Page 19 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 139

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue 139 August 2024 19

One-on-One Coaching Soccer with Sarah Whelan
By Christine Ouellet having the ball at their feet is often
more difficult because soccer is
arah Whelan’s soccer career an uncomfortable sport. It is not
Stook off while studying at natural. The way you have to kick
Queen’s University from 2017- the ball with your feet, in a certain
2022. She held the positions of way, doesn’t come naturally to
center back, full back, holding every kid. Pushing and aiming
midfield, attacking midfield, and with accuracy is hard for a kid.
winger, to name a few. And she So, I think the biggest thing for
receives many awards. them is to become confident in
controlling the ball with their feet.
Sarah Whelan started to run
soccer training sessions for young We work with ‘small touches’ and
‘big touches,’ kicking the balls
athletes this summer. She runs
one-on-one and small groups, with their feet for 45 minutes. Then Sarah Whelan With Macy, 8 years old Photo Submitted
which she advertises on social I see progress and the parents say I am asking them to do. The kids
media such as Facebook. that they notice a huge difference
in how their kids control the ball will see the difference and then
She says, “I have been working during the game. It is pretty cool once they can do it naturally, it
with boys and girls aged 8 – 10. to hear and get positive feedback, builds their confidence. Positive
I focus on whatever the young it makes me feel like I am making reinforcement is important,
athlete needs during the one-hour a difference with these children. letting them know they can see a
session. The coaching sessions The kids are excited to tell me difference.
take place in St-Andrew’s field.” about it.”
Sarah is starting a career in
Sarah works on the kid’s Another important aspect of children’s education; she just
weaknesses; she has a good her training is building their completed teacher’s college
conversation with them to identify self-confidence. The kids, at and she has been assigned to a
their strengths and weaknesses. such a young age, need to gain Kindergarten class in September.
She also relies on their parents self-confidence. To reach that
to tell her what they need to level, she says they talk a lot She wants to teach at the
improve. She observes how the during the sessions, allowing Elementary level and work with
young athlete controls the ball her to assess if the kid feels young children. For further
and dribbles and assesses their comfortable with the ball at their information, you can reach her on
passing and shooting technique. feet. When they succeed, they her Facebook site.
She addresses all areas where she are very proud of themselves. The first 2 photos are of Ainsley
feels that they need help. Just practice and practice, over (9 years old). The 3rd and 4th are

She says, “I find that for the kids, and over again. And for me, it is of Macy (8 years old) and the last
Emeline, 10 years old
ball control and being comfortable making sure they understand what one is Eméline (10 years old. Photo Submitted