The Shenandoah County Soccer League has received a $1,000 grant from the Virginia Youth Soccer Association for recreational coaches education!
Thanks to our Technical Director Levi Dofemire, SCSL was one of only 11 clubs receiving grants to grow recreational soccer in Virginia.
Our annual surveys have repeatedly highlighted the important role our volunteer coaches have in determining player (and parent) satisfaction. Players who have good coaches come back year after year.
We ask a lot of our volunteer coaches; they juggle work with practices and games, and most of them are parents of their own kids. The League needs coaches to have a positive experience so the kids have a positive experience.
That is why SCSL will use the VYSA grant to reimburse up to 40 coaches who complete one of the online Grassroots coaching education courses offered by US Soccer.
The Grassroots courses focus on U.S. Soccer’s Coaching Education Philosophy, Play-Practice-Play Methodology, the Six Tasks of a Coach, and the characteristics of players in that specific game model (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11).
The first step is to register at U.S. Soccer’s Digital Coaching Center.
The second step is to complete the Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module. It’s free and only takes 20 minutes.
After that the training courses are split into four groups, each focused on different formats: 4v4 (06U and 08U), 7v7 (10U), 9x9 (12U), and 11v11 (13U+). This is fantastic because it allows 06U and 08U coaches to get training they can use immediately, instead of information they'll have to wait 5-7 years to use.
Each course is $25. Once a course is completed, please forward the completion certificate to the SCSL Treasurer in order to receive reimbursement.
Right now only the volunteers who are coaching recreational teams this spring are eligible to be reimbursed for the cost of their course. Once the spring season is over the League will open up reimbursements to anyone involved with the League until the grant funds are exhausted.
SCSL believes coaches who receive training will feel more confident and provide better experiences for their players. Kids who enjoy soccer will play more soccer. That supports the motto of the Shenandoah County Soccer League: “Soccer is about learning and having fun!”
If you have any questions about the coaching education reimbursement program, please contact SCSL Technical Director Levi Dofemire or SCSL President Adam Sharp.