Finding your why

Posted on February 15, 2019 by Morgan Rogers

As someone who has recently experienced some adverse experiences in my coaching that were largely out of my control, I decided the best thing to do would be to step back and reflect. As people get busy and caught up in the moment, we may forget what brought us here in the first place. So, when thrust into an unfortunate situation, I reminded myself why it was I was actually involved in coaching in the first place. I believe ‘finding your why’ is important, and should be at the forefront every time you show up to a practice.

For me, my motivations are purely driven by passion: for coaching, for sport, and for helping others. I want to help the kids I coach find a love of sport (while learning the skills), and in addition to being good athletes, I want them to be good people.

This picture represents to me how coaching should be: athlete in the forefront and in focus, coach in the background (and happy to help their athlete!) Coaching at xc ski nationals in 2018

The following quote (from my personal coaching hero Mike Babcock) summarizes the essence of coaching in my eyes. Whether you are coaching intro level sport once a week or are the head coach of a high level team, it is important to be committed and prepared to do your best every day.

The following are responses I have crowd sourced answering the same question “why do you coach?”. I challenge you to ask yourself this question, and remember your why every time you show up to practice.

  • Giving kids the tools they need confront and overcome difficulties in life through sport
  • To be a positive influence and help kids meet their fullest potential
  • I like helping people put the pieces of the puzzle together to get the most out of their bodies and their sport, and to share my passion for the best sport in the world that is truly a life long sport 🙂
  • Seeing athletes improve and achieve their goals brings me satisfaction
  • Getting to ski, run, hike, and bike all the time for work and sharing those activities that I enjoy with the youth of today
  • My biggest satisfaction in coaching is helping athletes improve in all aspects of sport and life, and witnessing their smiles during team training

Thanks for reading, and keep smiling through all your coaching endeavours. 🙂

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CBC Investigation – sexual abuse in sport

Posted on February 11, 2019 by Morgan Rogers

CBC has shared the results of an investigation conducted in the Canadian sport system, and found a shocking 200+ coaches convicted of sexual offences in the last 20 years. For more information, see their article here.

Where do we stand in Alberta?

What can we do? Take a look at the Coaching Association of Canada’s Responsible Coaching Movement

Tips for children from Sheldon Kennedy (former NHL player and safe sport advocate):

  • Call the Kid’s Help Phone
  • Call 911
  • Visit the Calgary Child Advocacy Centre
  • Raise you concerns and ask questions when something feels wrong

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February Book of the Month

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Morgan Rogers

Featured Book of the Month:

Expand your energy and raise your sense of personal power with power yoga, the athletic and dynamic style of yoga that delivers high intensity and quick results. In Power Yoga: Strength, Sweat, and Spirit, you will learn the poses, practices, and philosophy of this fitness- and focus-boosting training method to strengthen your body and awaken your spirit. This potent practice is a complete workout on its own, but it also offers tremendous benefits when combined with other workouts and sports. In addition to physical strength, stamina, and flexibility, the dynamic movements of power yoga challenge you to develop focus, balance, and purpose that extend to life beyond the yoga mat. To see more click here

Use code B031 to receive 40% off regular price. Be sure to sign up to receive our e-newsletter to stay informed, click here to sign up! Offer expires 2/28/2019

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Women in Coaching

Posted on January 31, 2019 by Morgan Rogers

Women in Coaching. A difficult problem. It is one that people recognize as an issue, and there are several initiatives in place to encourage getting women into sport, however, the question that must be asked; how many female coaches are these initiatives reaching?

Canada’s women’s 2018 olympic hockey team with a female head coach

As recently as the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, only 10% of Canadian coaches were female. This number is disappointing, and shows there is still work to be done in creating parity in the coaching realm.

A point of reflection: if there are so many wonderful resources available to aid the advancement of women in coaching, why are numbers still so low? Perhaps people are not aware of the opportunities that exist. An important way to push the female coaching movement would be to garner lots of interest in these resources and programs, to show there is a need for them and potentially others.

As mentioned above, several resources do exist. With the upcoming Canada Winter Games, a good example to point to is the “Women in Coaching Canada Games Apprenticeship Program” found here. The purpose of this program is to provide developing female coaches with the opportunity to work under a mentor coach and participate in a major multi-sport games.

CAAWS and the Coaching Association of Canada have also co-created a mentorship program for female coaches, found here. This program is well designed, and is evidence informed. It is certainly worth it to take a look at this program.

The Coaching Association of Ontario has created an initiative called “Changing the Game, Changing the Conversation” which is aimed not only at increasing the number of female coaches in sport, but increasing the number of female sport participants as a result of having positive female role models. Using the slogan #SheCanCoach to promote the movement. This is a wonderful initiative, and would be amazing to bring this to Coach AB.

Finally, on our own website you will find links to several other resources found under the “Programs” drop down menu. If you are a coach in Alberta (or anywhere) please take advantage of the resources available. The first and most important step is putting yourself out there and taking advantage of the opportunities available to you! You never know what may come of it, as one exciting opportunity can open the door to several others.

