LAC LA BICHE – Lac La Biche Football Club (LLBFC) is looking for more people to volunteer to coach young soccer players this outdoor season.
Wayne Mah, coaching director for LLBFC, said finding volunteer coaches has been a challenge for the soccer organization.
There are various reasons this, he said, noting the time commitment is one of the biggest barriers for many people.
Coaching isn’t merely just about showing up to games, said Mah. Being a coach involves planning practices, completing online certifications, communicating with parents, and sometimes dealing with conflicts.
“For many potential volunteers, balancing this with work and family responsibilities can be difficult,” Mah acknowledged.
Another challenge when trying to recruit volunteer coaches are the mandatory online courses and criminal record checks required. While these requirements are important for player safety and development, some people find them time-consuming, even though those who would like to become coaches can complete them at their own pace, said Mah.
While some people may feel hesitant to coach soccer if they’ve never played the sport themselves, prior experience is not necessary.
“The online courses and support from the club provide all the knowledge needed to be an effective coach,” he said.
Ultimately, youth sports rely on community support and without volunteers, young people miss out on the opportunity to play, grow, and be part of a team.
“We need more people to step up - not just for the sport but for the kids who benefit from it,” said Mah.
Even though coaches sign on as volunteers, they do receive some compensation when they accompany teams outside of Lac La Biche for games and tournaments.
According to Mah, LLBFC has updated its policies to help support non-parent volunteer coaches by providing compensation for travel costs to league games, tournaments, as well as attending provincials.
“This is a step toward making coaching more accessible for those who are willing to contribute but may have financial concerns,” he said.
“For the kids, having dedicated coaches means they can develop not only their soccer skills but also gain important life lessons like teamwork, discipline, and perseverance,” he said.
For more information about becoming a volunteer coach with Lac La Biche FC, contact Wayne Mah at [email protected].
