I have been coaching soccer in Vernon for eight years, since my son was four-years-old.
I am now a coach with Vernon United Boys but have coached both rep and house league.
I am speaking from a soccer point-of-view, but I am sure this also applies to other local youth sports.
It has always amazed me that while youth soccer is a very popular sport, there can be a shortage of coaching volunteers.
I get it, the idea of taking even more time from our busy lives to”‘herd cats” can be daunting.
But trust me, the coaches you see on the field have equally busy lives. Being involved with our youth is worth a little extra work, a little extra organizing, a little extra energy.
Remember how many coaches each of us had growing up? I am sure they had busy lives too.
What if they had not stepped up? How would our lives and sport experiences been effected without them?
We are blessed with an incredible team that runs Vernon youth soccer.
With very little experience, or even no experience, you can use a huge data base of various drills and exercises available online or directly from the co-ordinators to run your team.
They also run coaching clinics to get you ready before the spring season.
So much support from this group really helps make the experience a positive and less stressed one.
The sport aside, what a great opportunity to be involved with our local youth, stay fit, and show our own children the importance of community.
Don’t miss out, take a little chance and step up.
You will be surprised how easy and rewarding being a coach is and wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
Barry McIntosh
