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Reflections of a first time soccer coach

Posted : 05 November 2009

I've no way to know how many of the readers of this little missive have any experience at coaching or volunteering to work with kids, but wanted to take a moment to share with all a few thoughts on my experiences as a first time coach with the Jakarta Youth Soccer league. First, I should say that my involvement with the League and with coaching was predicated on my experience as a beneficiary of the excellent work of the other volunteer coaches and organizers that came before me. In watching them and admiring all of their hard work and their devotion to the children and to the sport, I was inspired to volunteer my own time and to make some small contribution to the well being of the League and each of the children that have benefited from their volunteering and involvement.

I had the opportunity last season to observe the Jakarta Youth Soccer league and then the Coca Cola League as the parent of a player and to share in the fun and excitement, the passion and the dedication that goes into all of it. I decided that it would be even more satisfying to give my own time to volunteer as a coach in this season of Jakarta Youth Soccer and I've certainly not been disappointed.

I was speaking with League organizers last night at a Halloween function, reflecting on the last ten weeks or so of Jakarta Youth Soccer and describing my experiences in volunteering and what it has meant to me personally and how it has enriched my life in ways that I didn't anticipate when I first threw my name in the hat. I was describing how I look forward to the training sessions and to the games, as I have found, quite unexpectedly, that the trainings and the games serve as a time that is carved out for me each week where I am completely focused on nothing but working with the kids and not distracted by anything else; no blackberry email, no cell phone calls, no concerns about what may be happening at the office. As I've enjoyed the opportunity to watch each member of the team continue to develop as a player and to see the team come together as a unit, it's been very beneficial to me in some of the same ways that I once enjoyed when I had a garden of my own. When I was tending my garden and cultivating all the good things about it and encouraging the positive growth, it was an opportunity to focus exclusively on that and to get away from the distractions of work and the office. The players on my team are so responsive to positive encouragement and each lesson that we share, and there is a certain joy in watching them play, and in witnessing them cooperate as a team and work together toward a mutual goal. It is the sort of thing that is often aspired to, but too rarely achieved in the professional world.

I write this to encourage any of you parents of players or others out there who are considering volunteering your time and energy to Jakarta Youth Soccer league. I urge you to go ahead and contact the League and volunteer, as I believe that you will find it enriching on several levels, both personally and professionally. It will give you an opportunity to contribute to the lives of children in many ways, some of which you may find unexpectedly fulfilling for yourself as you make new friends with parents and the other volunteer coaches and contribute to the success of the League as well. 

Matt Spelsberg
Team Indonesia U11 2009

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