WESA Coach Squad

WESA COACH SQUAD

TL/DR Page Summary:  Definition of the WESA Coach Squad and the process of how a member becomes more involved in league leadership.
Jump to Coach Squad Events

What is the WESA Coach Squad?
The WESA Coach Squad are those members who are working towards, or already are part of, league management and leadership. They manage our teams, coach our players, and facilitate league operations.

WESA Coach  Squad members:

• Maintain a positive outlook towards others and the league
• Always looking to improve themselves and the league
• Are trained and experienced in Scorekeeping
• Are well versed in the rules of the game
• Follow the WESA Code of Conduct, Member Agreement, and Coaching Contract
• Have a understanding of WESA's history and traditions
• Attend WESA Coaching & Management Clinics
• Participate in the league Coaches' Mini-Retreats & Conferences.
• Mentor other members with the skills they have to pass on.
• Facilitate WESA skills clinics for the membership.
• Help out at scrimmage games for Rookies and Novice players.
• Encourage others to volunteer

Interested in becoming part of the Leadership of WESA?  
Step 1: Get involved in the league by filling out the Online volunteer form here.
Step 2: Learn how to properly Scorekeep a game and learn the rules of the game. Start here.
Step 3: Attend clinics, help out other members and coaches with their duties including equipment management, event volunteers and Join a Committee!

What does the pathway to the Coach Squad look like?
Coaching in WESA has evolved over the years.  As part of our efforts  to be more focused on the quality of the member experience, the league has moved towards a more transparent and inclusive approach to recruiting volunteers including our coaching members.   For many years, the membership has discussed ways to improve the member experience and explore the relationship between being a WESA member, volunteer, and coach.  We believe there is a clear relationship between volunteering and being a strong leader in WESA.  Even by simply knowing oneself, is to understand where one's volunteer efforts are best directed.

Team Managing Coaches
We made a significant first step in 2023 by more formally treating the Team Coach and assistant Coach as a Coaching Team.  We also began providing supports for our Coaching Teams in the form of retreats and putting their efforts front and centre when looking at the Code of Conduct and Agreements.   Also in 2023, WESA invited members to take a leadership role in our Sunday Nooner Clinics for all members, and the Softball Essential Clinics for new and novice players.  Those efforts have informed our dialogue with each other. 

In our efforts to build the Coach Squad we have implemented some efforts by asking Coaching Teams to split up to mentor new members, asking some to take a season off to allow for others to step up, and actively planning for nurturing of new talent in the league.  

Coaching is an essential part of the WESA experience for many members.  Coaching provides an opportunity to mentor others and give back to our community.  It is at the core of our Volunteers in Pride (ViP) approach to volunteerism in WESA.  Being a WESA ViP means that you understand that the league is a home for members of our community who place a high value on their WESA experience and the bonds of friendship they have built over the years. 

WESA Coaches place team building over competitiveness
For many, joining WESA is their first exposure to team sports or will be their first time since having negative experiences in the past.  Our main goal has always been to provide a friendly atmosphere for everyone including those of differing athletic abilities.  We have been so successfully at this that WESA is considered Home for many.

To maintain this tradition, Team Coaches learn to be well versed on not only the nature of slo-pitch softball but on the traditions of WESA and our place in the the LGBT+ community.  We help explain the league's rules, policies and history, and make a big difference on a daily basis to the experience of each league member.

We Are Team Built!
The best way to learn about something is to become involved in it.  The league actively encourages members to take every opportunity to learn the history of the league, the traditions of the sport, the rules of the game, and WESA's place in the community.   Get involved with your team's responsibilities such as making sure your dug out is clean after your games, help organize a team event, or become a WESA Scorekeeper.  Nothing happens in WESA without members making it happen!

Scorekeeping
An essential part of becoming a successful Coach Squad member is to learn how to Scorekeep.  WESA has a training program to learn to keep score.  Start with the Scorekeeping Manual here.

Assistant Coaches
As part of the leadership of the league, Assistant Coaches play an important role in the experience of many WESA members.  Those members who regularly participate and contribute as a volunteer to the league (Scorekeeping, Event Volunteers)  and develop their skills (such as the Sunday Nooner Clinics, Softball Essentials Clinics,  practices, and scrimmage games) will be invited to assist and be mentored by a Head Coach.

Coach's Contract
WESA Managing Team Coaches have an agreement that contains a list of points that is acknowledged each season.  Please review the 2024 Coach's agreement  here.

Where do I start?
To express interest in joining the WESA Coach Squad, speak to fill out the WESA Online Volunteer form found here.

WESA ViPs know that We Are Team Built!

This is your league. MAKE IT HAPPEN!

2024 SEASON COACH SQUAD EVENTS

WESA AUTUMN COACHES MINI-RETREAT
Hosted at GORDON NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE
Saturday 2nd November 2023

Members of the league Coaching Teams from the 2023 Season came together to discuss various topics including the shared goals and hopes for next season.

WESA 2024 Coaches' Mini-Retreat

WESA SPRING COACHES CONFERENCE
Hosted at

West Georgia

Coaching Clinic on Team Building

*Invite Only -  Saturday 2nd March 2024
at Moxies West Georgia (180 West Georgia Street)
10am to 1pm
Followed by Field Day #2 - 130pm at Strathcona Park

Members of the WESA Coaching Squad gather for a coaching clinic and season briefing as things gear up for the player draft.

Questions?  Please email Dan R at RulesAndRegulations (at) WESA.net.