Some Things You Just Have To Do…..

 

 

I have lived in America for some 23 years and became a citizen 6 years ago. I am particularly proud to call New York home. As I look back on my childhood and time in America, I often reflect on the differences between the culture I was raised in and many of the things that have astounded me about my new home.

 

The majority of parents in New York have a genuine and irrepressible desire to do all they can for their kids. Two jobs, three jobs, loans, second mortgages’, and missed family vacations; the list of things done so that the next opportunity is there for "Kyle, Nick or Stephanie" is seemingly endless.

 

Not only have I been amazed at the efforts parents make I have also been perplexed by the amount of time that they are willing to give to ensure that each opportunity presented is also nurtured and guarded. Endless hours spent driving to practices, watching games and running the line each weekend. Countless hours spent doing never ending tasks, washing the uniforms, organizing the team dinner at the next tournament and who is bringing the first aid kit?

 

I fondly remember the days when the mention of a free soccer clinic meant you were never certain whether you would have enough equipment to cope. Many like the field of dreams; if we built it they would come. Sixty, eighty or even more, the numbers were amazing. As I look back on 23 years of providing coaching education in the form of clinics, presentations and courses it is apparent that something has changed. There is a disconnect. Something has changed, the fields are half empty.

 

The numbers of Clubs, and therefore parents who are willing to give their time to get a coaching education has dwindled. I am absolutely certain that the two points I make in my first three paragraphs above are true. I am equally certain of two things

 

1. Soccer is the world’s game and is indeed the beautiful game.

 

2. Players have a better time and enjoy their practices more when they have an educated coach who can run appropriate sessions.

 

So why the disconnect? Is it that parents no longer care about the experience and educational background of the person providing the training? Has the importance of getting educated somehow got lost? Has all the educational responsibility being passed to the trainer? Who is making sure the trainer has an effective coaching education and training philosophy?

 

The impact on the parent volunteer who attends a coaching course is typically an immense one. Doors are opened, new ways of doing things explored, ideas ignited and traditional laps, lines and lecture methods of teaching abolished. The change is nothing short of miraculous. The practical change in the coaching sessions they then offer are enormous. They go from poking around in the dark to playing with the lights on full beam.

 

ENYYSA have each candidate who attends any of our coaching licenses complete a survey providing feedback on the course. An incredible 100 percent of the last two E courses (44 people) all believed that the course should be mandatory for all the coaches within their league. All would recommend that every youth coach should have to take the E license.

 

Please do whatever you can to promote coaching education. Set yourself a goal of attending a course within the next 6 months and encourage your league to make sure all coaches within it receive some coaching education. All the games players including your child deserves the best the game has to offer. With the range of coaching programs we have to offer, from a 2.5 hour clinic to a 36 hour D license there is something for everyone.

 

Please feel free to email myself at Tim@enysoccer.com with any questions regarding ENYYSA coaching education programs.