Having a good coach can change a participant’s life. Being a great coach can change yours.
Coaching is a calling. People become coaches for a number of reasons. Coaching is an excellent way to further your personal and professional development. It’s not just about helping shape the skills and character of participants or being connected to your sport of choice. Being a coach helps you build valuable skills, such as communication, organization, motivation, and even your emotional intelligence.
Coaching can also give you a strong sense of purpose. According to the Ontario Coaching Report by the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO), when coaches in Ontario were asked why they do it, their #1 answer was “giving back to the community.”
There is a more internal benefit to coaching that you should know about: Improving these skills through the coaching experience can greatly enhance your confidence and performance at work, as well as at home.
Sharpen your communication
Coaches need to communicate with a diverse group of participants, parents, and colleagues. This can help build your public speaking and negotiating skills. And if you’re an English or French learner who wants lots of opportunities to improve, coaching can provide that as well. As a coach, you will find that these improvements in your communication abilities will help you express yourself effectively in all aspects of your life.
Teach yourself how to be a better organizer
A coach is called upon to organize the team on and off the field. So beyond providing athletic training and strategy to the team members, coaches often organize fundraisers, travel to and from tournaments, handle uniform purchase, paperwork, and more. Working with colleagues to meet all of these demands can help you be a more effective worker and/or parent, preparing you to overcome all kinds of challenges with a winning attitude.
Build your motivation and other leadership skills
Keeping your team motivated is not easy, but coaches have lots of practice. They are able to bring their strong motivational skills into all aspects of their lives. For example, in a business or community meeting, coaches can speak with confidence and authority. At home and in the neighbourhood, a coach provides an inspiring example of leadership.
Be a positive influence
Coaches have a strong positive influence on the lives of their participants. As positive role models to their participants, coaches are often in situations where they must help their athletes through times of growth. A trusted coach is sometimes needed not only to develop the skills of participants within a sport, but also to model healthy behaviours. This can help you build empathy and listening skills that will help you on and off the field.
Find a sense of purpose
Teachers and others who help develop growth in others feel a strong sense of purpose in what they do. Coaching can provide that as well. There is no greater satisfaction than helping a person develop into their best self, and coaching can give you that experience over and over again, while also introducing new generations to your favourite sport.
Start your journey of self-improvement as a coach!
There are sporting organizations in your community who need coaches right now. You can start your journey by visiting the "Become a Coach" page on the Coaching Association of Canada’s website at [subsite URL], where we’ll how you the steps you can take to become a coach.
There are many modules that can be accessed for free, and on your own schedule using your mobile device or desktop. We’ve added new supportive functions like voiceovers, and an accessibility feature to help users take their training in a way that works best for them.
Help others enjoy the valuable benefits of coaching
Know other potential great coaches? Ask them to join the team and see what coaching can do for them.