Junior Coaching Courses Requirements

Junior Coaching Courses Requirements

I met Paul Greig a nice enough guy, he's the new Football Development Officer for Capital Football and he explained some of the initiatives that they are putting in place for the coming Junior season, some good in my opinion and some bloody crazy, first off, all junior coaches will now be called Game Day Co-ordinators, I'm not joking ! also there will be no points tables,because we don't want teams winning competitions and coaches will have to have a coaching qualification, I had previously heard of the coaching requirement and forwarded my coaching record to Capital Football, who refused me dispensation, my 30 years of coaching juniors at all levels, Club, Hutt Valley, Regional League, Rep teams and now JPL, has not given me the right tools to coach a side in the 11th grade next year, I must attend a 4 hour course, that of course is not cheap, and then my football credentials will be complete.
I was told by capital Football I had nothing to lose by taking the course, well they have something to lose and that's my continued involvement.
I personally have an aversion to courses and will reply to Capital Football and see if there new man will come and watch me run a training session with my team and will that suffice, if not I'll just hang up my boots and thats sad.

Laurie Sutherland

you talking about coaching for your club or for Feds?

Laurie, if the course was free or paid for elsewhere would you attend it? james dean2011-07-12 21:10:54

Agree JD.

There is nothing wrong with wanting coaches to be qualified.  Surely that is for the good of the game.  I certainly hope you don't think that you know everything there is to know about coaching kids.  Because even with 30 years experience, games/tactical/ coaching technique change and evolve over time.  I would have thought all coaches would want to find ways to improve their craft.

If it is a cost issue, then talk to your club.  Most clubs will pay for the fee. 

If it is a time factor, four hours is not overly demanding.
2ndBest2011-07-12 21:16:56

Isn't wonderful that from 2012, there will be no leagues to play for and soccer lovers will have to enjoy and run around week in and week out doing the nice stuff? Good thing is that this will eliminate the agony and pain over teams that lose. Somehow through the Hole of Soccer, quality players will emerge and pop up like mushrooms and be competitive internationally. Reality is that this will mean the beginning of the stone age that this new initiative will bring. Isn't it nice that we will all live in a soccer world of no failures, no competition and all will be with the soccer for life. What a black hole that is emerging!

There isn't streaming or results in rugby until kids are 13ish.  Seems to work for them.

There used to be, and that was when NZ won World Cups.

Kick and chase is a big part of soccer and these should be very handy in drop kicks for our oval code. 

The Coachiing requirements are for my Club feverish.

I have an aversion to courses, thats just me, courses of any kind, not just football, I am also getting on a bit, I use the better players in my squad to demonstrate drills at training and don't intend to put my ageing body on show at any coaching course.
I don't think I know everything, this season I have arranged for 2 All Whites to come up and run sessions for the team, Guys I have coached back in the day, and have arranged for other profile players in the coming weeks, I always watch and listen to other coaches and playersand have for 30 years.
I have no children or relations in my current side or any team I have coached for about 20 years, I do it because I love the game, I love the competition, I love the challenge and over the years had more than my share of success.
Sad way to finish up really.

Laurie Sutherland

Laurie, it is sad that you've chosen to bail simply because you've been required to gain a qualification. It is after all, for the benefit of the game and yourself. Yor're never too old too learn. If, as you say you are coaching for the love of the game and for the benefit of the kids you coach, then surely having this qualification will help them and you??? And besides it's four hours, with a bunch of like minded people....I reckon it would be awesome, and like others have said surely the clb would assit you with the fee?

It is very important that Junior Coach's are both accredited and evaluated. This should be an ongoing process of peer review, education and self analysis. If it is upsetting to be challenged in such a way throw it back on your players... do you test them? If so why are you (or whoever) exempt?

Coach's should also be aware that they are there to facilitate the childrens enjoyment and development primarily. The Coach's 'rewards' are secondary.  This is not to mean the coach is a door-mat.

My understanding is that there is 11th Grade competition in 2012. However 9th and 10th will not exist as we presently know them. This will obviously create tension between players/parents in 9th Grade this season who want the Saturday Competitive Game element. Obviously Wellington may have a different level of pick-up/integration to Christchurch.

Whilst it's fair to say my understanding of the entire WOFPlan is only surface deep and that the work I've seen of it is very 1 club specific I've quite enjoyed what I have witnessed and can see clear progression in some players (ages 7-8). I am 100% already seeing higher parent/junior coaching involvement. If this means greater volunteer pick up for clubs then WOFPlan = a big win. Last night I attended a course/seminar that seriously questioned several of my 'tried and trued' coaching methods. How I assimilate/digest/ignore this information may well have impacts on my junior charges.

Btw as the Father of 4 football playing children I'd be uncomfortable  with their coach being beyond the point of extending their own education. I certainly hope the players trained by me also do not think it's top down driven mantra.

I guess one of the problems is that clubs might run their own coach education programmes - designed to fit with their model. Then to be made to sit through an external one that might be teaching something quite different..

Teza2011-07-13 09:22:22

when given the choice does the customer;
A. go to the Doctor with no accreditation but who calls himself a Doctor
B. go to the Doctor with the PHD etc

I mention this because of the demand in this thread from certain pundits to see Professional Players at the end of the process.

depends if you want a holistic approach to your football

The other way for the theory modules to be presented would be via online learning and instructor led for the practical aspects. This would cut the cost of delivery and also allow the coaches to go at their own pace in regards to the learning, you would also reach a far larger number of people this way.. Teza2011-07-13 09:56:18

2ndBest2011-07-13 12:08:14

And to continue my spamming, have a look at www.cffootballdevelopment.sportingpulse.net
 for further information.

2ndBest - did you have anything to do with them not publishing results?

2ndbest is a small meat stuff. Why stop there? With teh stroke a pen, why not 1. stipulate coaches for kids soccer MUST obtain UEFA pro 3 licence, 2. players are told to kick the ball amongst themselves to increase the touches, 3. there will be no losses, 'cos there will be ALL winners.

what's a small meat stuff?

Its not only the course but also the lack of points in the competition, The Club has already offered to pay and I have turned them down, If you think it would be awesome well away you go, give me a ring after and I will tell you where a fairly handy team is that will need a new coach next year.

Sounds like you feel the point of coaching is to win leagues, rather than to develop players.

Its not a cost issue, the Club has offered to pay and I turned them down, Its simple, they demand I must do the course, I dont want to for reasons stated elsewhere on this thread, so I dont coach next year.

nice, trust when my boy is at the age to walk/run/play footy I'll be lining up to take the team, if at that point I need to gain certain qualifications I'll go get them.

Yep I've had a few bad experiences lets meet up and I will share one with you.