SNS Newsletter March by Mike Whyatt

ISSUE 4 March 2015

IN THIS ISSUE Soccer Nova Scotia Best Practice PAGE 1 Dangers of Social Media PAGE 2 Club under the Spotlight - Storm Soccer Club PAGE 3 & 4 Coach Interview - CJ Young (Halifax County) PAGE 5 Learning to Train - Best Practice PAGE 6 Player Interview - Beatrice Currie PAGE 7

Soccer Nova Scotia Best Practice

Welcome Thanks for taking the time to read the SNS newsletter. This is the best place to stay up to date with all the latest initiatives and programs related to SNS. We have launched the revised Best Practice Resource (electronically), which attempts to offer some consistency throughout Nova Scotia when it comes to the grassroots mini programs. In addition, we are looking at travelling to each region and launching it in person-keep a look out for those dates, in order to attend and ask questions and see the changes in person. If you have questions related to soccer in Nova Scotia please contact me at coach@soccerns.ns.ca

Mike Whyatt Director of Coaching

The Best Practice Resource Manual for U4-U12 has been released electronically and will be issued to each club in Nova Scotia early May, 2015. When devising this Best Practices resource for Nova Scotia Clubs we used the CSA’s Club Development Model as a framework. The aim is for clubs to look at this document and strive to meet the standards set by the LTPD model. We wanted to make it as simple as possible for clubs to follow and implement. The goal is to have everyone in Canada and everyone in Nova Scotia on the same page, i.e, an under 8 recreational program in Tatamgouche should operate the same as one in Dartmouth. There is some terminology that may be new and require extra videos, handouts, sample sessions, and/or time with staﬀ coaches of appropriate age groups.

Looking at this model will also provide an opportunity for our member clubs and districts to evaluate what they are currently oﬀering to their members on an annual basis, adapt the programs to suit the development of the game, (or modify areas where things could be done better) and continue building aspects of clubs for improved future development of programs, players and coaches.

Download your copy of the Best Practice Here

Dangers of Social Media How do I establish boundaries with my players?

Soccer Nova Scotia Provincial B Coaching Course Soccer Nova Scotia’s Technical Department is pleased to be oﬀering the Provincial B Coaching Course. For the first year ever, the course will be oﬀered in two components:

Theory online through the month of April followed with

Three on-field sessions during May 16th-18th.

Information & Cost Fee $500

This fee includes kit, lunch, online access, course materials & assessment

Maximum number 20 Candidates cannot attend field sessions without successfully completing the online theory content.

You’re checking your email when suddenly, a Facebook friend request from an athlete pops up in your inbox. On one hand, you’ve friended a few other athletes to make it easier to coordinate travel to competition. On the other hand, however, this athlete is a minor. Do you friend the athlete or leave him or her in your friend queue and make up some excuse about how you don’t go on Facebook anymore? Or maybe you throw your computer out the window and never look back?

Concern With the boom of social media and the now popular contemporary method of communicating with peers and coaches, it is important to establish clear boundaries and understand the risks you have as a role model to the next generation of youth.

• What is your coaching pedagogy? Do you want to be seen as your athletes’ friend? How does social media impact your ability to be seen as an authority figure? Is it important to you to keep your coaching persona active in all interactions with your athletes?

• What are your reasons for interacting with the athlete via social media? Do you want to check up on your athletes or coordinate logistics through Facebook messenger?

Setting boundaries with your athletes on social media can be awkward, but it doesn’t have to be. To avoid hurt feelings, it’s important to address the issue head on long before that first friend request reaches your inbox. The decision of whether to interact with your athletes on social media is a personal one, but is contingent upon the following factors:

• How old are your athletes? Most experts in risk management recommend that coaches do not interact with minor athletes on social media. If you do, make sure to keep all communication public and only use group chats (rather than oneon-one messages).

Of the four options, the least-used one is creating distinct social media profiles for your professional career. Doing so, however, is often an elegant solution, since it allows you to extend your coaching persona to the virtual space and creates a strong distinction between your private and personal life. Which option you choose is entirely a personal choice. As long as you are consistent and communicate your choice in advance to your athletes, you will avoid hurt feelings or accusations to favouritism.

Storm Soccer Club (Established 2010) currently has 300 members across U6 to seniors.

Storm Soccer Club www.stormsoccerclub.com Club age: Currently in our 5th year, started in November 2010. Members: Dartmouth, Cole Harbour and surrounding areas. Storm Soccer is a not-for-profit club, managed by a dedicated volunteer executive. Each season, our program fees are among the lowest in the region, as we want soccer to be as accessible as possible to all the youth in our area. All of our volunteer coaches are certified and are passionate, knowledgeable, and come from a host of countries; Brazil, England, Lebanon, Ireland, Scotland and of course, Canada! Members: 300 players, from U6 to senior age. We have three Senior Women’s teams (Storm Stikers, Storm Propellors, and the Storm Conquerers), as well as a Senior Masters Men’s team.

