Tonight, a gaggle of dedicated coaches who have given up their Monday nights for the last 8 weeks will step on the court for the last time as the coaching staff of the Arizona Region Instructional Fall League.
Players that didn’t play on the middle or high school teams, for whatever reason, came out to Court One and were put together by skill level and every week, were trained in one skill and then played the last 90 minutes of the practice.
These coaches were from all walks of life and in all different places in them.
There is Rob, a 49 year old senior Loan officer and a 16’s club coach who came on board to, “Expand my coaching knowledge.”
Kirk is a 52 year old Auto Claims handler who is an assistant coach for a club team in Phoenix. In his second go round with the Fall league, Kirk said, “I had the pleasure of being a part of the Fall League last year, and I couldn’t wait to do it again! The kids come with such enthusiasm and a willingness to take instruction that it is a great pleasure to be on the court with them. I love seeing them progress from awkward to smooth, from unsure to confident. It’s also a great opportunity for me to meet other coaches and learn some new techniques and drills to bring to my teams. It’s a positive, low-pressure environment where the focus is on learning and playing instead of performance and competition, and the kids respond very strongly to it, which makes it easier and more fun to work with them. What’s not to like about that?
Becca is a 22 year old business development assistant and student. She is just starting her coaching career.
“I'm going back to school for physical therapy, and hope to be a pediatric physical therapist in the future. I thought learning to coach would be a great opportunity so that I could gain experience working with kids in an active, instructional environment.”
Joe is a 49 year old engineer who is also a club coach, but said, “I enjoy working with other coaches to share ideas and coaching philosophies. I also enjoy any opportunity to help a player advance their skill.”
Scott is a retired airline pilot who now calls coaching volleyball his profession. The 66 year old coaches club as well and said, “Anytime I am around coaches or student athletes I learn volleyball.”
Dani just turned 22 and works full time as a registered nurse. “I'm coaching at the Fall League because I love everything about volleyball and want to learn more. Last year in 2012, I was an assistant high school sand volleyball coach and assistant for the J.V. and Varsity Volleyball team.”
Karina is a 43 year old accountant who is also in her second year with the Fall league. “The reason why I enjoying coaching is I love volleyball and want to show kids how to play. I want them to understand the techniques they need to be able to play in college and love the sport as much as I do. Any time there is an opportunity to help kids learn volleyball I am there.”
Elena is a 22 year old student and former player who wants to get into coaching. “I wanted to coach Fall League because I had no idea which age group I was interested in coaching at first.”
Allen is a retired 65 year old who, “Just wanted to build my coaching knowledge.”
Jarrod is 13 year veteran with the Phoenix Fire Department. The 34 year old coaches 7-9 year olds and 10-12 year olds through their schools. “I like it because the girls are already playing for their school pride! I jumped in last winter season to cover for the coach who needed a break. I turned around their record drastically and had a good repoire with the Parents and Players who have requested me back ever since. The Volleyball bug has bitten me hard! I have been putting myself in any and all the Coaches clinics I can find. I took IMPACT at the Volleyball festival and I have been to Volleyball tournaments and camps so I can learn the art of coaching volleyball. This is why I was interested to be a part of the fall league for more exposure. I have enjoyed the fall league.”
Coaching isn’t the glorious profession that we think it is most of the time. None of these wonderful coaches will hold up a super bowl trophy or an NCAA Championship ring anytime soon, but they are here, coaching in the trenches. Not the best players, but players that want to learn and stay sharp. They came every Monday to help kids get better, to make themselves better, and ultimately, help make our sport better.
And that, one and all, IS glorious.
Thank you Fall League Coaching staff.
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