Some inspiration:

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir with their duo of male and female coaches, Patrice Lauzon and Marie-France Dubreuil
Becky Hammon

Coach Becky Hammon is the first female full-time assistant coach in the NBA. And she’s not stopping there – Hammon is determined to be known for being a “great coach” period, rather than “a great female coach”. Read more about it on the Player’s Tribune.

Hayley Wickenheiser hired as Toronto Maple Leafs player development assistant director in August 2018. “The biggest reason why I was intrigued about this role is that Kyle was interested in me — not to hire a woman, but to hire someone who could do the job” – Wickenheiser

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January Book of the Month

Posted on January 12, 2019 by Brianna Horton

Your Workout Perfected

Every workout is intended to do one thing: maximize results. Whether that result is fitness, function and performance, fat loss, or physique improvements, you want your efforts to pay off. What if you had the opportunity to have the NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year observe your workout and show you how you could make it better? Now you do have access to that expertise, with Your Workout PERFECTED.

Inside, there are 243 exercises and 71 programs to develop your fitness, promote fat loss, improve your function and performance, or work on your physique, including beginner workout programs for those who are just starting and even alternative home or hotel gym workouts and bodyweight workouts.

To see more click here

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December eNews

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Brianna Horton

Coach Alberta

December 2018 Newsletter

 

WADA Publishes NEW Prohibited Substances list

  • In effect as of January 1st, 2019, a NEW Prohibited substance list will affect all national and international athletes
  • To view the list click here

NCCP Workshop and Events Calendar

  • Use The Locker to see some of the workshops and events the NCCP has to offer
  • Registration can be done right through The Locker when logged into your account
  • Use the link above to check out the what is offered in December

Supporting Positive Sport Parenting

  • This webinar, which opened October 2nd, 2018, explores how sports organizations can work with parents so that kids, coaches, clubs, and parents can thrive
  • Presented by Sport for Life and Active for Life
  • To view this webinar, click here

The Canadian Journal for Women in Coaching

  • The new issue was released in October 2018 featuring an article by Guylaine Demers & Gretchen Kerr “Promising Initiatives Could bring Real Change for Women in Coaching”
  • The views expressed in the articles of the Canadian Journal for Women in Coaching are those of the authors and do not reflect the policies of the Coaching Association of Canada.
  • To read the article and others in Vol. 18 No. 4, click here

Book of the Month

There will be no specific Book of the Month for December but there are plenty of PROMOS!

December 3 through December 13, 2018 – Holiday Sale

  • 40% off, plus free shipping when customers purchase $25 or more in products
  • Promo code:  A779

November 29 through December 10, 2018 – 12 Days of Fitness Social Media Campaign

  • 40% off all titles including the book of the day, plus free shipping when customers purchase $25 or more in products
  • Promo code:  A782 for social media

December 17 through December 31, 2018 – Additional Holiday Offer

Coach Alberta- Professionalization Survey

  • Here at Coach Alberta, we are always looking for ways to make coaching better for you! We have recently created a survey for opinions from Alberta coaches on the topic of Coaching Professionalization
  • Use this link to complete the survey: Coaching Professionalization
  • Enter your email at the end for a chance to win a book from Human Kinetics!

 

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December Book of the Month

Posted on November 30, 2018 by Brianna Horton

December 3 through December 13, 2018 – Holiday Sale

40% off, plus free shipping when customers purchase $25 or more in products

Promo code:  A779

November 29 through December 10, 2018 – 12 Days of Fitness Social Media Campaign

December 17 through December 31, 2018 – Additional Holiday Offer

30% off any item

For more information on these Human Kinetics Holiday promotions, click here.

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Survey Update

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Brianna Horton

The coaching professionalization survey has recently been updated. For your participation in the survey, make sure you enter your email address for your chance to win the Coach Alberta Book of the Month from Human Kinetics!

Coaching Professionalization by Survey Monkey and Coach Alberta

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Coaching Survey

Posted on November 5, 2018 by Brianna Horton

 

We want to hear from you! Do you think the professionalization of coaching would be a positive contribution for sport in Alberta? Take this survey and let us know your thoughts. Click on the link below.

SurveyMonkey- Coaching Professionalization

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November Book of the Month

Posted on November 5, 2018 by Brianna Horton

November 2018

 Power Yoga

 

Expand your energy and raise your sense of personal power with power yoga, the athletic and dynamic style of yoga that delivers high intensity and quick results. In Power Yoga: Strength, Sweat, and Spirit, you will learn the poses, practices, and philosophy of this fitness- and focus-boosting training method to strengthen your body and awaken your spirit.

This potent practice is a complete workout on its own, but it also offers tremendous benefits when combined with other workouts and sports. In addition to physical strength, stamina, and flexibility, the dynamic movements of power yoga challenge you to develop focus, balance, and purpose that extend to life beyond the yoga mat. To see more click here

Use code B027 to receive 40% off regular price.  Be sure to sign up to receive our e-newsletter to stay informed, click here to sign up! Offer expires 11/30/2018

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