Editorial

If I had to pick the theme that has emerged most strongly across sport in the last few years it would be, in a word, 'values'. In a sentence it would be 'how can all of us in sport help people, young people in particular, become good citizens through their experience of sport'. In New Zealand we have been exposed to the phrase 'better people make better All Blacks', which initially, I suspect, may have been received with skepticism  in some quarters. However, the beliefs underpinning the sentiment (as I understand them) have not only stood the test of time but have resonated across all of sport as we begin to increasingly understand the potential (and perhaps need) for sport to contribute to society and enrich lives well beyond the field, pool, track, or court. And, of course, coaches and parents are key influences in this regard. In this issue there are two videos which, respectively, highlight the role of values (New ICSS Group  €_) and parents (Meet the Group) in sport. The videos are a contrast in style but not importance. And to finish  €_ it used to be said, 'Play sport, stay out of court.' I think we have raised the bar a little since then, but it's a nice segue into a concluding quote from that great American philosopher Elvis Presley: "Values are like fingerprints. Nobody's are the same but you leave them over everything you do."

Brett Reid, Community Coaching Consultant, Sport NZHow a parent/volunteer coach can be a great coach!By Wayne Goldsmith  We've all been there.  Everyone one of us with children who play sport have been the "last-man (or woman) standing".At the last minute and faced with the prospect of either coaching the team or not having a team at all for our child to play in - we've had to reluctantly raise our hand and (cough - cough) volunteer to coach a local netball or football or rugby or swimming team.  For the parent who has maintained a connection to the sport, this is not a difficult challenge as they'll have an existing network of friends and family who know the Game and who understand what it means to practice and play, how to structure a training session, what the current rules of the Game are and so on.  But for the poor parent who's an accountant or a builder or an office worker or a truck driver with no experience in sport - let alone a background in sports coaching - being anointed "THE coach" can be a nightmare.  And as the majority of sporting clubs are run by part time amateurs with limited budgets and even less spare time, it is likely that the first time parent-coach will have to do everything from organising practices, to finding training space, communicating with the players and their parents, sourcing training equipment and occasionally even driving half the team to and from matches whilst cutting up the half time oranges and having to wash the team jumpers and socks before the next game.  In some sports, parent-coaches may even have to share refereeing or umpiring duties with their opposition coach - taking half a game each - as the limited resources available in most amateur sporting associations means that having a formally trained and paid official at all games is not always possible.  The reality is that in many parts of the sporting world, parent-coaches constitute the  majority  of coaches working with players in most sports every week.  It would be fair to say, that without parent-coaches, they'd be no junior sport as we know it.  So what do you do if you've suddenly become a parent-coach?    Five Tips to Thrive - and not just survive - being a Parent Coach.

1. Make up your mind to enjoy it.  If you've landed the job of coaching the local under nine soccer team, go buy yourself a pair of football boots and get out there and run around with the team at practices. If you're the new netball coach for the 10 year olds at your local club, buy yourself a netball, call a few old friends and practice passing and shooting so you'll be ready to coach your new team. You'll get fitter. You'll have fun. And the kids love nothing more than seeing their coach out on the field, on the court or on the track having a go.
2. Let them learn by doing: the  Game  is their real coach.  Don't over-coach.  One of the biggest mistakes Gen X, Y and Z coaches make is to coach the way  they  were coached, i.e. lots of talking, lots of instruction, very structured training environments, an over-reliance on mindless repetition, far too many drills and way too much fitness work.  Let the players play.  Instead doing a long warm up and far too much stretching - just let them get out on the field or on the court and do what they came to do - PLAY! Then - as their play progresses - and if you see an opportunity to coach a little - do it. But make your coaching secondary to the actual playing of the Game. Make playing the Game central to every training session and you'll soon see your players' skills - and smiles - progress very rapidly.

1. Remember the L.E.A.R.N. concept of kids and sport:
   1. Learning  is everything: and kids learn by doing. Keep them active. Keep them moving. Make training sessions short - but fast, engaging, dynamic and interesting.
   2. Enjoyment  is the key - for players, parents and the coach. Make it fun.
   3. Adults  are there to love, support, encourage and praise their children, not to coach from the sidelines, criticise and cause chaos.
   4. Routine  - be consistent. Children respond well to being organised with simple systems and structures. Try to practice at the same time of the day, the same day of the week and at the same venue so that their practices quickly become part of the kids' regular school and extra-curricular program.
   5. Nod  and smile as often as possible. Be positive. Be constructive. Be happy.

