Serving the team

National women's volleyball head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai takes his responsibilities far beyond the call of duty ? to him the team is family.

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Serving the team

Yvonne Bohwongprasert

National women's volleyball head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai takes his responsibilities far beyond the call of duty – to him the team is family.

His long-term vision for the progressive development of volleyball in Thailand and attention to detail in managing people have contributed to making the present team the most successful in decades: they are ranked fourth on the World Grand Prix Circuit and 12th on the official volleyball world ranking.

Apart from teaching them the tricks of the trade, Kiattipong, who is popularly known as Coach Aod, has also played an intense role in the lives of his players since he took them under his wing as a bunch of hyperactive pre-teens more than 15 years ago. Being a disciplinarian might not always make him popular with the players, but when it comes to their emotional needs, they know they can count on him to lend an ear.

At 183cm tall, his larger-than-life presence commands a mix of respect and awe from the women. He might work the team to a pulp during training, but afterwards they chill out and play around like friends and family members.

"Working with 18 women with varying personalities and mood swings is challenging," said Kiattipong, breaking into a huge grin.

"The girls go through various stages of physical and emotional change as they grow older.

"It is my responsibility to keep abreast of how to support them best during difficult moments. Having studied sports psychology, I find activities outside their training to keep them in good spirits."

When Kiattipong says he works the team hard, he means it. His charges follow a regimental training schedule six days a week, with physically demanding work-outs that span at least six hours. Training activities are geared towards working as a unit, he said. To be able to wear the national colours, he has taught them to prove their mettle. "If you're not up to the task, don't bother to waste your time," he tells them.

While the players have self-discipline, they can be young and restless, making it important for him to guide them. His concern for their future made him spearhead efforts to open opportunities for them to play for volleyball clubs outside of Thailand in their off season.

Some of the athletes who have been with the national squad for a decade have saved 10 million baht. He said many had used part of their income to support their siblings through school, build houses for their parents and also begin small businesses for relatives. He teaches them to spend their money wisely.

You can read the full, much longer story here: http://bit.ly/NjATnM

responsibility – a duty ความรับผิดชอบ
beyond the call of duty – doing more than is necessary, especially to help someone
vision – the ability to imagine how a country, society, industry, etc. could develop in the future and to plan in a suitable way วิสัยทัศน์
attention to detail – being very careful and considering even the smallest details; meticulous พิถีพิถันมาก
contribute – to be a part of a group or an activity and help it to be successful สนับสนุน
decade – a period of ten years ทศวรรษ, ระยะเวลา 10 ปี
rank – to put someone or something into a position according to their success, importance, size etc จัดลำดับ
circuit – a series of games or matches in which the same players regularly take part, often under the authority of a group or organisation สมาคมกีฬา
tricks of the trade – special techniques used for a particular type of work
intense – very strong แรง, เข้มข้น
role – the position or purpose that someone or something has in a situation, organisation, society or relationship บทบาท
take under your wing – to take care of and help somebody who has less experience of something than you
bunch –  a group of people กลุ่ม
hyperactive – too active and only able to keep quiet and still for short periods ซึ่งกระทำมากเกินไป
disciplinarian – a person who believes in using rules and punishments for controlling people ผู้ยึดถือระเบียบวินัยอย่างเคร่งครัด
emotional – related to strong feeling such as anger or love, or strong feelings in general  อารมณ์
count on – to trust somebody to do something or to be sure that something will happen พึ่งพา, ไว้วางใจใน
lend an ear – to listen to someone, especially someone who has a problem to discuss ฟัง, รับฟัง
presence – the quality of making a strong impression on other people by the way you talk or behave การประพฤติตัว, กิริยาท่าทาง
command – to deserve and get something because of the special qualities you have ควรได้รับ
respect – a feeling of admiration that you have for someone because of their personal qualities, their achievements, or their status, and that you show by treating them in a polite and kind way ความเคารพ, ความนับถือ
awe – feelings of respect and slight fear; feelings of being very impressed by something/somebody ความน่าเกรงขาม, ความกลัวเกรง
pulp – a soft wet substance that is made especially by crushing something เนื้อเยื่อในที่นิ่มและมีของเหลวมา
work to a pulp – to cause someone to work extremely hard
chill out – to spend time relaxing; to relax and stop feeling angry or nervous about something  เงียบลง , สงบลง
vary – to be different in different situations  ปรวนแปร, เปลี่ยนแปลง, แตกต่าง
personality – the part of a person that makes them behave in a particular way in social situations, e.g., in friendly or unfriendly way, or in a confident or shy way บุคลิกลักษณะ  ลักษณะเฉพาะตน
mood – the way you feel at a particular time อารมณ์
mood swings – changes in mood, especially big changes การเปลี่ยนแปลงทางอารมณ์
challenging – difficult, in a way that tests your ability or determination ที่ท้าทายความสามารถ
grin – smiling showing your teeth ยิ้มยิงฟัน, ยิงฟันยิ้ม
stage – a particular point in time during a process or set of events ระยะเวลา ช่วงเวลา
physical – connected with a person's body เกี่ยวกับร่างกาย
keep abreast of – to make sure you know all the recent and most important information about something ติดตามสถานการณ์
psychology – the ability to understand the way that people think, that helps you to make people do what you want จิตวิทยา
charge – someone that you are responsible for and take care of
regimental (or regimented) – organised and controlled by strict rules ซึ่งมีระเบียบวินัยเคร่งครัด
demanding – needing a lot of skill, patience, effort, etc. ต้องการความสามารถและความอดทนความพยายาม
span – to take a certain amount of time ใช้เวลา
gear toward – to prepare yourself, or to prepare something for an activity or event  เตรียม ให้พร้อมสำหรับ
unit – a group of people who work or live together, especially for a particular purpose หน่วย,กอง,กลุ่ม
mettle – the determination and ability to deal with problems and difficult situations  ความมีน้ำใจ,น้ำใสใจคอ,ความกล้าหาญ
task – something that you have to do หน้าที่; ภารกิจ
discipline – the ability to control your actions  วินัย  
restless – unable to stay still or be happy where you are, because you are bored or need a change กระสับกระส่าย, กระวนกระวาย
concern – a worry ความกังวล
spearhead – to begin an activity or lead an activity นำหน้า
opportunity – a chance to do something, or a situation in which it is easy for you to do something  โอกาส
athlete – someone who is good at sports and takes part in sports competitions นักกีฬา
squad – a team in sports from which the players for a match are chosen ทีม
decade – a period of ten years ทศวรรษ, ระยะเวลา 10 ปี
income – money that someone gets from working or from investing money รายได้
sibling – a brother or sister พี่น้อง
relative – a member of your family ญาติพี่น้อง