And so it begins…

Getting involved in coaching is easy.  Anyone can do it.

Being a good coach however, is a completely different (and much more complicated) story.

Some may say that I take coaching too seriously. Coaching is teaching and yes, I take teaching very seriously. Combined with the responsibility that we all have to set good examples with our youth, I might ask, why don’t more coaches and take their position as a ‘Coach’ (mentor, teacher, role-model, parent, leader) MORE seriously?

It seems that far too many coaches are failing to realize that coaching is about the players (and in some cases – their sons and daughters) and not about their dream to coach an NFL football team (or any other professional sports team).

Then again, I have met many coaches who have a definite ‘player first’ attitude towards coaching.  They have learned to keep their own emotions out of the game and they constantly provide their players with patient instruction and positive reinforcement.  In a world of single parents and multiple jobs, these men and women who try their best to make a positive influence on our youth and society are the real heroes.

The other coaches who are only involved in sport for their own personal gratification (no joke – last week, one of the coaches in our league was overheard by an Official telling his players that they were “F#%$#@* Terrible!!”), need a serious slap upside the head.

The actions of these types of coaches undermine and insult everything that is good in coaching and I for one will not tolerate this level of behaviour.  I encourage you all to stand up and do the same.

Cheers
Coach James Ryan