Be a Positive Role Model

Most children will say that their role model or idol is someone famous, but it is the people they see everyday that have the biggest influence.  A role model is a person whose behaviour or success can be emulated by others, especially young people.  This includes, parents, siblings, teachers and even coaches; each person plays a significant role in the development of that child.  

Professionalism

'Practice what you preach,' yes, it's an old saying but it still applies.  Children will notice your behaviour and there is nothing worse that being seen as a hypocrite.  As a coach, you are in a position of power and have the chance to teach social behaviours that will not only assist your athletes in play, but in everyday life. 

Encouragement 

Sometimes your athletes will not feel like they can accomplish the task set before them, but with positive coaching there is a potential for them to go further than they ever dreamed possible.  Encouragement, coupled with goal setting will help them establish a commitment and mentality to achieve what they set out to do.

Sportsmanship

Trying to set a standard in sportsmanship and proper etiquette can make for a great sporting environment.  Showing respect for other athletes help children understand that you can still be a successful person without stepping on other people's toe's.
 
Most of the time, verbal and non-verbal behaviour is learned by observation and interaction. If a child looks up to you, they are more likely to follow your example, and as a coach, you are in a position to leave a lasting impression on your young athletes, so make it a great one!  
 

References from the SIRC Collection
 

1. Gilbert W, Trudel P. Role of the Coach: How Model Youth Team Sport Coaches Frame Their Roles. Sport Psychologist. March 2004;18(1):21-43.

2. Harwood C. Enhancing Coach-Parent Relationships in Youth Sports: Increasing Harmony and Minimizing Hassle. International Journal Of Sports Science & Coaching. March 2011;6(1):61-64.

3. Lubrano K. FIVE LESSONS for developing a good environment for youth players. Soccer Journal. September 2009;54(5):32.

4. Raph F. `Coaching is a privilege'. Coach & Athletic Director. September 1998;68(2):15.

What Makes a Good Coach?. ASCA Newsletter. May 2010;2010(5):1-3.

And the Winners are...

The Impact of Applied Research on Athletic Excellence - High Performance Category is awarded to: 

Dr. Kim Dorsch from the University of Regina for her paper titled "The relationship between the extent and the intensity of stressful experience of Canadian minor hockey officials."

Dr. Dorsch's specialty involves the social psychology of physical activity and health, focused specifically on aspects of sport psychology.  Currently her research is focused on enhancing the performance of officials and on aspects of the physical environment (i.e. the inclusion of body checking) that impact upon young ice hockey athletes' psycho-social perceptions and behaviours.  Congratulations to Dr. Dorsch!

 

The Impact of Sport on the Community - Community Category is awarded to:

Marie-Josée Perrier, M.Sc., from Queen's University for her paper titled, "The Health Action Process Approach and athletic identity predict sport participation among individuals with acquired, physical disabilities."

Marie-Josée is a Kinesiology PhD candidate at Queen's University who holds a Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council.  Her background is in Epidemiology and Health Psychology with a strong emphasis on quantitative research methods.  Her doctoral research program addresses inequities in sport participation for individuals with physical disabilities.  Congratulations to Marie-Josée!

The SIRC Research Award recognizes outstanding sport research in Canada.  Acknowledging how sport research benefits the Canadian sporting community is the primary purpose of this award.  

We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to all of our judges and the following sponsors for their support: CIHR - Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, and Arthritis, EBSCO Host and Coaches of Canada.  If you would like to read the winning papers, they are now available on our website.  Once again, thank you to all who participated. 

SIRC at the CASEM Conference!

The SIRC virtual resource centre is on the road this week in Kelowna, BC attending the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine (CASEM) conference. It is great talking to the sports medicine community and helping them out with their questions in the area of sport medicine and preventive health interventions.

Some of the topics being discussed include:

• Exercise as a modality for chronic disease prevention 
• Exercise as disease management 
• Concussion research, prevention and management (including adaptations for women and youth) 
• Ethics for team physicians 
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) research 
• Advocating for healthy lifestyles 

SIRC is pleased to be in partnership with CASEM to support medical professionals working in the area of sport and active living through SIRC membership.

Great conference CASEM!!

International Olympic Day - June 23

Join the hundreds of thousands of people around the world on June 23 to celebrate Olympic Day! Olympic Day is not only a celebration, but an international effort to promote fitness and well-being in sport for everyone across the globe regardless of their age, gender or athletic ability.

Due to WWII, the Olympic Games had not been held in 1940 or 1944 so the city of London rose to host the XIV Games after the war.  In January 1948, the International Olympic Committee, (mainly due to the efforts of Pierre de Coubertin), approved the idea of Olympic Day as a sort of “birthday” of the Olympic Movement.  

Celebrated annually to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games at the Sorbonne in Paris, Olympic Day was originally held on June 23, 1948 with a total of 9 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) hosting ceremonies in their respective countries, with Canada being one of the original participants.  This day is meant to inspire people to adopt and apply the Olympic Values (excellence, fun, fairness, respect, personal growth, leadership and peace).

If you would like to join in the celebrations, the Olympic Fair will be held in Ottawa this weekend on Rideau Grounds and will be in conjunction with the CHEO Teddy Bear Picnic.  We are also having a Teddy Bear Prize Pack Giveaway where you can enter to win here.

This is an opportunity to launch a "call to action" to every Canadian to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.  This is also a great time to thank the many volunteers who are instrumental in promoting healthy lifestyles and the Olympic Values.  We look forward to seeing you at the Olympic Fair!

 References from the SIRC Collection

 

1. Celebrate Olympic Day. Parks & Recreation. June 2010;45(6):48.

2. Espagnac S. Olympic Day and a culture of peace. Olympic Review. December 2000;27(36):20-22.

3. Landon C, Leenheer D. Olympic Day Celebrates Coaches. Olympic Coach. Summer2011 2011;22(1):25-26.

4.  Olympic Day 2011. JOPERD: The Journal Of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance. April 2011;82(4):3.