2026 Coach Appreciation Week

With Coach Appreciation Week officially wrapped up, I’m happy to say that I took advantage of it pretty well again this year. Was I recognized for my coaching? Not really, but there were some great training opportunities for coaches at all levels of sport. I don't coach for trophies & recognition, I do it because I love helping people (especially kids) improve & grow their love of the game.

The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) offered 4 courses for free (that normally have costs). In September 2024, I completed both the “Coach Initial in Sport” and “Sports Nutrition” courses. However, “Creating a Positive Sports Environment” and “Coaching Athletes with a Disability” were both new offerings.

The first course was very similar to part of a teaching additional qualification that I completed in the spring: The Learning Environment. Both courses were largely about creating an inclusive space, creating room for athletes (or students) to grow & learn. I think I learned more in the second course, and can definitely use the tools provided in both my coaching & my teaching.

In addition, I signed up to attend the 2026 Ontario Coaches Summit Series by the Coaches Association of Ontario. While I wasn’t able to attend the live broadcasts since I was teaching at my elementary school, I thankfully have access to recordings. All 6 sessions are on some pretty important topics and I look forward to reviewing them over the next few weeks. I'll be sure to highlight the main points here as I work through them.

Usually, I would spoil myself with a new jersey or piece of equipment to close out the week. Budget being what it is, I skipped it this year. Since both of my children will be going into proper leagues next spring, I’m setting some extra coin aside for their registration & gear upgrades. I also have my eyes on some season tickets with both Atletico and Rapids, but that will depend on how we recover financially now that I’m back teaching.

I'm hoping to kick off the off-season fitness stuff next time, so be sure to check back soon!