Ok, so I am now entering my first year as an assistant football coach for my sons team and let me tell you all about the experiences I have had. We have NOT even had a practice yet.
So when deciding where my son should play football, me,my ex wife and her husband decided to let our son play for a organization formed only one year ago. This is indeed a great organization who are trying to teach the young men football along with many other important lessons to becoming a man. Only problem with that is what they expect the parents and/or the coaches to endure.
It all started last December when a football recruiter approached my ex wife at a basketball game at which my son was playing. Yeah I said recruiter. He stated that the program was looking for bright kids with any kind of athletic ability. He passed on his website and told her to give them some serious thought when choosing a team to play for. She shares this experience with me and I was all for it. This was our first step at becoming a football player.
April hit and he were right in the middle of a great baseball season when I was contacted and asked if I were interested in becoming an assistant coach. I was hesitant at first but eventually jumped at the chance to become even closer to my son. Didn't hurt that football is and always was my first love.lol. Then I was sent the requirements and contract information. Wow, suddenly I wasn't sure again
First off each and every kid, parent, and coach must sign a very lengthy contract. Mostly just rules about being a good sport and doing things that are in the best interest of each and every child. No contract= No play. Secondly all coaches are to go through a rigorous teaching and training program to help aid in the entire coaching experience.
I have had to get and pay for ($50) a FBI criminal check. Fingerprints in all. No biggie for me. I am as clean as they come. But I wasn't too happy about footing the bill. Next i had to attend a class to better help mentor our kids. Another $30 out of my wallet. Did I mention that we had to pay for all of our pads and jerseys. That was $350. I also attended at mandatory coaches clinic that lasted an entire weekend. Bill of $20 which paid for food. No problem there, I have to eat. But the whole weekend was just about lost. I was also involved in a one hour conference call which started at 10:30 last night with the rest of the assistant coaches in the organization+ team parents. There was about 100 of us on the line I believe.
Ok enough bitching, Now lets talk about our schedule. Football practice is 3 nights a week for 2.5 hours a night and our first game is in 3 weeks. Oh, and practice starts tonight. I am indeed looking forward to it and cant wait til the games. So it is looking like from now until November I will be pretty tied up. Hope you all don't miss me.
Oh and one more thing. Did I mention that my son was only 7 years old...
