlayBook tile to Instagram stories
- Add an eye-catching caption + booking link
- Put your PlayBook link in your bio
- Pin a coaching post to the top of your feed
Peak times to promote?
- Pre-season
- During season
- School holidays
Peak times to be available for sessions?
- Weekends
- Outside school hours
That’s when parents and athletes are actively looking.
⭐️ Price to build momentum
Josh Dunkley: “Building your coaching brand takes time. Start with a price point that is achievable… so people understand the value of what you do and spread the word.”
You can always:
- Start lower, you can adjust pricing at any time
- Offer session packages with a discount to encourage athletes who want to do multiple sessions to have an incentive to book them in one block
- Offer 2-athlete sessions (great for siblings or teammates)
- Add an affordable squad or clinic option so it’s financially accessible for families to train with you regularly, and build momentum
- Add session types to offer different sessions such as team or larger groups
Lower friction = faster first bookings.
🤝 Word of mouth & Session Reviews are powerful
Jack Cogger: “Often if 1 player in a team has a good session with you, more players from the same team will book.”
Deliver one great session → unlock sessions through word of mouth, and reviews on the PlayBook website. Private coaching fills the gap team training can’t always provide.
Always ask how they feel the session went, take the feedback onboard so you’re delivering what the athlete values.
2️⃣ Respond Fast. Win More Bookings.
A lot of PlayBook customers are parents, and they are busy. Sometimes they’ll message multiple coaches. The first one to respond often gets the booking.
Tara Hinchliffe: “I try to respond to a query as soon as it comes in.”
Tips:
- Treat enquiries and bookings with priority
- Communicate clearly about your availability to find the right day and time quickly
- If you receive a booking that you can’t do, offer alternative times. Athletes are often flexible so transition the booking to a reschedule.
- Keep notifications on so you’re kept up to date and can respond in a timely manner
Speed + clarity = trust.
3️⃣ Run Sessions Athletes Love
A great coach balances skill development and connection.
As Paige Hadley says:
“A great coach strikes the balance between wanting kids to improve and becoming a genuine friend invested in their journey.”
Here’s how to nail it:
🎯 Understand the Goal
Ask both the parent and the athlete what they want to work on, or improve.
Sometimes they’re different.
Josh Dunkley: “The first thing I do is ask both the parents and athlete what they want to work on.”
When athletes feel heard, they buy in.
📝 Be Organised (but flexible)
Have:
- A session plan
- Core drills ready
- Progression + regression options
But, stay adaptable because every athlete learns differently.
“Always write down a session plan before the session, it doesn’t need to be fancy but writing something down will help you to confidently run out the session and ensure it all runs smoothly” Teagan Phillips.
👉 Start with Fundamentals
Use the first part to:
- Assess the basics
- Gauge ability
- Build confidence in the athlete, and trust with you as their coach
Then layer skill complexity from there.
🏅 Make It Fun (Game-Based Learning Wins)
Matt Renshaw loves weaving games into skill work:
“If they play a good defensive shot they get a point. If they play a bad one, I get a point.”
Gamify drills.
Finish on a competitive high.
Energy matters.
💪 Focus on Confidence
“The way I like to coach is to give kids confidence to trust themselves.” – Matt Renshaw
If they walk away smiling and believing in themselves, you’ve won.
Even if the technical improvement is small.
📵 Stay Present
No phone scrolling mid-session. Make every minute count.
Your energy and undivided attention are part of the value.
📚 As a Coach, keep learning
Follow:
- National Sporting Organisations and Coaching hubs like the Australian Sports Commission
- Hashtags relevant to your sport #netballcoaching
- Professional coaches
- National teams
As Paige Hadley says:
“You don’t start at the same level you’re going to be at for the rest of your life. You’ll grow and improve.”
It’s important to bring something fresh to keep athletes inspired to learn.
4️⃣ Encourage Rebookings (Build Momentum)
Continuing to bring value will learn to rebookings.
“It’s all about back-to-back sessions and putting little things into place over time.” – Sam Truloff
✔ Set clear next steps
At the end of each session:
- Highlight 3 things they did well
- Identify 1–2 skills to work on
- Suggest specific availability windows or a timeframe that would be good to train again
Make the follow-up feel like part of a plan.
🤝 Work with Parents
Give:
- Backyard drills
- Mindset advice
- Clear feedback
- Tips for what’s next for them – trials, first game, a position move etc
Athletes who feel informed, and part of a bigger plan → rebook. If you athlete is a junior after the session message the parents on PlayBook with an update so they know what the athlete will be working on at home and the goal for the next session, and a good timeframe to train again. Demonstrating your commitment to their learning and progress will highlight your professionalism.
🎯 Improve a Key Skill
As Matt Renshaw says:
“Improve on 1 thing they couldn’t do before.”
Visible progress builds belief. Also tell them how that technique has transformed during the session as they may not be able to see it themselves. Progress builds repeat sessions. Focusing on fundamental skills will mean they utilise those developed skills a lot during their game so it’s likely to have a big impact on how they feel, and play.
5️⃣ Manage Your Schedule Like a Pro
Elite athletes treat coaching like a commitment.
Tips from our coaches:
- Make your availability work for you: block out dedicated coaching afternoons
- Stack sessions together at the same location
- Have wet-weather backup plans
- Reschedule instead of cancelling where possible
- Offer sessions that maximise your time like Squads and Clinics
- Plans change? Communicate early
Consistency and reliability build your coaching brand.
6️⃣ Remember Why You Started
Jack Cogger shares: “Coaching has helped me become a better player because it reiterates the fundamentals.”
And Tara Hinchliffe: “I love the reviews from parents about their kids developing confidence and a love of the game.”
Private coaching isn’t just extra income.
It’s:
- Mentorship
- Impact
- Leadership
- Giving young athletes the experience you wish you had
As Sam Truloff puts it:
“I’m trying to be the best coach I can because I’ve experienced poor coaching in the past… and I want to give young cricketers the best experience possible.”
📌 Final Word
To blitz private coaching:
✔ Promote yourself
✔ Price smart
✔ Respond fast
✔ Deliver high value sessions
✔ Plan follow-ups
✔ Keep learning
✔ Lead with passion
There’s no “right” way to coach. But passion, commitment and expertise always shine through.
Let’s build confident athletes who love their sport — one session at a time.
