BCA Spring SportsWhat is it all about?A guide for Coaches and Parents

Welcome and thank you for coming! What we hope to achieve:1. Introductions2. History and philosophy of the Spring Sports program3. What it takes to be a coach4. Expectations of coaches, players and parents5. Preparing for the season – communicating with your team, team

managers6. Coaching manuals7. Background on True Sport and how it shapes the spring sports

program8. How to integrate True Sport values9. Weather and cancellations10. Year end events11. Break into groups by sport and age for discussion, review of

coaching manual, questions and sharing of ideas.

History of Spring Sports The Bridlewood Spring Sports program has been in

existence since about 1980. The first sports offered were soccer, softball and t-

ball. Because of our history, we are able to access

sports fields in early May where most groups must wait until May 15.

In 2010 we added Ultimate Frisbee for grades 7 and 8 and revised the JK Soccer program.

In 2013 we had 643 children on 56 teams. In 2014 we are introducing a new JK T-ball program.

Spring Sports Philosophy Provide children with a fun introduction to sport Non competitive environment focusing on learning

new skills and being physically active Opportunity for children to make new friends and for

parents to socialize Commitment to True Sport Values All games played on fields in Bridlewood May and June only – no summer commitment 1 evening per week including practice and game Volunteer run with low cost and family friendly pricing All funds collected are spent on the program

What qualifications do I need to coach? The most important quality a coach needs

is to enjoy working with children. The ability to encourage and organize

children is an asset. Availability for weekly practices and games Experience with the sport is helpful;

however, the coaching manual will provide rules, suggestions for warm up and drills and tips to help you teach the sport.

Expectations of the Coach Arrange for equipment pick up on Saturday, April 26. Communicate information to team regarding schedules,

location, expectations for both players and parents, etc. or arrange for team manager to do so.

Arrive on time for weekly practice with the equipment or designate someone to take your place for the warm up if you will be delayed.

Be prepared – plan the warm up, drills and game plan or delegate to your assistant coach or manager.

Explain and/or demonstrate skills, rules and positions to the team

Ensure all children have an equal opportunity to play and try out different positions.

Respect all participants including players and coaches from both teams.

Expectations of Players Arrive on time for practice with all necessary

equipment, proper footwear and water. No sandals or jewelry.

Respect all participants including players and coaches from both teams.

Pay attention to coaches or managers. Always be aware of what is happening on the field. When not actively on the field focus on the game,

encourage your teammates and use only positive comments.

Work with everyone on your team, not just your friends. Shake hands with opposing team after the game. Help the coach assemble all equipment after the game

and clean up after yourself.

Expectations of Parents Have child at the field on time and ready to play

every week. Assist coach in whatever capacity they need –

snacks, supervising children not on the field, with game, etc.

Ensure that your child is supervised at the field. If you cannot attend, please have another trusted adult supervise your child.

Communicate any absences to coach in advance whenever possible.

Respect all participants including players and coaches from both teams.

Team Managers and Assistants As a coach you will receive a team list including the tasks

for which parents have volunteered. Determine the help you would like to have and contact

the volunteers, or all parents, and explain what you would like them to do.

Team Managers can be helpful to handle communications, set up snack schedule, prepare rosters, supervise children when not on the field, etc.

Assistant coaches can help with warm up, bringing equipment to each game, supervising drills and practice and assisting on the field.

Don’t hesitate to call on parents to help as pitchers, catchers, base coaches, linemen, etc.

Coaching Manuals Information about the Spring Sports

program and True Sport. Sample communications with parents Rules of play appropriate for the age

and grade level Suggestions for warm ups and drills

What is True Sport? True Sport is a national Movement of

communities and groups across Canada working to ensure a positive, meaningful and enriching experience for all who participate in sport. The True Sport Movement is based on the belief that good sport can build lasting strengths in individuals, as well as healthy, vibrant communities and a more socially connected Canada. At the heart of True Sport are four core values: fairness, excellence, inclusion and fun.

So what does that mean to me as a coach or parent? The True Sport Principles provide a framework to

guide the sporting experience for our children. Reinforcing the principles, which many children

are also hearing about at school, will help make them a basis for all future sport and life experiences.

A positive sport experience for our children as all children participating in the program will have equal playing time and will be able to try out all positions with emphasis on having fun, learning new skills and doing their personal best.

BCA and True Sport In May 2006 the BCA voted to adopt the principles of True

Sport and took these steps:o Created a Sport Committee to oversee the implementation of

True Sport in the Spring Sports and Rink Committee as well as to develop further sport opportunities for our Community based on True Sport values.

o Implemented Respect in Sport in 2007 and included a True Sport kit for each coach. Also printed True Sport on all soccer balls, t-shirts and literature as well as provides a True Sport participation certificate at the end of the season.

o Declared their commitment on truesport.cao Applied for the Bell Community Award and was one of the top

5.o Hosted a True Sport station during the Volunteer Appreciation

BBQ with a banner for all participants to sign.o Added a link to truesport.ca on its website

History (cont’d) In May 2008, the BCA decided to more

formally declare its commitment by hosting a Play in the Park event in collaboration with Silken Laumann’s Active Kids Movement (SAM). In attendance were children from 3 Bridlewood Elementary Schools, Councillor Feltmate, Kanata Soccer Volunteers and True Sport. The BCA installed 3 street signs showing that Bridlewood is a True Sport Community.

