One Two Magazine Edition 1 December 2015 One Two Magazine Edition 1 December 2015 | Page 17

Message from a Coach

Message from

a Grassroots coach

Today I heard a
comment made about
me behind my back. I
started to turn around
and look but then
decided better of it and
kepy my eyes on the
field,
“My wife hears things like this more often
than I do, because many of you don’t know
who she is. She tells me what you say. I
have received... angry emails, full of
‘suggestions’ about who should be playing
where and how I... lost that day’s game for
the kids. I thought I’d write an open letter to
all you parents, even though I might neer
send it. I’ll start it this way: ‘I am a
volunteer’.
I’m the one who answered the call when
the league said they didn’t have enough
coaches. I understand that you were too
busy. I have some news for you. I’m not
retired. I’m busy too. I have other children
and a job, just like you do. Not only do I not
get paid to do this - it costs me money. I
see you walk up to the game 15 minutes

after it started, still dressed for work. Do
you know I’ve already been here over an
hour? Imagine if you had to leave work
early nearly every day. I’ve never seen you
at a practice.
I’m sure you’re plugging away at the office.
But I’m out here, on the field trying my best
to teach these children how to play a sport