OTTAWA-Baseball Canada is pleased to announce that Les Smeyers from Vaughan, Ontario is the 20,000th coach to register on Baseball Canada’s On-line coaching certification system, NCCP.baseball.ca.
To recognize this feat, Baseball Canada will be sending Les a prize package that includes a Baseball Canada hat, shorts, t-shirtand sweatshirt.
“We wanted to do something to recognize this milestone and bring awareness to our on-line coaching system,” said Baseball Canada’s Program Coordinator Kelsey McIntosh. “The fact that 20,000 coaches have taken advantage of this great resource speaks volumes for how valuable this coaching tool has become which is very positive for the future of baseball in Canada.”
Les is a coach in the City of Vaughan (Ontario) Baseball Association and coaches his son, Justin, at the Mosquito level. Like many parents, Les’ involvement with coaching began when his son was registered for baseball as a 5 year-old.
“Over the years, I gradually became more involved with the coaching staff and the teams,” said Les. “It brought back memories of the competitive spirit I had when I was growing up and the importance of being part of a sports team.”
With the 2012 baseball season right around the corner, Les and members of his coaching staff were discussing coaching certification and what they could do to improve as coaches and make the baseball experience better for the kids.
“Part of the certification process was to complete the online NCCP.baseball.ca course,” explained Les. “I found the ethics part to be eye opening. The strategy and skills modules were very useful in helping me understand things I already knew or thought I knew.”
“Secondly, the course was explained in a way that was easy to understand and could easily be explained to the kids I am coaching.”
The City of Vaughan Baseball Association is taking a proactive approach to coaching certification and realizes the importance is has in sustaining quality minor baseball programs.
“Coaching Development is one of the cornerstones of the Vaughan Baseball program and one which we put a premium on,” explained Dirk Drieberg, President of the City of Vaughan Baseball Association. “Training and Development is a continuous and on-going process and one which we firmly support and believe in and will continue to invest in going forward.”
For more information on coaching certification, please visit: http://nccp.baseball.ca
