Volunteering – It’s Not Just About Match Days!
We all lead fairly hectic lives. No matter what you do, you’re probably always ferrying kids from pillar to post, or getting them to their next activity or club.Here at Locks Heath Lions, it’s no different. In fact, the vast majority of our coaches and club representatives are parents themselves, and as such we know too well how busy daily life can get.But if it wasn’t for the club volunteers, Locks Heath Lions would not exist.It’s not just simply turning up to a match: it’s all the other things that allow our kids to take part in football and the culmination of all the hard work, is the match itself. However, don’t think for a moment that coaches and club representatives do nothing more than that!
We have volunteers who run the financial accounting, organise fixtures, pitches and memberships, administer the club with the FA, liaise with the council… the list goes on. And then we have our dedicated coaches.
Being A Coach
Being a coach requires hard work, dedication, planning, organisation and an awful lot of time – time that is given up voluntarily. Let’s be clear, we do it because we enjoy it, not because we have to. We do it because we love seeing the enjoyment the kids get from football, and if that helps to develop them (personality, confidence, socially) then we hopefully are doing something for the parents too.
All of our coaches go through a number of different course and checks to ensure that they are not just qualified, but ready to deal with what get’s thrown at them.
This includes DBS checks, training around the FA’s RESPECT campaign, training and being assessed in becoming an officially licensed youth coach, how to safeguard children and of course basic first aid. This is so we can help bring football to the community and allow our children to grow in a team environment, where they learn, develop and understand key life skills that will help them as they grow up.
Can you help the Lions?
We’re always looking for volunteers and helpers. It doesn’t have to be a full-time role within the club – it could be by just helping out on match days, organising getting kids to the match, by putting up nets or running the line during a game.
Either way, all help is gratefully received!
If you feel you could do more, perhaps you would like to find out more about coaching, or assisting a coach, then please contact us.
