Warren Buffet might not know soccer, but when he said, "Tell me
your heroes and I'll tell you how your life will end up", he was onto
something. When it comes to coaching, everyone wants a say but few are
willing to turn their words into action and take a team... even under
8's which is where yours truly started. How can You enjoy coaching
soccer?
Let me count the ways:
1. Coach your kids and you
get to spend more time with them at something you can help them have fun
at AND enjoy mastering new skills.
2. Coaching young people of
any age gives you the opportunity to have a massive and important
influence on the future of your community and country! This is not just
talk. Ask any adult who has played sport for a while and there is a good
chance the had great people who were their coaches.
3. You will
be remembered for all the right reasons and kids will copy your example.
There are no less than 3 great coaches I remember until I left town at
17. Mr Nicolas (Fatherly man who really cared and It was much
appreciate) Mr Edgar (fantastic accent I still haven't mastered but he
was fair and encouraging), and lastly Bobby "Feed the Bear" Mutter (A
burly Scotsman whose belief in me propelled my confidence sky high, I
can still hear him call, "Who's the boss Richard? Show him who's the
boss!"
4. You get to develop skills in something you have a passion for and coaching soccer skills is full of challenge and rewards.
5.
Get a life! No longer wandering the streets looking for something or
sitting in front of the TV, rock up to your local soccer club or school
and I'm sure there will be opportunities to add a new dimension to your
life and the lives of others.
6. Build contacts in your community
and neighborhood. If you coach kids they have parents and they have
lives too that may provide a way to help you with something in your
life.
7. Leadership, responsibility, and commitment all have their own rewards and these are abundant when you coach soccer.
8.
If you are a player in a club you get praise from members in the club,
you get on the "in" with the other coaches in case you wanted to advance
a career in this way, and you get some equipment to use whenever you
want to improve your own game.
9. It will add to your
attractiveness to employers as coaching soccer or any sport, shows the
attributes above. These are easily re-worded to suit the job type. E.g.
Active Member of my Community. It shows commitment, reliability,
purpose, and that you can get out of bed in the morning.
10.
Personal satisfaction. Winning your competition, one game, or having
kept a bunch of people happy and off the streets. Plus you are involved
doing what you love, Soccer (sport). I once coached soccer at a local
high school and these young boys (11 and 12 yrs) came to class with
short black pen marked on the top of their wrists and hands... "What is
that for?", I asked, "We're you" they said! Never under estimate your
power. There are many coaching videos, courses (often run by your local
Soccer Club), books and other coaches to help you. A good way to start
is to support the coach, be a manager, or gear minder person and learn
that way. Showing up to practices to help is also useful.
Coaching
soccer is a full on commitment that reflects everything the Real
Madrid's and Manchester United coaches experience (except the money and
chance off being replaced if you lose!) So enjoy the rush of excitement
and adrenaline that coaching gives on matchday.
(PS. Look up
soccer club directory online in the search box or thumb through your
phonebook to find a club near you.) Get out there coaching soccer and
make a difference and remember, if you are there for the game or kids...
you have already won.
By Richard Kerr-Bell Copyright 2004
About The Author
Richard Kerr-Bell has played soccer for 32 years and coached for 12. He currently coaches at the Academy of Sport for the Otago Polytechnic. All items can be copied as long as the author and contact/web details are added.
About The Author
Richard Kerr-Bell has played soccer for 32 years and coached for 12. He currently coaches at the Academy of Sport for the Otago Polytechnic. All items can be copied as long as the author and contact/web details are added.
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