Club Under the Spotlight - Part 1 Storm Soccer Club is a not-forprofit soccer club based in Dartmouth, NS. It was formed in November 2010, and is managed by a 14 person board of hard working volunteers. We have winter & summer programs for both boys and girls from Minis (age 6) to U18, utilising local community centres, school fields and, in winter, indoor turf facilities. In just five short years, we are proud to say Storm has flourished rapidly from a fledgling new group to become a club of 250 youth, with a team of dedicated and certified coaches, and countless volunteers.

Since its inception, Storm’s main objective has been to provide inexpensive and accessible soccer practices open to all children. For that reason, we try to involve the entire club in fund raising activities that allow us to both keep our fees low and also build a sense of camaraderie and community within the Club.

Our technical focus is on learning to play the game ‘the right way’ and, most importantly, for that learning experience to be fun. Through learning and applying individual skills and appropriate team tactics players can perform at their highest potential. This is always more important than the results of games. This philosophy is used at all levels of the club from minis and house teams to our Tier 2A teams.

We are looking forward to our 2015 Summer Season, which has exciting developments on the horizon. Storm has traditionally relied exclusively on volunteer coaches, but growth experienced in the number of registered players, and therefore teams, now necessitates the appointment of a part-time staﬀ coach to assist with the Club’s development of the ‘Mini’ Program (U6 & U8). This Mini Staﬀ Coach will both supervise and

Storm Soccer Club Vision: Storm Soccer strives to provide all of our members with the same standard of affordable, fun, quality soccer programming, delivered by certified coaches in an inclusive environment regardless of age or level of play. Our soccer programs are designed to promote a fun and energetic style of play, enabling each child to reach their full potential in the sport.Our soccer programs are designed to promote a fun and energetic style of play, enabling each child to reach their full potential in the sport.Our soccer programs are designed to promote a fun and energetic style of play, enabling each child to reach their full potential in the sport. Storm Soccer is firmly committed to the principles of fair play. Club President: Clark Bain (clark2@ns.sympatico.ca)

Club Under the Spotlight - Part 2 support our volunteer coaches in the delivery of age appropriate programming, further enhancing our existing Mini Program.

This is always more important than the results of games. This philosophy is used at all levels of the club from minis and house teams to our Tier 2A teams.

Storm is also hosting our second season of Challenger’s British Soccer Camp, (July 13th-17th) after a wildly successful session last summer. Campers will participate in a week of technical and tactical practices and daily ‘World Cup’ tournament style plays. Each child will be treated to a rich cultural experience and lessons on respect, responsibility, integrity, leadership and sportsmanship.

Storm Soccer Club is committed to creating programming that is both accessible and high quality, but we also strive to promote an environment of inclusivity and positivity. Storm is the place where new and blossoming players of all ages are welcomed, and encouraged. We may be the “new kid on the block”, and our membership may be smaller than other clubs, but our players, parents, coaches and volunteers are part of the Storm family, and we look forward to many more seasons to come.

Coach Interview - CJ Young An interview with Halifax County’s technical director. Biggest role as a coach …getting the balance right of leading, teaching, empowering, motivating, planning and managing the players, team, coaches and families. Many coaches are very good at 1, 2 or 3 things and make those their priority. The best coaches are always trying to improve and work on the balance as a whole, constantly re-assessing and adjusting to give everyone a great experience.

Characteristics in a player

… we look for and work on in our players are technical ability, athleticism, tactical awareness and mentality. Throughout a players development all four must be worked on but they will not be equal at all times. The focus will change as you move up the age groups.

“…getting the balance right of leading, teaching, empowering, motivating, planning and managing the players, team, coaches and families. The best coaches are always trying to improve and work on the balance as a whole, constantly re-assessing and adjusting to give everyone a great experience.”

Athleticism and technical ability being the focus at the younger ages then as the players move up tactical awareness comes into the forefront and eventually at the older ages mentality really starts to stand out.

Balance between personal life and soccer …can have some ups and downs. It's always important to make sure you are enjoying both as well as build in some rest periods or breaks. This will make sure the excitement is always there and it does not become monotonous on either end.

Biggest challenge Biggest challenge we face these days is time.

