As Rugby season is kicking off, I thought I’d put this up as a timely reminder.<\/p>\n
Letter from a Volunteer Coach<\/p>\n
“Today I heard a comment made about me behind my back. I started to turn around and look, but then decided better of it and kept my eyes on the field. My wife hears things like this more often than I do, because many of you don\u2019t know who she is. She tells me what you say. I have received… angry emails & texts, full of \u201csuggestions,\u201d about who should be playing where and how I… lost that day\u2019s game for the kids. <\/p>\n
I thought I\u2019d write an open letter to all of you parents, even though I might never send it. I\u2019ll start it this way: \u201cI am a volunteer.\u201d<\/p>\n
I\u2019m the one who answered the call when the club said they didn\u2019t have enough coaches or managers. I understand that you were too busy. I have some news for you. I\u2019m not retired. I\u2019m busy too. I have other children and a job, just like you do. Not only do I not get paid to do this \u2013 it costs me money. I see you walk up to the game 15 minutes after it started, still dressed for work. <\/p>\n
Do you know I\u2019ve already been here over an hour? Imagine if you had to leave work early nearly every day. I\u2019ve never seen you at a training. I\u2019m sure you\u2019re plugging away at the office. But I\u2019m out here, on the field, trying my best to teach these children how to play a sport they love, while my bank account suffers.<\/p>\n
I know. I make mistakes. In fact, maybe I\u2019m not even that great of a coach. But I treat the kids fairly and with respect. I am pretty sure they like coming to my trainings and games, and without me or someone like me, there\u2019d be no team for them to play on. <\/p>\n
I\u2019m part of this community too and it\u2019s no picnic being out here on this stage like this. It\u2019s a lot easier back there with the other parents where no one is second-guessing you.<\/p>\n
And I also know you think I give my son or daughter unfair advantages. I try not to. <\/p>\n
In fact, have you ever considered that maybe I\u2019m harder on him than on the others? I\u2019m sure he hears plenty of criticism at school from classmates, who hear it from you at home, about what a poor manager I am. <\/p>\n
And if, even unconsciously, my kids are getting a slight advantage because I know them better and trust their abilities, is that the worst thing in the world, considering the sacrifice I\u2019m making? <\/p>\n
Trust me, I want to win too. I like to think I treat everyone equally, yes even the weaker players get a chance, after all, in my eyes, it\u2019s all about inclusion<\/p>\n
After this game is over, I\u2019ll be the last one to leave. I have to clear the pitch, put away all the equipment and make sure everyone has had a parent arrive to pick them up. <\/p>\n
There have been evenings when my son and I waited with a player until after dark before someone came to get them. <\/p>\n
Many nights I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve already had dinner and are relaxing on the couch by the time I finally kick the mud off my shoes and climb into my car, which hasn\u2019t been washed or vacuumed for weeks. Why bother cleaning it during the season? <\/p>\n
Do you know how nice it would be if, just once, after a game one of you offered to carry the heavy gear bag to my car or help collect the balls, bibs or bottles?<\/p>\n
If I sound angry, I\u2019m not. I do this because I love it and I love being around the kids. There are plenty of rewards and I remind myself that while you\u2019re at the office working, your kid is saying something that makes us all laugh or brings a tear to my eye. <\/p>\n
The positives outweigh the negatives. I just wish sometime those who don\u2019t choose to volunteer their time would leave the coaching to the few of us who do.”<\/p>\n
Let’s all keep this in mind, please feel free to put up your hand & help our YOUR CLUB<\/p>\n
P.s picture is not the coach who wrote the letter, it’s just a guy giving our next generation of players his time for free.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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