BCA Spring Sports

1. BCA Spring Sports What is it all about? A guide for Coaches and Parents

2. Welcome and thank you for coming! • What we hope to achieve: • Introductions • History and philosophy of the Spring Sports program • What it takes to be a coach • Expectations of coaches, players and parents • Preparing for the season – communicating with your team, team managers • Coaching manuals • Background on True Sport and how it shapes the spring sports program • How to integrate True Sport values • Weather and cancellations • Year end events • Break into groups by sport and age for discussion, review of coaching manual, questions and sharing of ideas.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. BCA and True Sport • In May 2006 the BCA voted to adopt the principles of True Sport and took these steps: • 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. • 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. • Declared their commitment on truesport.ca • Applied for the Bell Community Award and was one of the top 5. • Hosted a True Sport station during the Volunteer Appreciation BBQ with a banner for all participants to sign. • Added a link to truesport.ca on its website

14. 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’sActive 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.

15. 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 athlete • 2009: Jason Dunkerly, Paralympic Runner • 2010: Caroline Calve, Olympic Snowboarder • 2011: Deidra Dionne, Canadian Aerial Ski team • 2012: Esther Akinsulie, World class sprinter • 2013: John Wright, Fencer; and Mike Kusiewicz, Canadian Olympic Baseball Team 2004 and Major League Player • 2014: TBD

16. 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: • 2009 – Esther Akinsulie – world class sprinter • 2010 - Laurel Johnson – Iron Man Triathlete • 2011 – Lindsay Cook – Baseball • 2012 – Samantha Klus – Triathlete • 2013 – Alec Jarvis - Triathlete

17. Tips on integrating True Sport Principles • There are suggestions in the coaching manual for introducing your team to True Sport; other ideas include: • Have your team sign a True Sport Declaration – include their parents as well. • Ask each child to research the True Sport Principles and share one of them with the team at the next game. • Quiz them on the principles and for each one they remember, they have to do 1 fewer lap/drill/etc.

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

19. Go For It! • Rise to the challenge – always strive for excellence. Discover how good you can be! • Recognize athletes that are working hard, not just athletes that score. • Have the team choose a player who they think tried the hardest that game • Encourage each athlete to play to the best of their ability

20. Play Fair • Play honestly – always obeying the letter and the spirit of the rules. Winning is only meaningful when competition is fair. • Make sure all players understand the rules and your expectations of them. • 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). • Talk about examples of fair play after each game or what could have been handled differently.

21. Respect Others • Show respect for everyone involved in creating your sporting experience, both on and off the field. Win with dignity, lose with grace. • Keep all cheering, discussion and comments positive – including those to the other team and their coaches • Cheer for the other team at the end of each game. • Shake hands with the other team’s players and coaches after each game; include positive words such as “good game” • Leave the field in cleaner condition than when you got there. • 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.

22. Keep It Fun • Find the joy of sport. Keep a positive attitude both on and off the field. • Try out some silly drills during practice time. • Give all players equal playing time and rotate them through the various positions on the field. • Encourage players to focus on their achievements and effort and not on the score. • Develop a team name and team cheer for before the game. • Cheer for your team at the end of the game. • Send encouraging emails to the players after each game.

23. Stay Healthy • Place physical and mental health above all other considerations – avoid unsafe activities. Respect your body and stay in shape. • Always do a warm up – let the children lead once they know what to do. • 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. • Serve healthy snacks at half time – juice or fruit • Teach safe practices – helmets for batters and runners, keep your eye on the ball, no contact for soccer (no slide tackles).

24. Include Everyone • Share sport with others. Ensure everyone has a place to play. • Use nametags for players and coaches. • For the first few weeks, gather in a circle before or during warm up and have each player and coach say their name. • Rotate partners for drills so that each player gets to know everyone on the team. • Give equal playing time and rotate positions • Parents – offer to help coaches with warm up or during the game.

25. Give Back • Find ways to show your appreciation for the community that supports your sport and makes it possible. • Leave the playing field cleaner than when you arrived. • Use team equipment properly and help the coaches gather equipment at the end of the game. • Teach your siblings and friends skills that you learned from your coaches. • Be a good citizen – don’t litter or damage other people’s property.

26. 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: • the City closes fields – we will send all coaches a note and post the information on our website and facebook page. • there is thunder and lightning - "If you can see it, flee it; if you can hear it, clear it." • playing on the field will damage it

27. Year End Events • At the final game of the year all players will receive: • a medal • a team photo • a certificate of participation • 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.

28. 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