INSIDE DOUGLAS COLLEGE /JUNE 5, 1990

 

 

hildren who don’t learn to

respect rules at an early age

are usually the ones who
clobber each other with hockey
sticks when they’ve grown up.

That's why instilling respect is
one of the responsibilities of people
who coach kids, says Chris Johnson,
a Community Programmer at
Douglas College.

“We have to teach respect for
the rules, for referees, for op-
ponents,” says Johnson, author of a
new book called Every Coach’s
Planner & Idea Book.

“It’s designed to help a coach do
his or her job more efficiently,” says
Johnson, who’s taught coaching to
“five or six thousand people” in B.C.
“And it’s aimed at grassroots com-
munity coaches who are looking for
ideas.”

The book is broken down into
seven main areas: fair play codes,
administration, practice planning,
sports safety, partner activities,
mini-Olympics, and warmups/
coolups. “It should make practises a
bit more exciting and interesting,”
says Johnson.

The book is the first in a series

running of a club, team, or group. Johnson says careful
planning is the key to successful coaching, and that’s

Work-Study

The Work-Study Program
provides part-time employment (5
to 15 hours per week) to full-time
students.

Students must qualify on the
basis of financial need. Students
may work between 50 and 150
hours per semester.

Project submissions are now
being accepted from College
personnel. We are looking for
one-time (non-repeating) projects
that will be in addition to the nor-
mal on-going activities of the
department. Work-Study
application forms are available at
the Student Placement Office,
Room 2710.

The deadline for the Fall
Semester is August 15, 1990. @

why his book includes examples of
unit plans, lesson plans, game and
practice schedule plans, and
player’s registers that he designed.

“The lesson plans in the book
will make you more professional,
more credible, and ultimately more
effective,” he says.

“Most coaches coach the way
they were coached twenty years
ago. They keep repeating their mis-
takes.”

Johnson feels that more enjoy-
ment can be derived from sport if
the competitive element is de-em-
phasized in the early years of
children’s participation. This
would allow all kids to benefit from
lessons in teamwork, in discipline,
from exercise, and from all the
things that sport has to offer.

“We can adapt practice ac-
tivities so that the competitive ele-
ment is taken away, so that
everybody’s a winner and not just
the kids who are the most gifted.”

Writing the book was a
pleasure, says Johnson, and he
hopes that coaches and athletes can
gain from it. “We learn best by
doing, not by sitting around talking

Coaching
book
emphasizes
fair play, fun
for young
athletes

 

   

 

 

 

Chris Johnson

of publications that will help coaches in the day-to-day about it,” he says. “If I walk past a soccer field or a

baseball diamond and I see this book lying open, then
I'll be very happy,” says Chris Johnson.

Staff P.D. Day — A big success

The Staff Professional Development Day began with a wonderful
skit performed by the Douglas College Theatre students. “Their inter-
pretation of registration from the staff point of view was fabulous and set
a great tone for the rest of the day,” said Katie Parsons, one of the main
organizers of the P.D. Day.

Several staff and faculty gave presentations and an overview of their
area or projects they are currently working on in the Current Affairs sec-
tion.

“This information helped to make us aware of what was happening
in the College and was enjoyed by all,” says Parsons.

“The workshops were well attended and presenters like Jean Allan
and Chris Johnson kept our spirits high.”

In the Douglas Room, at the end of the day, Paul Taylor entertained
staff with his music and Judy Larson won the $50 door prize donated by
the Faculty Association. Other prizes were donated by the Douglas Col-
lege Bookstore, the Alumni Association, Finns Restaurant and the Burger
Haven.

“Thank you to all the staff who pitched in,” adds Parsons. “Your ef-
forts were appreciated by the participants and helped to make the day a
huge success!”

 

ace acme