ALITHSA Volunteer Recognition Program

Coach Bruce Patterson - U10 Girls

ALITHSA would like to recognize U10 Girls Coach Bruce Patterson for his "above and beyond" volunteer work.

One of the many nominations he received said:

"Coach Bruce Patterson in U10 has been great! He is and has always been available to both parents and players throughout the season. Always keeping the parents very well informed. One of the great things about coach Patterson is that he always gives the girls positive remarks and makes them feel like being a very important part of the team. Never have I seen or heard him put any of our players down. Coach Patterson always tells them what a great job they are doing no matter what. Thank you Coach for being so great with our girls. Goooo SHAMROCKS."

We took a few minutes of Bruce's time to get to know him better.

ALITHSA:

How long have you been involved in soccer and in what forms?

Bruce:

In 1998 I started as a sideline parent for our first daughter and then a sideline parent for our second daughter in 2000. Last year our second daughter still wanted to play but there was a problem with not enough parent coaches for the Girls U10 teams. Through support and encouragement from other parents/wife/work, I agreed to signup as a coach for ALITHSA.

My coaching and playing background in soccer was limited in 1998 but through conversations with people who used to play the game, watching play, having coached other sports and reading up on soccer. I have a BASIC understanding of the game.

ALITHSA:

What are the three top things for you as a coach?

Bruce:

1. The general good feeling the kids have towards each other.
2. The respect and interest each player gives to me.
3. The understanding and support each parent gives us coaches.

ALITHSA:

What ways do you communicate with the parents and how can we learn from your experiences?

Bruce:

I communicate with Players and Parents through email and Phone calls. I have some other great coaches on our team that helps with calling and communicating at team practices.

Learn from My experiences?
a. Make sure email address are correct.
b. Get cell # of other coaches / parents.
c. Give good directions to game/practice field.
d. Give the team moms everything they need.
e. Make sure you have a backup parent/coach at practice.
f. Keep the parents informed.

ALITHSA:

Positive reinforcement seems to be important to you. Can you share your experiences with challenges and successes in this area?

Bruce:

A positive comment is probably one of the easiest part of being a coach. As you know each player, parent and coach have different knowledge and skills levels and it's is not in my nature to be negative.

ALITHSA:

Please tell us about your most special soccer memory or event.

Bruce:

Soccer memory. The feeling and smiles the players have when they play a good game. Hearing that the Players are talking about a practice or game and the fun they had with a new friend from the team.

Special Event. The good feeling we all had after the Cary Tournament last fall. A parent had green hair spray and Everyone had green Hair, The players, Our Mascot and Me.

ALITHSA:

How in your mind can we make soccer in ALITHSA as creative and fun as possible?

Bruce

I am still learning and overall ALITHSA is good for both Parents and Players. Regarding online signup. Have some way to send out email only to players and parents who have not registered or a web site showing who has signed up and who has not. Last year even though parents have signed up and were confirmed during signup or re-renrolling. We all still get mass emails telling people to sign up. Kind of gives you a feeling that your name fell through a registration hole.

ALITHSA:

Anything special you would like to share with all of us in ALITHSA about being a volunteer?

Bruce

The best part of being a coach is the support the parents give me. Our asst. Coaches and Mothers make this an easier job and it would be impossible without them.

My support team and Honorable Mentions:
Tiffany St Pierre
Laurie Grey
Jim Lecture
Tom Van Der Bosch

Go Shamrocks.

BTW, the reason we are called the Shamrocks is because during our first practice last year one girl found a 4 leaf clover on the field. I don't know about you but that was the first time I had ever seen one.

ALITHSA:

Thank you Bruce!

If you know of any ALITHSA coach, asst. coach, team mom, referee or coordinator that goes above and beyond, please let us know about it. We want to regularly recognize those that stand out from the crowd.

Please send your nominations and the reason for the nomination to mvp@alithsa.org.

