ALITHSA Volunteer Recognition Program

Tim Landstrom - U5 and U8 Coach

ALITHSA would like to recognize Coach Tim Landstrom for his "above and beyond" volunteer work.

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

ALITHSA:

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

Tim:

I played a couple of years of recreational indoor soccer in my mid-20s and first volunteered as an assistant coach for my daughter's U6 team nearly 3 years ago. I now coach my daughter's U8 team and my son's U5 team.

ALITHSA:

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

Tim:

Coaching is an opportunity for me to give back to the children what I received as a child myself. Without volunteers, organized youth athletics wouldn't be possible and I believe the lessons learned by the children through their participation in youth athletics are invaluable. But, as a coach, what I receive in return from the players is also invaluable. The joy and achievement that the players experience are great motivators for me as a coach, as well. Knowing that the lessons learned by the players at this time help form a foundation for them to build on later in life is an awesome responsibility but also very rewarding as a coach and volunteer.

ALITHSA:

What in your view are the top three things for the players?

Tim:

I believe that organized athletics provides children an opportunity to come together as part of a team to accomplish something that they would be unable to do on their own. Each player is able to develop their individual talents and then see how their own gifts and abilities can be applied to the whole for the benefit of the entire group. Above all else, though, I truly believe that a priority for me as a coach is to ensure that each of the players comes to know that they are respected and appreciated for who they are and what they bring to the team, regardless of their physical abilities or soccer skills. If I fail them in this regard, if I do not promote an environment where the players have fun and know that they are appreciated, then I believe that I have failed the team and its players as its coach.

ALITHSA:

What can we teach our kids about playing soccer and who is your favorite soccer player (or other sport) role model?

Tim:

I think it is important to teach the kids the value of working together as a team as well as to emphasize how important it is to give 100% effort in all that they do. I believe that both of these ideals promote a selflessness that will help them in all their future endeavors. I honestly don't have a role model as I don't believe it is good to put anyone on a pedestal.

ALITHSA:

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

Tim:

What really stands out to me was being on the field as my daughter's U6 coach when she scored her first goal, since coaches are allowed on the field for that age group. It afforded me the opportunity to run up to her, pick her up, spin her around and give her a big hug!

ALITHSA:

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

Tim:

I like to give each player the opportunity to excel at whatever they are best at in the game. So long as they are enjoying themselves, I believe the game naturally becomes more interesting and exciting for them, providing them greater incentive to grow in the sport.

ALITHSA:

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

Tim:

Being a volunteer serving our youth is a rewarding and satisfying endeavor that I would recommend to anyone. As a volunteer, I have found that I have received back from my players a response and appreciation that is exponentially greater than my own perceived sacrifice or effort. The experience truly has been a blessing.

ALITHSA:

Thank you Tim!

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 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 Tim Landstrom - U5 and U8 Coach ALITHSA would like to recognize Coach Tim Landstrom for his "above and beyond" volunteer work. We took a few minutes of Tim's time to get to know him better. ALITHSA: How long have you been involved in soccer and in what forms? Tim: I played a couple of years of recreational indoor soccer in my mid-20s and first volunteered as an assistant coach for my daughter's U6 team nearly 3 years ago. I now coach my daughter's U8 team and my son's U5 team. ALITHSA: What are the three top things for you as a coach? Tim: Coaching is an opportunity for me to give back to the children what I received as a child myself. Without volunteers, organized youth athletics wouldn't be possible and I believe the lessons learned by the children through their participation in youth athletics are invaluable. But, as a coach, what I receive in return from the players is also invaluable. The joy and achievement that the players experience are great motivators for me as a coach, as well. Knowing that the lessons learned by the players at this time help form a foundation for them to build on later in life is an awesome responsibility but also very rewarding as a coach and volunteer. ALITHSA: What in your view are the top three things for the players? Tim: I believe that organized athletics provides children an opportunity to come together as part of a team to accomplish something that they would be unable to do on their own. Each player is able to develop their individual talents and then see how their own gifts and abilities can be applied to the whole for the benefit of the entire group. Above all else, though, I truly believe that a priority for me as a coach is to ensure that each of the players comes to know that they are respected and appreciated for who they are and what they bring to the team, regardless of their physical abilities or soccer skills. If I fail them in this regard, if I do not promote an environment where the players have fun and know that they are appreciated, then I believe that I have failed the team and its players as its coach. ALITHSA: What can we teach our kids about playing soccer and who is your favorite soccer player (or other sport) role model? Tim: I think it is important to teach the kids the value of working together as a team as well as to emphasize how important it is to give 100% effort in all that they do. I believe that both of these ideals promote a selflessness that will help them in all their future endeavors. I honestly don't have a role model as I don't believe it is good to put anyone on a pedestal. ALITHSA: Please tell us about your most special soccer memory or event. Tim: What really stands out to me was being on the field as my daughter's U6 coach when she scored her first goal, since coaches are allowed on the field for that age group. It afforded me the opportunity to run up to her, pick her up, spin her around and give her a big hug! ALITHSA: How in your mind can we make soccer in ALITHSA as creative and fun as possible? Tim: I like to give each player the opportunity to excel at whatever they are best at in the game. So long as they are enjoying themselves, I believe the game naturally becomes more interesting and exciting for them, providing them greater incentive to grow in the sport. ALITHSA: Anything special you would like to share with all of us in ALITHSA about being a volunteer? Tim: Being a volunteer serving our youth is a rewarding and satisfying endeavor that I would recommend to anyone. As a volunteer, I have found that I have received back from my players a response and appreciation that is exponentially greater than my own perceived sacrifice or effort. The experience truly has been a blessing. ALITHSA: Thank you Tim! 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.