How Gideon Tarus balances four coaching roles

The name Gideon Tarus is already a hit among volleyball fans.

Not only is he the driving force behind the powerful Wafalme Stars, but he also manages to successfully balance an astounding four coaching duties at once. Tarus coaches Wafalme Stars, General Service Unit (GSU), Newlight Schools in Eldoret, and GSU Elders where he also keeps his playing skills alive. He is also an officer attached to the unit.

What is even more inspiring about his story is that he is breaking down gender stereotypes in the world of sports, challenging the prevailing notion that multitasking is solely a feminine strength.

In an exclusive with Mozzart Sport, Tarus noted that he was defying all odds to make all the teams shine.

"I thank my bosses at my work station as they have allowed me to specialize in coaching. Once or twice a month, I put on my uniform and get to work, but mostly I am coaching. I love coaching GSU because they are friendly. I juggle easily because also train with GSU elders to maintain my fitness," he offered.

Tarus has achieved commendable feats with GSU, including a seven-year KVF men's national league dominance. The keen-to-detail tactician has won seven titles (2012, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022) with the paramilitary team. He has the KVF national league title and the East African title under his belt and will be hoping to decorate it with the African title as well.

He noted that his lowest moments are when he loses to any team in the league. GSU failed to defend their Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) National Men's League this year after losing to spirited Kenya Prisons. Their triumph ended GSU’s seven-year dominance as the Prisons toasted to their first league glory since 2016 after ending the round-robin playoffs on eight points.

"When a team stretches me to the fifth set or when I lose, it stresses me out. Anytime we suffer a loss, my players and I sit down, review our matches, and identify areas where we need to bounce back. I was defeated at the playoffs last season, took a month off, and when I went to Mosoriot. My mind is not settled anytime I win as well, I am always thinking of how to get better," he told Mozzart Sport.

Kipruto, Juma out of Wafalme Stars squad for CAVB Zone Five Africa Games qualifiers

In 2021, he was named the Wafalme head coach. He was tasked with preparing the team for the Africa Nations Championship in Rwanda. With less than 10 days of preparations for the bi-annual event, it was surprising to see the team pull off a historic win in the continental showpiece against Egypt.

The team will be looking to get back to the continental games for the first time since the 2011 finals held in Maputo, Mozambique where they clinched bronze. Since then, they have not registered good results. This time around, Tarus will be looking to make their efforts count.

"I want to maintain the high bar with GSU, help Wafalme Stars qualify and make history with them, and win at least one Africa Club Championship with GSU. That is giving me sleepless nights," he disclosed.

He advises players to avoid drugs and live clean lives to last longer in their playing careers.