West St. Paul Mini Soccer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mini Soccer Coaches Corner:

 

Volunteer Coaches are NEEDED in order to run the Micro/Mini Soccer Program!  Without volunteers to coach, the program will not be able to operate.

We try hard to organize at least 2 co-coaches per team so that if someone is not able to attend then there could be an alternate there to help with the team!

Here is a basic rundown of what coaches are responsible for:

• Picking up Soccer Equipment from the Access Centre, bringing it to each game and returning it at the end of the season
• Introducing yourself to your team, communicating game schedules and being present at each game
• Running a few warm-up exercises with kids (e.g. a lap around the field, stretching, jumping jacks, arm circles, etc.).
• Running soccer drills and skills before games (e.g. dribbling a ball around cones, practicing shooting on net, etc.). 
• Help ensure players get equal playing time (substitute lines approximately every 3 minutes).
• Make sure players stay on the field when they are playing and on the sidelines when they are not playing.
• Help teach good sportsmanship. Encourage players to cheer on their teammates and congratulate the other team for a game well played!

At this age, you don’t need to be a professional soccer player to coach your child’s team. In fact, it’s completely okay if you’ve never played soccer before. The goal is for everyone to have fun at this level. These leagues are designed to provide all players with lots of opportunity to touch the ball in a positive environment. They are designed to expose young children to the basics of dribbling, passing and shooting.  It’s more about teaching kids how to be a team player.

We will not be taking any special requests regarding team placements, playing with another player, etc... unless there is a commitment to volunteer to Coach, Assistant Coach, act as Team Manager, etc...  Only those who VOLUNTEER will have their request considered (one request per registration).  Without volunteers, the program will not be able to operate.  Volunteers can be mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, big brother, big sister, auntie, uncle or cousin!   

 

CANCELLATIONS AND ATTENDANCE  

Contacting Coaches / Cancellations or Inclement Weather 

Cancellations (due to weather) are at both coaches’ discretion. Parents are encouraged to advise coaches as soon as possible if their child will be absent so they can plan accordingly. If either coach needs to cancel a game this allows them to be respectful and contact the other coach with as much notice as possible.  

 

JERSEYS AND EQUIPMENT 

Jerseys  

Coaches have been provided with team jerseys and will be distributed at the first game.  We have attempted to provide various sizes but perfect fits for all are unlikely. Parents will need to provide a $50 deposit to their coach at the beginning of the season BYCHEQUE ONLY addressed to RM of West St. Paul to ensure coaches are not responsible for cash. All jerseys need to be returned to the coach at the last season game, at that time the cheque will be returned to parents.  

Equipment 

Each team is provided with a pop-up soccer net, cones, and soccer balls. Teams are provided with enough balls for each child on the team. At the end of the season, each child will be able to take home a ball.

All players should have shin guards, cleats are recommended not necessary and a water bottle.

 

Team Pictures 

Pictures will be scheduled by the coaches. Please contact them directly to schedule your team photos- 

• teams@rickfriesenphotography.com

Players need to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time in their soccer uniform. Players with longer hair are encouraged to tie it back. The photographer this year will be Rick Friesen Photography; forms will be emailed once available. The photos will be taken in the back at the Mini Fields.  

 

Resources for Coaches & Players – including trailing drills, skills and practice plans:

 Canada Soccer Pathway Coach’s Tool Kit:

Stage One – ACTIVE START U5 & U6

Stage Two – FUNdamentals  U6, U7 & U8

Manitoba Soccer Association (MSA) Grassroots Practice Plans for U5-U18 Soccer

MSA’s Technical Department provides weekly practice plans for Active Start, FUNdamentals, and Learn to Train Coaches

FCNW Training Drills:

U5    U6    U7    U8

 

Canada Soccer Grassroots Coaching Course

Coaches can take the Canada Soccer Grassroots Coaching Course for the age group you plan to Coach. (Not 100% required, but GREAT TO HAVE)

• Active Start – U4-U6
• FUNdamentals – U6-U9
• LEARN TO TRAIN – U9-U12
• SOCCER FOR LIFE – U13 +

The theoretical portion of the Coaching Courses are completed ONLINE through Canada Soccer – click HERE to sign up

The on-field practical portion of the Coaches Courses are completed through Manitoba Soccer Association - Info TBA!

ALL RECEIPTS are to be submitted to  recreation@weststpaul.com for reimbursements

 

Respect in Sport (RIS) for Activity Leaders (Good for 5 years) (Not 100% required, but GREAT TO HAVE)

Free Course offered ONLINE through Sport Manitoba

If you have completed RIS in the past - click on "Click here to look it up" and input your email address that you would have used.  You will be able to see your certification date.  From that date your certification is good for 5 years.

If the date is past 5 years they will need to click "Click here to re-certify"

Coaches Clinic & RIS Certificates will need to be sent to recreation@weststpaul.com upon completion!

 

• U3/4 CO-ED SCHEDULE
• Monday & Wednesday – 6pm (40 mins)
• Games are scheduled at Access Centre Mini Fields – 48 Holland Rd.
• Structure: 3v3 with no goalie. Sessions are broken up into 2 sections- 20 min warm up & drills/activity, 20 min game

 

 

 

• U5/6 CO-ED SCHEDULE
• Tuesday & Thursday – 6pm (60 mins)
• Games are scheduled at Access Centre Mini Fields – 48 Holland Rd.
• Structure: 4v4 with no goalie. Sessions are broken up into 2 sections- 30 min warm up & drills/activity, 30 min game

 

  

 

Parent Involvement

Although we have dedicated volunteer coaches, we still highly recommend that parents/caregivers assist their children on the field. On-field parental involvement is encouraged in mini soccer programs for several key reasons, all aimed at creating a positive and developmental environment for young players:

·        Creating a Comfortable and Safe Environment: For very young children (e.g., ages 2-5), having a parent nearby can ease anxiety and help them feel more secure in a new environment with new people and activities. This can make the initial introduction to soccer a more positive experience.

·        Increased Engagement and Focus: Parental presence and encouragement can help keep young children engaged in the activities and focused on the coach's instructions. This is particularly true for the youngest age groups where attention spans are shorter.

·        Facilitating Participation: Some young children may need a parent's physical assistance or gentle encouragement to participate in drills and games. Parents can help guide them, keep them on task, and bring them back to the group if they become distracted.

·        Positive Role Modeling: Parents on the field can model positive behavior, such as listening to the coach, encouraging all players, and demonstrating good sportsmanship. This helps children learn these important values through observation.

 

 

 

• Weather Conditions
• Games are played come rain, snow, or shine. Only extreme weather (lightening) or hazardous field conditions (soaked fields) will cause cancellations. Lightning must be present, not forecast.
• Sometimes, games get played in both wet and cold weather. Splash pants (over shorts) and a light jacket (under jerseys) are allowed in these conditions.
• WYSA (Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association) posts on game days if games will be called off due to weather. Since WSP sometimes has weather different from other parts of the city, please connect with the coach/es from the other team if you are cancelling the game.  There have been times where we've experienced a downpour and other parts of the city were dry.  
• Visit the WYSA Website for info on Cancellations
• WYSA Twitter
• WYSA Facebook
• Manitoba Soccer Association Weather Guidelines

 Please see schedule.