A new challenge beckons
A few interesting phone calls came in just the other day.
One was from an old business contact, to produce a technical solution that, unfortunately, I just don’t have the time to commit to. More’s the pity, as it’s one of those challenges that I’d love to sink my teeth into, and something I may dabble with and write up something in future.
But the challenge that’s been placed before me is to do with the other phone call. I’ve been asked to coach a team at the Vikings National School Futsal Championships.
After nearly 18 months of trying to get into one of the Level 1 Coaching Courses, I finally managed to sit the course and received my accreditation a little over a month ago. My main motivation for having done the course was to try and learn ways to improve my two club teams, but I’ll also admit that there is incentive for having another aspect of the sport in which to challenge myself and learn.
And hopefully, achieve.
I discovered Futsal late, compared to most players, at the age of 28 and then only after I was in a life position where I could reignite my interest in Football (soccer). For the majority of players, 28 is approaching the peak or twilights of their playing careers. Of course, there are exceptions that play well into their 30’s, but typically, and especially if they’ve been playing high level competitive football/futsal since their teens, the age of 30 represents a point where the body is no longer able to play the way the mind demands it to.
For me, the highest level I’ve been able to achieve as a player is competing at regional competition in the Mens 30’s division, and one Masters Games tournament. Admittedly, both were at a time when I was still too inexperienced in the sport.
As a referee, I’ve been to 4 National Championships, having shown more proficiency as an arbiter in the sport than as a competitor. There’s nothing wrong with that, and one merely has to look at Pierluigi Collina or Mark Shield as an example of referees who, by their own admission, weren’t particularly good players, but have shown that that does not mean that they do not understand the game. I’ll freely admit, becoming a referee made me a better player… but I will always be a better referee.
And all this, I’m hoping, will piece together to aid me as a coach. I think that to understand the various aspects of the sport, the player psychology, the Laws and their application, how to interact with officials… all of this should, I hope, combine well as assets towards my skills as a coach.
But of course, none of this means anything without results… and ultimately that comes down to the players.
I’ve written previously about my teammates and how I’ve admired their tenacity, drive and commitment, with each of my teams having made it to finals in the past year. The challenge I’ve had as a captain trying to get the best from them, is not having the opportunity to coach them beyond a few minutes and ‘in-game’ lessons learned. They have potential to succeed, but to realise that potential, we need training sessions that unfortunately, life just won’t permit.
Their improvement, however, has shown how they can combine, focus and improve. I’m not taking any credit, as they have done the work… but it helps having someone there with the knowledge and focus to help them achieve what they are capable of.
I guess that’s one of the reasons why those of us that become coaches take up the challenge… to take the various elements and shape them into a working unit.
Thankfully, I’m not being thrown in the deep end with a Youth team, or 17 year old boys pumped up on testosterone. No, my first official coaching challenge is with an Under 13 Girls team for the National Schools Championships, and next weekend will be my first training session in charge.
I’ve not met the manager, or any of the girls. I don’t know if they’re all from the one school (but, I’m assuming that they are, since it’s a schools tournament) and I’ve no idea of their skill level. I know that they’ve had one training session together, and that I’ve got coaching support from the State Development Officer.
So, come this Sunday, I get to meet everyone on the team, get to know them, put them through their paces and see how big the challenge ahead of me really is.
Should be a lot of fun.
