While thinking about my blog, one topic keeps coming to mind. Coaching youth sports. I have
always been very involved in coaching, as my son has played soccer, basketball and baseball.
However, coaching youth is something I have been a part of, for a long time, prior to having
children. I am often asked the question, why I chose to coach different sports. There are
several reasons why I enjoy coaching, some more obvious than others.
Firstly, I appreciate the opportunity to be involved in my son's activities. Coaching is like
teaching. Life lessons are always being taught. Learning how to win, how to lose, and how to
be a team player. We learn how to work together for the purpose of one goal. Sometimes I
coach for the love of the game, and the chance to share that love and appreciation with others.
An unexpected outcome is sometimes learning ourselves, as coaches. Coaching requires
adaptation, as it's very fluid and always changing. This may require communicating with players
and/or parents, or making adjustments to the way we play as a team, or with other coaches.
Communication is ongoing, whether with participants or parents. Learning to be a more effective
communicator may result. Finally, coaching encourages us to find lifelong friendships, between
teammates and coaches, which can only be seen as positive.
As you can see, there are various reasons to coach youth in sports. Learning life lessons,
teaching life lessons, finding lasting friendships but perhaps most importantly, we having the
opportunity to make a difference in our children's lives.
