Page 36 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 154

36 Issue #154 November 2025
How to be Coachable
we would go through the manual and
talk about each topic.
First page topic is: What are the
players responsible for:
1) Enthusiasm for both practice but focus more on bringing value to
and games.
2) Willingness to correct mistakes
I wanted to keep it simple and
By Trevor Steynor clear. Enthusiasm is so important
with being coachable. Ralph Waldo
his topic is an important one in Emerson said, “Nothing great
Tsports and being part of a team. was ever accomplished without
What does it mean to be coachable? enthusiasm.” To be enthusiastic you
Each coach has his own ideas of what really have to love what you do, and
it takes to be a coachable player. A you have to love it EVERY DAY.
quote from Jon Gruden said, “The That means coming to practice and
real players want to be coached, they playing games with a high energy
want structure, they want discipline, level. It’s a big challenge each day to
they don’t want to be easy.” A few get up for practice and games. This
years back I came up with the idea helps with willingness to correct
of creating a Standard of Success mistakes. Actively listening without
manual for my team. Each August becoming defensive, and applying
Warner Insurance presents
Member of the Month
ANN PRIMEAU
ANN PRIMEAU
Ann lives in Cornwall and has been an Ontario
Senior Games Association (OSGA) member since
2024. She competed in two 2025 OSGA District
8 (D8) events: darts and euchre. She stated that
she and her longtime friend enjoyed both events
because of the friendly competition and the
camaraderie with fellow participants.
Although her euchre team did not progress further, Ann’s dart team
took the Silver medal in the OSGA D8’s Women’ Division. This earned
these ladies a qualifying entry into the 2025 OSGA Provincial Games in
Sudbury, in August 2025.
The OSGA Dart Rules require women players Continued on page 36 *
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constructive criticism to improve clearly and effectively? Being part
their performance.
of a team, this is important. Because
your voice matters to everyone. Even
We talk in our team building that communicating to the coach.
playing time is your responsibility. A
coach doesn’t control your playing Let’s talk about an important topic
time. Our early response to my team and that is resilience. Coachable
is, stop worrying about playing time athletes can handle setbacks and are
able bounce back. Making mistakes
the team. This goes with all sports happen often in practice or games. We
from hockey, soccer, football, and
stress in our meetings and practice
the list goes on. At the beginning is what happens next. We refer to it
of the season players are always as “Next Play.” As a team, we don’t
focused on playing time and I get it. worry about the mistake or missed
My response is the same but might
basket but focus on “Next Play.” On
be said differently. When we have
a team, coachable players contribute
post weekend breakdowns, we talk
to a positive team culture. Within
about the more things you can do,
a team that has good culture when
the harder you are to keep out of the
lineup. I also say find yourself a role mistakes and things aren’t going
well. A team with a good culture will
on the team. Every team has their
come together to support each other.
main players and then there are role
Parents can also help build their kids’
type players. Being coachable takes
coachability. They can help remind
work and starts with your energy.
Body language is key and showing their kids about the important lessons
that can come from feedback. It’s
the coach you’re a sponge. Being a
sponge is soaking up being part of a an opportunity to learn and grow. I
team plus when you get feedback from truly believe that growth happens
the coaches. Another question we from feedback, and you have to go
ask players is, Do you communicate backwards to go forward.
Continued from page 36 friendly conversations..”
to start with 401 points. There is Ann has made numerous community
friendships through her volunteer
no ‘double in’ to start, but players
must end a game by “doubling out.” work in the Cornwall area. She has
Players cannot just score to zero; been the President of the Royal
Canadian Legion’s (RCL) Ladies
the final dart must land in a double
segment or the bullseye. Each player Auxiliary since 2019, where she
has been a member since 2010. Ann
throws three (3) darts per turn, with held the position of President as the
scores deducted from the starting
total, and a player who scores over RCL’s Seniors Club for one term.
And has donated numerous hours for
the required amount to finish their
score must “bust,” which results in the RCL Poppy Campaign, Agape,
their score returning to what it was at and the Salvation Army. Readers
the beginning of that turn. For more will agree on the numerous benefits
details - please visit the OSGA Rules volunteering has on our mental and
Darts website. physical health.
Ann shared these words of wisdom Ann looks forward to enjoying
the friendships, competition, and
for our new OSGA participants:
“There is no need to be nervous. challenges while involved with
OSGA D8. She states that she enjoys
Give it a try. Have fun and enjoy the being active and hopes to be able to
experience in whatever sport you
choose. People will guide you if you continue to compete in these senior
events.
ask. It’s a good crowd with plenty of