Be a coach and help a child to participate in sports!

There should be no doubt in anybody's mind that coaching sports to youngsters is a good thing since it gives the participants the opportunity to develop social skills that can be transferred to their adult life in the time to come. Equally, Parents need to rehearse their emotional control and instil in their little ones a sense of responsibility so that they can evaluate & measure their worthiness in the theatre of life. Certainly, potential pitfalls and barriers will be encounter by their little ones while learning the ropes of life so parents must be driven by the desire to be a good parent rather than the desire to instil in them discipline, pride and sense of achievement.  Indeed, it is a challenge to coach people new skills but if you are already a qualified coach in any discipline your chances of success are sky high. It is not a case of learning a whole new set of coaching skills it is more of a case of applying your existing ones to meet the needs of the participants. Having said that you don't have to hold a coaching certificate to encourage people to take up a sport and teach them the fundamentals of a game you have played before. My father was my first baseball coach and the old chap did not have a piece of paper that credited him with such a qualification; but he had played the game at national level. Nevertheless, in any given coaching context, it is paramount that all participants are treated as individuals and with respect so that they feel welcome and their confidence is hauled up. As a coach you must make sure that all your coaching sessions meet the needs of the participants and that they are accessible to anyone who wishes to take part. Remember, it is everyone's concern to give strength and confidence to young ones' lives. 

P.Figueras