Making Use of Volunteer Hockey Coaches
Although I just raised a certain question with my thousands of social media friends — to see how they feel about this topic, the question isn’t new to me. Naw, I’ve been asked the very same thing by others at least a couple of times each year.
There is, however, a reason why I’ve chosen to tackle this subject at this specific time. For, you see, that burning question hit my inbox twice in just the last few days.
My long-time friend Jill Messaged me on Facebook with this one…
I’ve got a friend… who’s struggling to find a U10 Girls team that she can coach. She is a hockey and soccer player (and outstanding at both), has decades of experience coaching, is really smart, is a great parent, and has two 10 year old girls who play hockey. She’s looking for an opportunity where she can coach her girls in a league relatively close to where she lives… Do you have any thoughts or ideas I could pass along to her?”
I’m going to hold on the rest of that note from Jill, mainly because it should prove useful a little later.
A few days later, I received the following email from Tim, a long-time CoachChic.com member, this pretty much mirroring Jill’s question…
I enjoy teaching and am told I am rather good at it. My day job consists of training and supporting software users. And as I mentioned previously, I have been a ski instructor… Well, I thought I would like to learn more about coaching (hockey). So, this past Saturday I attended a USA Hockey Level 1 coaching clinic. Now, I have no illusions that I would automatically become a coaching expert. Far from it. But, I like to do things in a progressive, methodical way. Having completed the coaching clinic, I contacted our local hockey director, letting him know that should any of the house Mite team coaches need some assistance during practices, that I would like to make myself available. His reply was nice enough, but essentially said “Thanks, but we have all the help we need”.
Now, I’d like you to read the following, and tell me if it doesn’t suggest real sincerity on Tim’s part. In fact, I think he’s a lot more understanding than I’d be…
And this could indeed be true (that they have all the help they need). I suspect many Dads help. And hockey is just starting, so the head coaches probably have already made their plans. So, I replied back, asking him not to forget me if they are shorthanded at some point during the season.
All I could do was shake my head — in response to both Jill’s and Tim’s plaints. And as I suggested in my response back to Tim, my fingers were getting itchy and I was sensing a need to write a flaming sort of blog post. (What else could I do? Most states currently have gun laws! Grrrrrr…)
Taking a deep breath, I instead posted this topic on both Twitter and Facebook, in hopes someone would make better sense of all this. Verbatim, here’s how it looked:
What do you think about new #hockey coaches
being turned down as helpers by local youth programs? ???
… I can understand why some clubs turn away coaches with little or no experience if they have children on the team. Second I think… (it should be made) mandatory that any coach who wants to get involved must be an assistant coach first and be taught by an experienced head coach. I could go on for hours but that is my first thoughts on the topic…”
Robert goes on a little later during our exchange…
… I only know of one coach this year at my club that was turned away and it was because of some issues he had as a parent. He was disciplined as a parent from the Board last year for conduct in the stands during games.
Going along with Robert’s thoughts — when it comes to new coaches initially needing to be assistants, my long-time California buddy, Mike, states…
I think new coaches who are USAH certified should be able to help out with youth programs. They need to be mentored. I think that’s very important.
There are no flies on my Florida friend, John D, who actually echoes something I’d been thinking all along…
What (expletive deleted) turns down free, quality help??? seems like someone is afraid that a volunteer would steal their thunder, or worse… *gasp* actually impart some knowledge!!!! *the horror*… Tell whomever is turning down help to (more deleted), put their pride aside, and accept a freebie!!!!
John K is from New Jersey, and he’s right on board with all the recent opinions…
I think that’s crazy (turning away volunteers). Sure, you don’t “give” a new person a team and then leave him alone on an island, as much for the kids’ sakes as the coach’s. But we have to encourage and develop new coaches (and referees!) in the same way we do with players. There’s only so long us old guys can keep going and if we don’t develop new guys to replace us, then there will be no game left. The way we should develop coaches is to get interested parties involved by helping with teams or learn-to-skate or whatever…
By getting them involved under our direct supervision and guidance, we not only can help give them the tools and put them in a position to succeed, but we can also evaluate them easier and weed out the ones who don’t belong with kids in the capacity of a coach.
Kyle Mac is a young coach in New Brunswick, Canada, and he contacted me through a series of Twitter Direct Messages…
Hockey would not be where it is today if it weren’t for growth and progression at the grassroots and minor hockey levels.
It is appalling to think that there are well intentioned enthusiastic volunteers not getting the opportunity to contribute toward continual positive experiences for young players.
Where I live that isn’t the case. Hockey New Brunswick and KVMHA have made so many opportunities to enhance my coaching resume available. It is impossible to grow our game with elitist views!
This issue maybe more prevalent in areas where minor hockey is stronger.
Now, I said earlier that I was holding back on the rest of Jill’s Message, and I did that because I believe it’s a good way to wind down this topic…
I think she (Jill’s friend) is feeling boxed out by an “old boys” attitude and an inability of these guys to bring in someone different from themselves with new ideas.
Ha! I’m with Jill’s friend, in thinking she IS being “boxed out” by the “good old boys”. Hey, the guys currently coaching want to coach their own kids, whether they’re good coaches or not.
I went on to suggest that Jill have her friend look into other programs. I just have to believe in my heart that some organization will know better than to turn down help. And, while it may not be fair of me to say this, I suggested she look into so-called AAA programs rather than town based ones. There’s just a different mentality, as I see it, with quality of the program taking far greater significance than with the basically parent run organizations.
Just so you know, I’ve advertised for months for a young guy who might like to act as my assistant. And I’ve promised I’d be willing to share as much as I’ve learned over 40-years on the bench. Ya, I’m dying for good help. Of course, my motives are much different than those who turn potential helpers away — I sincerely want the help, and I also want more for my kids. Nor does a bright young guy frighten me. One of my long ago assistants now works on an NHL bench, and I couldn’t be prouder.
Lastly, if this post should fall upon the screen of a youth hockey program director — and especially one who is in the habit of turning away potential new coaches, I hope you’ll listen to the others who have spoken here. They’re from all levels of the game, and from across the US and Canada. I also happen to know they range in ages, from pretty young to older and very experienced. More than anything, I’m hoping folks will set aside pettiness or shortsightness, and look at the bigger picture. Personally, I’d like to think that hockey in my area will be better for my having toiled here. Which has me ending with the words from one of the youngest contributors…
It is impossible to grow our game with elitist views!
