Page 40 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 114

40 Issue #114 July 2022 www.sportsenergynews.com

a good example of sportsmanship, respond to a more abrasive direct
Over the Boards respect of yourselves, teammates, approach, and some shut down if

coaches, on ice officials, and our you are too hard on them. A balance
years the one thing I have found that opponents. Gaining players trust is a has to be found in order to know who
By Brad Robertson hasn’t changed is players hunger to large part of being a successful coach. to push hard and challenge more
compete, improve, and succeed. Getting players to believe in what assertively, or who needs the softer
I have carved out a reputation for you are trying to do for them, to help gentler approach.
myself as a demanding, no nonsense, them improve as athletes and more Coaching has brought me many
quality coach whose goals include importantly as people, is key. great memories that I will cherish
making sure that my players come Everyone understands that being forever. The healthy relationships
together as one to achieve goals we involved in sports helps develop that I’ve formed with other coaches,
set for ourselves as a team and as people in so many ways. Sports my players through the years, and
athletes. The pursuit of these goals provides life lessons: teamwork, their families, has added so much
has to remain strong all season long. accountability, focus, goal setting, positivity to my life. I will continue
I push players and teams to meet commitment, and learning to tackle to stay involved with minor hockey
expectations through hard work, certain roles for the betterment of and help mentor and influence
plenty of practice on and off of the your team. It takes everyone pulling young hungry players as long as I
ice, mental preparation, and of course on the same rope together in the feel I’m capable. Youth sports needs
making sure that the environment same direction to succeed. I want to involved and committed people to
that I establish from day 1 includes know my players as more than just take on these roles and I am certainly
ensuring my players know that I’m hockey players. I want to know them passionate about that responsibility.
eople ask me why I enjoy coaching in this with them, for them, and that as people. You need to know this to I’m looking forward to getting back
Pso much. I have been involved every players’ development is equally know what makes them tick. Every on the ice and running the Seaway
in coaching upper-level competitive important to me. Creating healthy player responds to different methods Valley Minor Hockey Associations
hockey in the area for decades, and relationships with the athletes you to motivate them. All need positive summer sessions, and coaching the
as society has changed through the coach is very important. I try to set reinforcement, but certain players U15 AA team in the fall.