Young Coaches Development Program
The aim of this program, within the Victoria Esquimalt Lacrosse Association, is to develop players 14 to 21 as coaches, providing players a means of giving back to the Association while gaining valuable experience in leadership, instructional technique and responsibility. The Association benefits by enriching the coaching staff and adding to the Association’s sustainability.
Coaching is a volunteer position. Young players who are in school will receive a letter of confirmation of volunteer hours to put towards their community service portfolio for high school graduation.
All coaches including Young Coaches are required to have a Criminal Record Check.
A Volunteer coordinator selected by the Executive will assist the Association Head Coach in providing this program. The division of program tasks will be mutually agreed upon.
Players entering second year Bantam and above will receive a letter of invitation to join the program and the VELA coaching team prior to the beginning of the season. This program will also be posted on the VELA Web Site. All interested participants will attend the first coaches meeting held in early February. They will complete a brief application and submit it to the Head Coach. The Program coordinator will open a file for each Young Coach and monitor the progress through a goal and achievements format, player and parent evaluations and Mentor coach recommendations. Young Coaches will provide their evaluation of the experience, which will be incorporated into an AGM report.
Selected participants will be assigned to a team and will become an integral part of the coaching staff for the team. Players who are 14-15 with no previous coaching experience will generally be assigned to the mini tyke and tyke divisions. Players 15-16 will work with the Novice teams. This is all within the developmental team structure. Players who are 17-19 may be assigned to competitive teams such as PeeWee or Bantam depending on previous experience and training. Junior aged players 20-21 may be assigned to PeeWee, Bantam or Midget.
Each Young Coach will write out a goal to be personally achieved during the season, a team goal, and a player development goal. These goals will be reported in a journal like format, which will serve to measure the accomplishments. The adult coaches will have an opportunity to comment on the progress of their Young Coach and make recommendations for the next year’s placement. There is a potential 7-year development period and some Young Coaches who volunteer for more than four years may find that they are recommended to take head coach positions of mini-tyke or tykes and some exceptional Young coaches may take on competitive level teams.
All Young Coaches will be equal participant in the development of the team’s skills, fitness and game play. They will be given specific tasks such as: creating the training plan, running the core fitness segments of the practice, running specific skill drills or working with particular aspects of the game play as directed by the head coach.
The Young Coaches will be on the bench and may work the door or assist in directing the play. All Young Coaches will lead by example by running with the team, by demonstrating skills, and always showing appropriate behavior in and out of the box.
All team head coaches will work with their Young Coaches as mentors and ensure that this is a positive experience. Adult coaches will be asked to mark off the days and events the Young Coach participates in, as this is required for letters of volunteer hour confirmation.
Most Young Coaches will be active players and are required to attend their own practices and games. Therefore perfect attendance to their coaching teams cannot be expected. All efforts will be made to schedule teams with Young coaches close to their coaching team to enhance participation. Many Young Coaches do not drive which can present a challenge for away games. Team head coaches and managers will make efforts to include the Young Coaches in carpooling and travel arrangements.
Training will be provided and paid by the Association. In return, the Young Coach will pledge a two-year commitment to participate as a coach. All coaching events such as symposiums or additional clinics will be available to the Young Coaches.
The program will be evaluated annually and a report presented at the AGM either by the Program Coordinator or the VELA Head Coach.
Program Journal
Name:
Season:
Team:
Team Size:
Head Coach:
Season Goals:
1.
Personal Goal (what do you want to achieve to become a good coach)
2.
Team Goal (what do you want your team to achieve that you can support
through your coaching activities)
3.
Player Development Goal (what do you want each player to achieve that you
can support through your coaching activities)
|
1. Personal
Goal |
2. Team Goal |
3.
Player Goal |
Record of
Participation
February
Date Attended
Number of Hours
Coaches meeting
Island Clinics
March
Fitness Evaluations
Skills Evaluations
Game Play Evaluations
Certification Course
Level
April
Week 1
Practice
Practice
Game
Other Activities
Week 2
Practice
Practice
Game
Other Activities
Week 3
Practice
Practice
Game
Other Activities
Week 4
Practice
Practice
Game
Other Activities
May
Date Attended
Number of Hours
Week 1
Practice
Practice
Game
Other Activities
Week 2
Practice
Practice
Game
Other Activities
Week 3
Practice
Practice
Game
Other Activities
Week 4
Practice
Practice
Game
Other Activities
Week 5
Practice
Practice
Game
Other Activities
June