Whether it is the availability of players, coaches, families or facilities. We have had to look at creative ways to deliver programs that are easy to access but still aﬀordable and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Rewarding Moment I have been lucky to be a part of County for over 7 years, seeing our players and coaches develop and grow over time. Whether it's been a foundation player who has made a University team, or an under 8 group eventually represent the club at Nationals or one of our former youth players coming back to coach at the U12 level. It has been extremely rewarding and a pleasure to see the program and sport grow from within.

Coaching Methodology

Learning to Train is stage three on the Long Term Player Development model adopted by the CSA in 2009

Small-sided games, allow the game to be the teacher. Player centred- allow the players to make decisions. Use Coaching Key Factors to teach the players. Demonstrate what you would like the players to do. Keep information positive, brief and concise. Create a positive learning environment. Set appropriate challenges. Practices should have a theme EG. passing or shooting. Use a variety of interventions EG. question and answer, guided discovery, command. Consider a young player’s self esteem. Avoid children standing in lines.

Learning to Train - Best Practice Philosophy - “The Golden Age of Learning” The eﬀect of the role model is very important at this stage. The coach’s role becomes even more important as he or she becomes one of the player’s role models, along with famous players and teams. At these ages players want to learn creative skills. Skill demonstration from the coach is very important as the players learn best by doing. Players are now moving from self–centred to self– critical, and they have a high stimulation level during basic skills training.

Introduction to Basic Principles of Play This is an important time to teach basic principles of play and to establish training ethics and discipline. Repetitions in training are important to developing technical excellence, but creating a fun and challenging environment is still essential for stimulating learning.

Preferred Training Model

Download the Canadian Soccer Association Coach Tool Kit for Learning to Train: Here

Canada Soccer recommends a “station” approach to training. Players move from one skill-building activity to the next at regular intervals. (See Best Practice for more information)

Multi Sport At this stage, players should participate in a variety of additional activities. Swimming and well-structured gymnastics programs are recommended to enhance the full range of basic movement skills and physical literacy

Practice Recommendations Continue to develop ball mastery in a larger environment with more teammates and opponents.

Develop the ability to control the ball and look, Introduce decision-making for the next play and apply the proper technique.

Develop the ability to run with the ball towards goal and away from goal to gain space and use width.

Introduce combination plays with 2 or 3 players.

Develop shooting skills, at longer distances. Introduce, volleys, bent shots and chips using diﬀerent surfaces.

Introduce the use of width at U9 and U10 and depth at U11 and U12.

Player Interview Beatrice Currie of Sydney, Cape Breton plays for Cape Breton FC U16 Girls, is a current member of the SNS U16 Provincial Girls Program (Canada Games) and a current REX player. How did you get started in soccer? The first time I stepped on the field was as a U6 Timbit player. It’s hard to remember what I thought of soccer back then. My parents tell me that I was one of the few kids who wouldn’t stop to pick dandelions in the middle of the game and I actually tried to keep the ball on the field. I guess they saw this as a sign that soccer was the sport for me.

NEXT ISSUE Soccer Nova Scotia Coaching Standards RTC ID March Showcase Review Coach Interview Player Interview NCCP The Locker & Coaching Course Dates Club under the Spotlight

I was lucky to have two amazing coaches who pushed me to do my best from the beginning. Their names are Michelle and Maureen and I’ve had them as coaches from u6-u16. I believe that the positivity that they brought to the game is a huge part of why I decided to continue with the sport.

Did playing other sports help improve your skills as a soccer player? Definitely! My grandmother bought me my first tennis racket when I was little. Tennis helped my coordination and my footwork. As I got older and was starting to take part in other sports, I realized that I preferred team sports like soccer and basketball. Basketball has helped with my speed, taught me to play with my head up and showed me the social side of team sports. Even though soccer is my favourite sport, I’ve never met a sport I didn’t like.

Who is my favourite soccer player? One of my favourite players to watch is Eden Hazard. He is a very explosive player and his creativity on the field makes him fun to watch. He is able to make great players look silly and I really admire his skill. He plays with great energy which is how I try to play.

Probably my favourite soccer moment was watching Diana Matheson score the winning goal to win bronze for Canada at the 2012 Olympics.

What are some of the lessons you’ve learned on your journey? An important lesson that I’ve learned through soccer is that teamwork is crucial. A team must be able to work together and understand the rolls of one another on the field. One player can achieve very little alone. I’ve learned how to be responsible while traveling with a team and to be more comfortable away from home. It’s also helped me be organized by balancing my soccer life with my school work. The final lesson that soccer has taught me is that hard work pays oﬀ. When I tried out for the U13 provincial team I was cut, but I wasn’t going to give up. I started practicing every day and I’ve been fortunate enough to be accepted into the program since U14.