History (cont’d) The True Sport Play Day has become an annual event

with children from all 7 elementary schools getting a chance to meet and learn about a guest athleteo 2009: Jason Dunkerly, Paralympic Runnero 2010: Caroline Calve, Olympic Snowboardero 2011: Deidra Dionne, Canadian Aerial Ski teamo 2012: Esther Akinsulie, World class sprintero 2013: John Wright, Fencer; and Mike Kusiewicz, Canadian Olympic Baseball Team 2004 and Major League Playero 2014: TBD

History (cont’d) In 2009, the Bridlewood Community

Association created the Paul Van Steen Sports Achievement Award to recognize Bridlewood athletes who demonstrate excellence in sport. The recipients are:o 2009 – Esther Akinsulie – world class sprintero 2010 - Laurel Johnson – Iron Man Triathleteo 2011 – Lindsay Cook – Baseballo 2012 – Samantha Klus – Triathleteo 2013 – Alec Jarvis - Triathlete

Tips on integrating True Sport Principles There are suggestions in the coaching

manual for introducing your team to True Sport; other ideas include:o Have your team sign a True Sport Declaration –

include their parents as well.o Ask each child to research the True Sport

Principles and share one of them with the team at the next game.

o Quiz them on the principles and for each one they remember, they have to do 1 fewer lap/drill/etc.

True Sport Principles Go For It Play Fair Respect Others Keep It Fun Stay Healthy Include Everyone Give Back

Go For It! Rise to the challenge – always strive for

excellence. Discover how good you can be!o Recognize athletes that are working hard,

not just athletes that score.o Have the team choose a player who they

think tried the hardest that gameo Encourage each athlete to play to the

best of their ability

Play Fair Play honestly – always obeying the letter and

the spirit of the rules. Winning is only meaningful when competition is fair.o Make sure all players understand the rules and

your expectations of them.o Reinforce good behaviour – tell athletes when

you see them exhibit this quality (giving the other team the ball when they kick it out of bounds, giving the tie to the runner, etc).

o Talk about examples of fair play after each game or what could have been handled differently.

Respect Others Show respect for everyone involved in creating your

sporting experience, both on and off the field. Win with dignity, lose with grace.o Keep all cheering, discussion and comments positive –

including those to the other team and their coacheso Cheer for the other team at the end of each game.o Shake hands with the other team’s players and coaches after

each game; include positive words such as “good game”o Leave the field in cleaner condition than when you got there.o Parents – take time to thank the coaches after each game

and encourage your children to write short thank you notes to them at the end of the season.

Keep It Fun Find the joy of sport. Keep a positive attitude both

on and off the field.o Try out some silly drills during practice time.o Give all players equal playing time and rotate them

through the various positions on the field.o Encourage players to focus on their achievements and

effort and not on the score.o Develop a team name and team cheer for before the

game.o Cheer for your team at the end of the game.o Send encouraging emails to the players after each

game.

Stay Healthy Place physical and mental health above all other

considerations – avoid unsafe activities. Respect your body and stay in shape.o Always do a warm up – let the children lead once they

know what to do.o Create an activity log and have children fill in any

physical activity they do outside of the game. Use stickers or small prizes as rewards.

o Serve healthy snacks at half time – juice or fruito Teach safe practices – helmets for batters and

runners, keep your eye on the ball, no contact for soccer (no slide tackles).

Include Everyone Share sport with others. Ensure everyone has a

place to play.o Use nametags for players and coaches.o For the first few weeks, gather in a circle before

or during warm up and have each player and coach say their name.

o Rotate partners for drills so that each player gets to know everyone on the team.

o Give equal playing time and rotate positionso Parents – offer to help coaches with warm up or

during the game.

Give Back Find ways to show your appreciation for the

community that supports your sport and makes it possible.o Leave the playing field cleaner than when you

arrived.o Use team equipment properly and help the

coaches gather equipment at the end of the game.o Teach your siblings and friends skills that you

learned from your coaches.o Be a good citizen – don’t litter or damage other

people’s property.

Cancellations We try not to cancel any sessions as there

are no make up dates available. Sessions will still go on in the event of rain

unless:o the City closes fields – we will send all

coaches a note and post the information on our website and facebook page.

o there is thunder and lightning - "If you can see it, flee it; if you can hear it, clear it."

o playing on the field will damage it

Year End Events At the final game of the year all players will

receive:o a medalo a team photoo a certificate of participationo pizza and drink

This year we have booked indoor locations for the pizza in case of inclement weather. More details will be provided closer to the end of the season.

Questions, Comments and Feedback Thank you for participating Any questions? Did you learn anything new? Was there information that was not

included that would have been helpful? Other comments or feedback