Mini-soccer is just around the corner

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/03/2015 (4033 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Spring is when we can shed mittens and clunky boots in exchange for lightweight layers and running shoes. Kids and parents alike are itching to spend quality time outside after being cooped up during the long winter months.

Mini-soccer is a very popular activity for four to six-year-olds once the spring thaw has taken place and soccer fields have dried out. We sign the kids up, help them tie their shoelaces and find a seat on the sidelines to watch. But who is on the field with them, coaching the game? The answer is simple — parents.

Elizabeth Jackimec, acting mini-soccer convenor for Valour Community Centre says “the mini-soccer program is entirely run by volunteers and, in fact, most kids sports programs rely heavily on parent volunteers.”

As children grow into different programs and leagues, it is a challenge to constantly replace the once-committed parents. Jackimec adds: “Without parent volunteers it is not an exaggeration to say that the mini-soccer program will cease to exist.”

Volunteers are an essential component of community-based programs. Without a dedicated and reliable volunteer base, many programs operate with the bare minimum.

Without volunteers, quality programs and activities run the risk of being jeopardized. So, if you’re a parent with a child in the game, what skills does it take to coach mini soccer?
The answer is simple — a willingness to run around and have fun.

The concept of mini-soccer embraces fun along with learning basic soccer skills. It is a non-competitive environment designed to promote fair play and teamwork. The field is smaller than a standard soccer field, which allows for greater concentration from the players.

(And it is important to note that mini-soccer players will need encouragement to  concentrate. Coaches often have to tell them to chase the ball instead of the butterflies and, when the kids end up playing in goal, pretending to be a fish, a coach may have to encourage them to be quick as hyenas out on the field.)

Parents who volunteer to coach kids’ sports programs will meet people from the community, which Jackimec says leads to friendships for both parents and children, creating a strong bond within the community.

To volunteer for the Valour Community Centre mini-soccer program, call 204-775-3886. For more information, visit www. valourcc.ca

Christina Hiebert is a community correspondent for the West End. You can contact her at christina.hiebert@gmail.com