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Should coaches be required to complete a certification training course before being put in charge of our kids, or not? POINT... "It's sad to think that maybe the only reason you're making coaches training mandatory is because it helps with insurance coverage. But let's face it, it is a consideration. Today some people are ready and willing to sue you."
by Larry Piekarz There is much talk about whether volunteer coaches should be trained, and I bet 99 out of 100 people agree they would like to see volunteer coaches trained. Ask how many think it should be mandatory and I would guess that number would drop. I have been asked to write about the "pros" of making coaches' training mandatory. Today there are some excellent coaches' training program, National Youth Sports Coaches Association and American Coaches Effectiveness Program, to name two. I am familiar with both and know that both are a positive addition to the volunteer coaches' abilities. Gone are the days when we got Johnny's dad to coach because he gets off work at 3:30 p.m., even though he may know nothing of the sport you just handed him. Parents want more than the dad who has played the sport the longest. They want someone who will work with your son or daughter and give them a positive learning experience. I personally find it refreshing to see parents starting to ask these questions. They are telling us that they are taking more interest in their child's welfare.
In most cases, a coaches' certification program is being asked for by the volunteer coaches. They also see the need and are willing to participate. So to make it mandatory would be easy. Both the parents and coaches would welcome it. By making it a requirement you are showing your community your commitment to the youth. If you are offering coaches' training but not making it mandatory, are you committed? It is like the story of the chicken and the pig. The chicken is involved with your breakfast, but the pig is committed. A second point of making the training of coaches mandatory is the terrible reason of insurance coverage. It is sad to think that maybe the only reason you are making coaches' training mandatory is because it helps with insurance coverage. But let's face it, it is a consideration. Today some people are ready and willing to sue you. In a court of law don't you think it would look good explaining to the jury about your mandatory coaches' training program? Let's go one step further, you are explaining your coaches' training program that is not your own, but one of a Nationally Recognized Association like the National Youth Sport Coaches Association, or American Coaches Effectiveness Program. Both NYSCA and ACEP have guidelines that must be followed, and are developed by experts in the different fields of study needed. Besides sports skills, these programs cover the other needs for today's youth such as sports psychology, first-aid, nutrition and more. The total well-being of the youth is being looked at. So, if you are going to make a coaches training program mandatory, make it one that will stand behind you.
...COUNTERPOINT "Parents want more than the dad who has played the sport the longest. They want someone who will work with your son or daughter and give them a positive learning experience." By Kevin Wallin In a recent quest to find an author for an article against mandatory volunteer coaching certification, I discovered that very few recreation professionals are willing to publicly support this view. That's understandable. I strongly support certification myself. A survey on youth athletics shows the number one reason for children dropping out of youth athletics was that there was too much emphasis on winning and not enough on learning the sport and having fun. If coaches are trained in the philosophy that this is a learning experience and not merely competition, a fundamental lesson has been communicated. But if only a few coaches are trained in this philosophy, children will lose out on the way. I'm sure that no coach would ever say that he's intentionally spoiling the experience for a child. But that is what he may do if he does not allow every child the chance to participate and grow. In today's mass media blitz, winning has become emphasized and learning how to win is ignored. Children are quick to pick up on adult attitudes, even nonverbal ones. Not allowing a child who is marginally skilled to play gives the message "I'm no good. They don't want me on the team." Mandatory coaching certification assures us that coaches have been educated to one standard philosophy and goals.
Nevertheless, there are some arguments against mandatory certification that need to be examined. Let's look at them. Argument #1: It is too difficult to recruit volunteers if there is a mandatory certification requirement.
This is by far the most common argument in opposing mandatory certification. It implies that coaches are unwilling to dedicate the time to become certified. "The truth of the matter is that most volunteers want to do a good job and get as much knowledge as they possibly can," emphasizes Mike Pfahl, Executive Director of the National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA). The certification program sets parameters for the league, and the guidelines of the American Coaches Effectiveness Program (ACEP) and NYSCA help establish league standards. Therefore parents can be assured that certified volunteer coaches will deal with children in a consistent matter. In addition, certification reduces attrition of volunteer coaches while weeding out those who are unqualified. In the past, mom or dad may have been apprehensive about becoming a coach. Now they know that certification will give them the knowledge they need to coach competently. Furthermore, the certification clinician can be a valuable resource in assisting volunteers. Argument #2: The veteran coach, or professional recreation/physical education instructor should not have to be certified.
The third and last reason for mandatory coaches' training that I will discuss in this article is the reason for controlling your programs. How many of us said at the beginning of a season, "Oh now. Here comes Mr. Smith to coach again," and not been able to do anything about it? By having a coaches' certification program, the coaches must sign a Code of Ethics. That Code of Ethics is then on file and if the coaches refuse to follow it you have solid ground on which to dismiss their services. I know a lot of you are saying, "But I can't get enough coaches now." Maybe it's because you don't train your coaches. Some people feel they just don't know enough to lead a group of kids. If there is a coaches' training program, you give that parent the knowledge and confidence to coach that team. Coaching can be a very rewarding experience for both the coach and the kids. Don't leave it to chance by not making coaches' training mandatory. Check out worthwhile associations like NYSCA and ACEP. Find one that fits your needs and go with it. On the contrary, veteran coaches should be strongly encouraged to obtain certification so that they can be used as valuable resources for other coaches. A dialogue can be established between the new coach and the veteran coach who can share knowledge gained through experience and point out pitfalls to be avoided. I have had several veteran coaches admit that they thought the clinic would be a waste of time, but they found the review helpful. Argument #3: The staff time involved in certification is too much for them to handle. The issue of staff time is also a matter of time management. "I would much rather dedicate six hours of front-end time than rear-end time," points out Pfahl. "The league develops a pro-active attitude rather than a re-active attitude. Fewer problems occur because those involved have already been informed of the guidelines, and they have clear cut standards to follow. (A time-saving idea is to recruit skilled, previously-certified volunteers to conduct certification clinics and assist the professionals.) Argument #4: The fee is too much. There are numerous ways to go about covering the fee. Be creative. Some ideas include: 1. Incorporating the coaches' certification fee into the child's registration. 2. Asking the league teams' sponsors to pay the coaches' certification fee. This is also a practical publicity move. 3. Budgeting the money into the league. Many municipalities and park districts already do this. 4. Conducting fundraisers. This is one way to involve parents who support the program but can't make the time commitment to coach. It also acts as publicity for the program by making more people aware of it. 5. Asking the local adult sports association to absorb the certification fee. The Evanston Sports Association (ESA) is composed of adults who sponsor leagues and provide scholarships for sports related activities. The ESA budget's primary source of funds is adult league fees and bequests. Finally, all these arguments seem insignficant when you consider the beneficial effect of mandatory certification for young athletes. Are they worth the extra effort? You bet. No one loses when we properly train and certify our volunteer coaches.
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