1. Have three very clear rules and team policies, apply them consistently and don't change them during the season. For example:
   1. Be on time  -  every time:  this simple rule sets a clear philosophy of order, structure and gives the impression you're organised.
   2. Every child will have an equal opportunity to play:  this is an important rule as it makes a clear statement to players and parents about your philosophy on team selections. This is an essential rule to have in place particularly if your own child is in the team you are coaching. Make it known that  every  child - regardless of talent, playing skill, size, speed, strength or experience - will be treated equally.
   3. Parents will act with dignity, respect, love, kindness and honesty at all times. The players will look, listen and learn from the behaviour of the adults around the team. If the players' parents are loud, annoying, abusive to officials and negative towards opposition teams, then the players will (unfortunately) learn that this is "normal" behaviour for sporting situations.

1. Encourage fun, friendships and family engagement in all training and competition activities. The research into the reasons why kids play sport - (and stop playing sport) - is remarkably consistent all over the world. For children, sport is all about having fun, making friends and learning. If your training sessions are long, dull, boring and tedious, where you focus on fitness, speed, sprinting, drills and endurance - do not be surprised when half your team decide to stop playing by mid-season. If on the other hand your training sessions are short, sharp, fast, fun and interesting - and if they involve every member of the team - then you'll have an enjoyable season of coaching. For even more fun, why not finish every training session with a "family" game? Kids vs Parents? Girls (and mums and sisters) vs Boys (and dads and brothers)? The great thing about getting mum and dad involved is that they also learn some new skills and they may be more inclined to do some extra practice with their children in the backyard or Local Park.

  Summary:

1. Being a parent coach can be a frustrating, frightening and freaky experience  IF  you try to over-coach the environment. Just relax!  As much as possible allow the kids to just play and allow the Game to be their teacher.
2. You don't need to be a professional standard coach - and  no one is expecting you to be.  You're not coaching an Olympic team or a Super Rugby side. Just be a kind, consistent, caring, compassionate and calm coach and you'll have a wonderful coaching experience.
3. Think of the parents of the children in the team as being your "partners".  Be clear with them about your expectations of their attitudes, standards and behaviours and be consistent and fair in your dealings with them throughout the season.
4. Kids don't care how much you know - they need to know how much you care.  Treat every child you coach like you treat your own children. Love beats "laps". Kindness is far more important than push-ups. Respect is a much more effective coaching tool than watching technique videos on You Tube. Simplify and clarify everything.
5. Enjoy every minute of the experience.  If in doubt - smile, get excited, get loud and show some real positive energy and joy at training sessions. Attitudes are contagious and kids respond to enthusiasm more positively than they respond to just about anything.

  Wayne Goldsmith now offers a unique coach training, education and development opportunity for all NZ Coaches through his Coaching Club program.  Check out  https://waynegoldsmithcoaching.com/  for more details.    New ICSS Group CEO Delivers Inspiring TEDx Talk focussing on Safeguarding Sport ValuesRecorded at a TEDx Talk in Tauranga, New Zealand, Hershman highlighted 7 ways that parents and adults can support young children and how they can encourage and safeguard positive ethics and values when young people play sport. [ICSS]  The San Antonio Spurs are Coached to Think for ThemselvesWhy Gregg Popovich wants his NBA players to be engaged in the world and knowledgeable about current events. [The Wall Street Journal]  OVEP 2.0: When Sport Becomes a School for LifeIn its ongoing efforts to inspire young people to adopt healthy, active lifestyles built on the values of friendship, excellence and respect, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has launched a revamped edition of its Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) toolkit. [NZOC]  Meet the Group (video)It's funny because it's true - the truth about kids' sport.  Mauricio PochettinoKnown as an uncompromising defender during a playing career that spanned 17 years and more than 500 games, Mauricio Pochettino has taken the same no-nonsense approach to management, to become one of the most exciting managers in the Premier League. [Aspetar Sports Medicine Journal]