So you would like to be a coach.

Volunteer Screening

This is our first year with a full Volunteer Screening Policy. Last year, we required Police Checks, but this year we go further and have fully implemented the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) Screening Manual.

What this means is you have to fill out a form: Download it here.

If you want to know more, see our Volunteer Policy.

After filling out the form, we will need to see a recent Police Check, we may want to interview you, or to talk to personal references. This is mandated by OSA and by the Government  to protect the kids – if you were suitable as a coach before, then you still are now!

Now the bureaucracy is done . . .

Coaching a soccer team is rewarding, no matter what age the players may be. Most coaches involved with Acton SC are parents of a player on the team of interest, although this is not always the case. Acton SC is too small to offer Competitive (Rep) Soccer; we operate at the Recreational (House League) level.

For our coaches, then, it is most important that they foster the correct attitudes:

• Players register to have fun playing soccer. The game is GREAT FUN: the rules and the objectives are easy to understand, it is easy to participate, but very difficult to master.
• Fun comes from fair competition between teams, with players developing individual skills through each season.
• Development of team cooperation and tactics is a joy to foster, to watch, and to participate in, and the coach does all three.
• An atmosphere is to be built of “honest competition” through respect for the spirit and letter of the laws of the game, respect for officials and team mates, and respect for the opponent. A win should always be a win that the team can be proud of.
• This last point is most important: through their career, players will generally lose as many games as they win; progress can be made in individual and team level of accomplishment even in games that are lost.

If you think that sounds like the right way to play a sport: what next?

You need some qualifications:

• An honest desire to help players have fun playing soccer. The age of the players will change the balance of the approach: the closer the player is to adulthood, the more they want to learn skills focusing on helping the team to win. Younger players have to develop awareness of the power of teamwork, helping this is that they try very hard to please the coach.
• A clean police background check. You can get this done by visiting the police station in Georgetown, paying $15 and then wait for a week. Acton SC requires that the coach have a clean background check less than three years old.

The older the age group, the more you need to know about the game. Acton Soccer Club runs coaching clinics for new coaches, and for those seeking certification to the OSA (Ontario Soccer Association) coaching levels. (Clinics not available every year: depends whether someone volunteers to run them.)

Clinics
We are excited to announce that we will again engage Wein Way Sports of Milton to run coaching clinics in April – May. Three courses will be run to help coaches give the best experience to their players and to get the most from their season.

The courses will be run as follows:

Mini Soccer for UNDER-5 and UNDER-6 coaches. Specially tailored for coaches with players who have great potential but minimal attention spans.

Mini Soccer for UNDER-8 and UNDER-10 coaches. You will learn practice games and coaching approaches. Intended for all coaches, all levels of experience, and especially valuable for those new to the game. Help your mini-soccer charges get the most from the season.

Youth game for coaches with 11-a-side teams, i.e. Under-12 and older, geared to coaching maturing players to develop their abilities. Valuable games and fun ways to teach soccer skills to developed players.

Learn more about Wein Way Sports: http://www.weinwaysports.com

Contact:
Contact the Coaching Coordinator or Head Coach to volunteer or to find out more, see the CONTACTS page.

Resources:
Now You’re a Coach: what resources are there?
The best place to find the rules of the game is HERE

Acton House League Rules

• Under 12 - Under 16 Girls
• Under 12 - Under 14 Boys