Page 24 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 140

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Fall Hockey Tryouts - And So It Begins….
Over the Boards
By Brad Robertson
ell end of August means
Whockey tryouts at both the
Junior A, B, C, and AA level.
AAA hockey from U12 through
to U16 was held in the spring,
and U18 AAA begins after Junior
is complete. It’s a stressful time
for some players and families. As
a coach at AA and an Executive
member it’s a hectic time for me
but I try and enjoy the process
as much as I can. Toughest job is
obviously releasing players from
the squad. Its never easy to do and
the only negative part for me.
The satisfaction and joy that
coaching brings me far outweighs
the negative. Believe me when
I say this though, that things
have changed a lot since I started
coaching back in the ‘90s. First
off, social media wasn’t a thing.
Kids didn’t have cell phones
and the technology that goes
with these phones, tablets, and parent-wise back then. Through the team then that’s coaching for
computers. It’s so much easier my observations as both a coach the wrong reasons. Giving too
for people to communicate than and Executive member, there are much playing time to your kids
back then. Emails were a thing. definitely more issues that are being may also be unfair. Luckily, I feel
I always made it a policy that brought to us than back when the that situation, although prevalent
I never had conversations with Generation Xers were the parents. in places, isn’t happening in my
parents or players through emails I’m not saying that the issues aren’t home association of Seaway
or on the phone. I always had relevant or real, I’m only saying that Valley AA Rapids. We have some
face to face communication more parents today feel that they awesome parent coaches who are
whenever necessary. Things can be are entitled to have more of a say in doing it for the right reasons and
misconstrued electronically or over matters and situations. I’ve always that makes me both happy and
the phone. Meeting face to face was made myself available to discuss proud as an Executive member.
always preferred for me. One thing pertinent issues with both players We try to encourage people to
that I have come to value though and parents. Communication is come and coach as a nonparent but
is being able to use technology vital always. Don’t get me wrong unfortunately that has been a tough
to communicate with the group though, I have met and worked thing to do. The time commitment,
easier and quickly. The second with lots of wonderful parents from travelling, and in some cases,
thing is there is an abundance of the millennial generation. unwanted pressures that have
great information, tips, and videos My son plays competitive been placed on coaches by parents
pertaining to the game, at your hockey and competitive baseball. today, have led to many quality
fingertips online. That information He’s had some excellent coaches candidates having second thoughts
can be shared easily these days throughout the years, but I also to coach. We will keep trying at our
with your players and families. have felt that he may have had association to encourage nonparent
Society is definitely different some that weren’t there for all of hockey coaches to join us in our
than it was in the ‘90’s. I was born the right reasons. I have coached quest to ice quality teams and
in the ‘60’s and I’m considered a my son in hockey periodically. I develop players to help them reach
Generation Xer. This generation to cut my teeth coaching hockey long their goals.
me was quieter and less opinionated before my son was born so I gained Good luck to everyone out there
than the millennial generation that a lot of coaching experience as a within our area with hockey tryouts
makes up the group of parents of nonparent coach. I enjoy coaching at all the levels. Do your best,
the players that I have currently as a nonparent. I don’t see it as compete as hard as you can and try
coach. The generation Xers that I being any different than having a to enjoy the challenge that comes
had the pleasure of being involved kid on the team. I’m glad I started with these tryouts. If you succeed,
with parent-wise in hockey were coaching when I did, and I do it great! If you don’t, then simply
easier to deal with, for sure. They for the right reasons. I’ve seen drop down and take the information
still had concerns, questions, the other side of things, namely that is shared with you when you
and opinions about things, but a parent coach that is coaching are released, to the team you end
their way of communicating was for the wrong reasons. When you up on and work hard to improve in
different than what goes on now. coach your son or daughter, and those areas for the following year
I had far less issues to deal with your child may not belong on when you tryout again.
Coach Brad