Coaching, though it can be a thankless task, has the potential to be one of the most fulfilling jobs a person can undertake. Whether coaching an under-7 soccer team or a national hockey team, the impact a coach has on the lives of their players is significant.
Coaches have the position and ability to ignite a passion for sport. In doing so, they help to teach players leadership, confidence, and social responsibilities, along with the obvious healthy lifestyle habits attributed to sport. Because of this impact, coaches can be some of the most influential people a person can ever encounter.
Frequently stemming from a desire to give back to a sport that has given them so much, coaching is often a labour of love. The vast majority of coaches are volunteers. These men and women take time away from their families, other hobbies, and their paying jobs to spend time making their athletes better players and better people, usually without financial compensation.
Recruiting and retaining coaches can be difficult, whether it is for a school sport, a local house league, a club team, or at a higher level. It is even more difficult to recruit and retain female coaches. Female coaches are integral members of coaching staffs, but are frequently under-represented, even on girls teams. It has been shown that women and girls are more likely to remain in sport and physical activity if they have a role model they identify with.
That begs the question — what can be done to help develop and keep coaches, both young and old, male and female, in the game? There are a few things that organizations can do.
Partner new coaches with mentors. The two coaches may work directly together or the mentor may check in with the mentee occasionally, but the one-on-one support can be helpful.
Ensure the coach is able to focus on coaching. This means having others around to help manage the non-sport aspect of teams, including people like a team manager to help with gym times, book hotels for away games, and organize food. This allows the coach to put their full attention into planning and coaching practices and games.
Provide access to coaching clinics. An obstacle many potential volunteers face if the fear of being under-qualified for a coaching position. Coaching clinics, whether sport specific or not, help provide the new coaches with more tools to help them feel more confident while coaching. Access to coaching clinics could be done within an organization with other coach mentors, or a more formal coaching clinic.
Let the coaches know that they are appreciated. Many coaches end up leaving the game because they feel the time and effort they put into coaching goes unrecognized and unappreciated. Remember that these volunteer coaches don’t have to volunteer. Showing your thanks goes a long way. Many organizations will host a formal end of season appreciation night, but even a thank you card makes a big statement and helps to make your coaches feel valued.
Implementing some (or all!) of these practices into your organization can help add value to your program by increasing the success of your current coaches and encouraging others to coach.
To help encourage more girls and women to set foot in the coaching arena, FAME is partnering with the Alberta Sport Development Center to put on a Female Coaching Development Mentorship Program in the spring of 2019. The goal of this program in to help provide coaching tools to girls and women to increase their confidence and knowledge. This program is of benefit to both established coaches and to those who looking to begin coaching. Keep an eye out for the application date!
Dr. Katelyn Westerlund is a chiropractor with the Ridge Spine and Sport Center and a member of the Females in Action Moving and Empowering (FAME) Committee. She can be reached at kwesterlund@ridgespinesport.com.
