THE COACH'S week begins on a Sunday night reviewing what happened during the weekend’s game and what the kids need to learn at training during the week. They will draw up the weekly session plan for training and hope they can implement it. The coach then prepares to spend 40-50 hours at his/her real job which pays the bills...

During the week, a parent may message the coach telling them of issues and problems their child might be having, either at soccer or at school or at home.The coach will often need to find their own way to look after that kid to make sure they are OK.

Come training night/s the coach dashes out of work early, attends to any domestic duties like picking up their own kids from school or making a quick phone call to family or friends. The coach needs to be there at least 30 mins before everyone else so they can make sure the balls are pumped and the cones are set up for the first drill and to make sure the pitch is clear of dangerous objects.

Once this is done, the coach spends time with the new or naughty kid who they have requested to come to training early so they can kick the ball around with them to help build their confidence and keep them engaged so they can enjoy training a bit more.

During the session, the kids need to be taught the purpose of the drill so the coach gives a demonstration. Whilst the kids are running around inevitably there will be the disruptive kid who wants to muck around. The coach needs to encourage a spirited and fun session but balance it out with ensuring the kids stay focussed and disciplined so they can keep learning.

While the kids take a well-earned drinks break, the coach collects all the stray balls and then needs to quickly prepare another drill based around the session plan he/she drew up earlier in the week.Some kids haven’t made it to training so the drill needs to be changed meaning the coach needs to think on their feet.

Some drills don’t work out and the kids lose interest quickly, the coach needs to find a way to make it more fun otherwise kids will find other (often mischievous) ways to amuse themselves. The kid who has been low on confidence makes a nice pass, the coach quickly goes over to give them a high 5 and tell them he/she is proud of them bringing a warm smile on that child’s face.

The talented kid is slackening off, the coach needs to have a word to them and remind them they need to stay focussed because can do better. The naughty kid is mucking around again and the coach needs to remind them that it isn’t fair they disrupt the other kids who are still training. The kids are itching for a proper game so the coach needs to quickly sort them into two even teams and set up a makeshift pitch.

During the game some kids start hogging the ball amongst their friends so the coach needs to encourage them to pass it around so everyone gets involved. The ball goes on the road and the coach needs to scream at the kid chasing the ball to stay off the road. Come the end of the hour-long session the coach is tired but needs to pack up in the dark.

The kids are tired but happy so the coach is feeling good. He/she then chats to all the parents and reminds them the details of the coming Sundays game, including time and location as well as pass on information from the club committee. The last kid is still there so whilst waiting for their parent to pick them up the coach kicks a ball around with them to keep them entertained.

The last kid has been picked up. The coach needs to go to the club house and talk to the committee and get any information needed including future club fundraisers, outstanding regos etc.

The committee also let the coach know some parent has complained because they don't want their child being made to sit down even though they have mucked around. The coach needs to find a way to make them behave. There is time for a quick cup of tea if they are lucky.

The coach then goes home and grabs some takeout along the way, then messages all of the parent’s details of the upcoming game, as well as information on club fundraisers, whilst trying to organise a social night out for the kids. The coach then makes plans for the social night out trying to find something that will keep everyone happy.

The next day the coach spends their lunch break ringing around various third parties to organise fun events for the kids like a bowling night or an opportunity to play at halftime of an a league game.

Come Saturday night the coach needs to make sure they have all the gear packed for the next morning as well as determine the structure of the team for the game the next day including playing positions. A night out with friends can’t go too late and needs to be cut short as the coach needs to be up early the next morning to attend to his/her coaching duties.

Its early Sunday morning and its raining with icy winds to boot. The coach drags him/herself out of bed and checks his phone to see if any parents have messaged. If the coach has kids, they need to be fed and dressed and packed into the car. Inevitably as the coach walks out the door there is a late SMS or phone call from a parent asking details about the game or letting them know their kid is sick and can’t make it.

After a quick drive by Maccas, the coach turns up 30 mins before the game and works out which kid will play in what position. The kids start turning up full of excitement and anticipation of how many goals they may kick or save. 15 mins before the game the coach does a warm up with a bunch of energetic kids telling them what he/she wants from them during the game as well as reminding them we are a team. Its 5 mins before the game and not everyone has turned up.

There is a late phone call from a parent asking the coach where the ground is, the coach needs to play Navman. Some kids haven’t brought the right jersey, the coach rummages through his bag to pull out a spare one. The coach quickly changes the team around as some kids are late or won’t show up.

The game has started and as it is mini roos and no proper referees are assigned the coach referees 1 half of the game. The coach needs to encourage the kids and make sure everyone from both sides is involved.

The kids on the bench are itching to get on so the coach needs to check his watch every few mins and make regular subs. Its halftime and the kids get stuck into oranges while the coach gathers their thoughts. A kid hasn’t brought any water so the coach needs to find some to keep them hydrated. The coach needs to have a quick chat and tell the kids what they are doing well and what they need to improve on and come up with ideas for the second half.

The other coach takes over the refereeing duties so the coach can finally have a proper crack at coaching. A kid gets hit in the face so the coach goes over and makes sure they are ok and give them a pat on the back. A quick sub is needed. The coach needs to make sure all the kids are involved and having fun and getting equal playing time so parents and kids are kept happy.

The game is over and the kids are tired. The coach needs to have a chat to them and give them a huge pat on the back for turning up and having a go. Some advice need to be given so the kids can keep learning. An award is then distributed to the player of the match. Whilst the kid shows of his/her trophy the coach packs up the gear and makes sure no balls or equipment are missing.

The coach can finally breathe and the busy week is finally over...
...then some kids grab the coach and gives him/her a big hug to show him/her how much they appreciate what their coach means to them and so they can be re-assured how much the coach genuinely cares for them.

The parents say thankyou for looking after their kids and for giving them a fun experience...at this point the coach breaks into a smile and knows it was all worth it.

Then Sunday night rolls around again…the coach re-charges the batteries and away we go again..."