Home Page Recreational Program Travel Program Registration Parent Participation Rec Schedules NRSL Schedules Travel Schedules FAQ Medical Waiver Form Maps to Parks Incident Report Form Volunteer Recognition Referee Information The Laws of the Game ALITHSA Constitution Board Meeting Minutes Contact Us		ALITHSA Volunteer Recognition Program Coach Bruce Patterson - U10 Girls ALITHSA would like to recognize U10 Girls Coach Bruce Patterson for his "above and beyond" volunteer work. One of the many nominations he received said: "Coach Bruce Patterson in U10 has been great! He is and has always been available to both parents and players throughout the season. Always keeping the parents very well informed. One of the great things about coach Patterson is that he always gives the girls positive remarks and makes them feel like being a very important part of the team. Never have I seen or heard him put any of our players down. Coach Patterson always tells them what a great job they are doing no matter what. Thank you Coach for being so great with our girls. Goooo SHAMROCKS." We took a few minutes of Bruce's time to get to know him better. ALITHSA: How long have you been involved in soccer and in what forms? Bruce: In 1998 I started as a sideline parent for our first daughter and then a sideline parent for our second daughter in 2000. Last year our second daughter still wanted to play but there was a problem with not enough parent coaches for the Girls U10 teams. Through support and encouragement from other parents/wife/work, I agreed to signup as a coach for ALITHSA. My coaching and playing background in soccer was limited in 1998 but through conversations with people who used to play the game, watching play, having coached other sports and reading up on soccer. I have a BASIC understanding of the game. ALITHSA: What are the three top things for you as a coach? Bruce: 1. The general good feeling the kids have towards each other. 2. The respect and interest each player gives to me. 3. The understanding and support each parent gives us coaches. ALITHSA: What ways do you communicate with the parents and how can we learn from your experiences? Bruce: I communicate with Players and Parents through email and Phone calls. I have some other great coaches on our team that helps with calling and communicating at team practices. Learn from My experiences? a. Make sure email address are correct. b. Get cell # of other coaches / parents. c. Give good directions to game/practice field. d. Give the team moms everything they need. e. Make sure you have a backup parent/coach at practice. f. Keep the parents informed. ALITHSA: Positive reinforcement seems to be important to you. Can you share your experiences with challenges and successes in this area? Bruce: A positive comment is probably one of the easiest part of being a coach. As you know each player, parent and coach have different knowledge and skills levels and it's is not in my nature to be negative. ALITHSA: Please tell us about your most special soccer memory or event. Bruce: Soccer memory. The feeling and smiles the players have when they play a good game. Hearing that the Players are talking about a practice or game and the fun they had with a new friend from the team. Special Event. The good feeling we all had after the Cary Tournament last fall. A parent had green hair spray and Everyone had green Hair, The players, Our Mascot and Me. ALITHSA: How in your mind can we make soccer in ALITHSA as creative and fun as possible? Bruce I am still learning and overall ALITHSA is good for both Parents and Players. Regarding online signup. Have some way to send out email only to players and parents who have not registered or a web site showing who has signed up and who has not. Last year even though parents have signed up and were confirmed during signup or re-renrolling. We all still get mass emails telling people to sign up. Kind of gives you a feeling that your name fell through a registration hole. ALITHSA: Anything special you would like to share with all of us in ALITHSA about being a volunteer? Bruce The best part of being a coach is the support the parents give me. Our asst. Coaches and Mothers make this an easier job and it would be impossible without them. My support team and Honorable Mentions: Tiffany St Pierre Laurie Grey Jim Lecture Tom Van Der Bosch Go Shamrocks. BTW, the reason we are called the Shamrocks is because during our first practice last year one girl found a 4 leaf clover on the field. I don't know about you but that was the first time I had ever seen one. ALITHSA: Thank you Bruce! If you know of any ALITHSA coach, asst. coach, team mom, referee or coordinator that goes above and beyond, please let us know about it. We want to regularly recognize those that stand out from the crowd. Please send your nominations and the reason for the nomination to mvp@alithsa.org.