This past weekend as I was coaching at a home tournament for the volleyball team I coach in Arcola, I was asked, "How did you get roped into this?" I think the question came because I'm not a teacher, I don't have to help with extracurricular activities at the school; but, I simply smiled and replied "I volunteered."
To me giving back in some form to the communities you are involved with is extremely important.
Although, for me, coaching is maybe a little bit selfish as I love the sport and competition. To be involved with it is simply a lot of fun. These are the same feelings I'm getting from the girls I coach, who I find passing the ball in a circle every chance they get because even just that is fun.
While home for Thanksgiving my parents were inquiring how coaching was going. I explained that it was going quite well. I have a large group of 14 players this year which makes it difficult, but we seem to be improving each week which is amazing to see.
My parents then proceeded to laugh at me as I told them I was hosting a tournament for my girls. The term "my girls" made them smile and they asked me again who I was holding the tournament for. I shook my head at them and repeated, "My girls."
Last year I coached the Jr. Boys in Arcola, so I've only known most of the girls on the team since September when we started practices; but, I've grown quite fond of them. They can be a little crazy as 14-year-old girls can be. It's been great to see not only improvement in their skills, but in their attitudes as well.
Though I put in a little time coaching, I have a strong support system in the teachers at the school including Eugene Brown, Colleen Hengen, and Carlee Annis. All three of which were integral in being able to host the tournament, especially with Carlee being the coach of the Jr. Boys this year and having them help with refereeing and minor officiating. And the boys having their tournament the day after meant the girls would be able to reciprocate.
I think being able to ref gives the young players a better understanding of the game and helps them become less critical of a possible missed call or mistaken call because they learn firsthand how difficult it can be to watch everything going on.
The only disappointing thing is that some people either don't see it this way or are simply ignorant in this. It was sad to see a coach throw their arms in the air upset, then tell a player to not worry because the kid wasn't actually on the net, although they blatantly were. Or intimidating the young refs to blow their whistle by grumbling from the sideline what they thought the call should be, when they were wrong in the first place.
The other thing that struck me was the disregard of sportsmanship in this team. They not only stared down the team on the other side of the net, but after losing a game left the court without the decency to stick around to shake hands with the other team. Finally they left their assigned change room in a mess and this coach did nothing about it.
It was surprising because at that age, this is the more important part of the game in my opinion. Young people are impressionable at this age and they're still developing their moral code. It is good to be well versed in proper technique, yet sportsmanship, respect, humility, and the development of a team mentality should be a main focus.
This is why I think I was so taken aback by how this team was acting. They did these things without repercussions from the coach, while even somewhat adding to it through harassing the young refs trying to gain experience.
To me it was disheartening and I know I'm not perfect as a coach, I just hope I'm setting a good example for them. At the beginning of the year I was even told that a few of my girls made some snippy remarks while at another school; but, I spoke with them about being respectful and haven't had any complaints of my team since.
The kids, I think, understand that they represent their school and me which I explained; but, most importantly they represent themselves.
