By Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
Over the winter period, a number of youth participation reports that are published each year come out. These reports show encouraging numbers for youth soccer. Within Eastern New York, we have every right to be encouraged with the kick-off of 2024 due to the huge number of coaches who have found the time within the last two years to become minimally licensed with a grassroots coaching license or comparable diploma.
All studies that have been carried out show an increase in player retention that coincides with coaches becoming more qualified. So I am hopeful that the Spring Season will be the start of a growth period for all clubs and leagues. I am acutely aware that for this hope to become a reality, we need all parents to support some of the key outcomes that should coincide with thousands of more educated coaches. These outcomes should include all below.
- A renewed dedication to the belief that development and fun should come before a win-at-all-costs mentality.
- A renewed and obvious desire to teach in a way that helps instill a lifelong love for sport and soccer.
- A focus on the fact that it is the players’ game and that they should be allowed to think and make decisions, both good and bad, without some adult who has never played shouting at them about what they should have done.
- A focus on attention to individual player development where they come home from practice and games excited by the effort their coach has made to help each individual player.
- Renewed and constant attempts where coaches work to foster positive parent engagement.
- Perhaps for the first time, a team who look like they have a game idea and style of play and all sing from the same song sheet.
Perhaps in the time between now and the Spring Season kicking off, parents can spend a moment reaching out to their child’s coach asking how they support the team this coming season?