Lecturer Sport Coaching and Performance
Email address: jthie@cardiffmet.ac.uk
James has been a member of the
Cardiff School of Sport in a period spanning 3 decades; first, as an undergraduate student in 1997, before returning as a coach in 2008 and commencing his MA postgraduate studies in 2010. In 2011, he became a member of staff specialising in the practical performance side of the Athletics Module.
Between his studies, James has had a highly acclaimed career as a professional 1500m a athlete. With highlights including 4th Place finish at the 2004 World Indoor Championships, a finalist in the European Championships and he has represented Wales in two Commonwealth Games; Melbourne and Delhi. In 2014, James became a multiple World Masters Champion and is still regularly used as a major events and broadcasting commentator for the likes of The International Paralympic Committee and Eurosport.
The knowledge gained from his international career, has allowed James to establish an increasingly successful coaching group consisting of both current and alumni students. This group has gained recognition both nationally and internationally.
After 5 years specialising in competitions working as a Senior Manager for Welsh Athletics, with the last three of this alongside Cardiff Met, James is now a full-time member of staff using his NGB experience within the sport development modules. James is also Joint Module Leader on SSP4001 Introduction to Applied Principles and Techniques in Professional Practice.
Research / Publications
Publications
Athletics Weekly (January, 2013) ‘The demands on Indoor Running’ with Dr Matt Long.
Running Fitness Magazine (July, 2008) ‘Every dog has its day’.
Motiv8 Online (April, 2007) ‘Training Plan for beginners to Elites-5km to Marathon’
BMC New Official Journal of the British Milers Club– (Spring 2005) ‘James Thie Training’ Volume 4 Issue 1- p46-51
Teaching and Supervision
Currently joint Module Leader for SSP4001 Introduction to Applied Principles and Techniques in Professional Practice and also delivers on the Sport Development and the Athletics Performance modules.
Qualifications and Awards
Qualifications
B.S.c (Hons) Sport & Physical Education, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
MA. Sports Management and Leadership (final project in submission) Cardiff Metropolitan University
UKA Level 2 Athletics Endurance Coach
Mobillis Performance (UKA) Biomechanical Screening
Chapter 8 (Road Race management)
UKA Event Commentating
100% Me Tutor Training Programme
Awards
British Milers Club Coach of the Year: Runner-up (2013 & 2014)
Cardiff Metropolitan University Sports awards: ‘Principle’s Award’ (2014)
Made life time member of Cardiff AAC (2014) & Westbury Harriers (2010)
Cardiff Metropolitan University Sports awards ‘Coach of the year’ finalist (2012 & 2013)
Sport Cardiff – “Adults coach of the Year” Finalist (2010)
Frank Cartwell Award- “Contribution to Student Sports organisations” (2001)
External Links
Presentations & Workshops
BUCS Ambassador Speaker to Sheffield City Council (2013) ‘My Experience with University
Athletics’ at BUCS indoor Championships.
Lewis School (2013) ‘How Sport has shaped my life’.
BUCS Ambassador Speaker to London Olympic Organising committee (2012) ‘The Legacy of
University Sport at the Olympic Games’ at BUCS outdoor Championships.
RunBristol & Bristol Half marathon Work shop guest speaker (2009-2014).
Cardiff 10km (2009) MyMoti workshop leader.
KPMG Bermuda (2009) ‘Mile Master Class’, Workshop Organiser and Speaker .
Asthma UK (2008) ‘Kick Asthma day’- West Wales Camp, Guest speaker.
Saudi Aramco (2008) ‘Wellness Symposium’ guest speaker.
Sporting Championships- Schools Ambassador (2002-2005)
Consultancy work for the following:
Reebok UK
London Marathon
Nova International
Eurosport
Run Bristol
Brighton Marathon
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
British Athletics
Welsh Athletics
The International Paralympic Committee
School Games
Saudi Aramco
Dream team
KPMG
MiMoti
Sport / Coaching Profile
Performance
International Sponsored Athlete competing for GB & Wales
World Masters Indoor Champion 800m, 1500m & 3000m (2014)
World Indoor Championships 1500m finalist 4th (2004)
Commonwealth Games 1500m finalist 1500m 9th (2010) Semi-Final (2006)
European Indoor Championships finalist 6th (2005) & 9th (2007)
British Champion 1500m (2003) 3000m (2006)
- Current holder of 2 Indoor Welsh Records (Mile & 2000m)
Millrose Games (MSG, New York) Mile 2nd 2004
Sub 4 minute Miles on Track Indoors, Outdoors and Road
- Welsh Team Captain: Team Matches in 2006 & 2013
Cardiff Team Captain 2003-4/ 2008-2011
Cardiff Metropolitan University Athletics Team Captain 2001
Coaching performance
Selected as Part of the British Athletics staff for the 2015 European U23 Championships.
Self-Coached to World, European and Commonwealth Games finals.
11 athletes coached to National U20/U23 and Senior British Medallists (2 Australian National Medals)
Coached finalists to the 2011, World Student Games 1500m final and 2011, European U23’s Championships 5000m final.
Two athlete’s qualified for Glasgow (CWG) 2014.
Coached Multiple UK Senior medallists’ males & female from 1500m to Half Marathon.
5 athletes coached to Great Britain Internationals Honours
13 athletes coached to Home Country Internationals Honours (Scotland, Wales & England)
Coached 7 British University Championship Gold Medallists
35 athletes coached top 8 finishers in the British University Championships
Coached best University team placing at British Universities Cross-Country Championships – Bronze in 2014.
Equalled the best Universities team placing at British Universities Outdoor Track & Field Championships – 2nd in 2013 & 2014.
9 athletes mentored through to graduation and on to gain full MA scholarships to NCAA Division I & II Universities in the USA
Welsh Athletics Team leader, Mary Peters International 2013
Coached from Athletics Development Centres (ADC) levels to being a National Lead coach with Welsh Athletics (2009)
