Coach of the Month in the US

Nine year-old Bryce Johnson of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida sent this letter nominating his football coach for "the  best" award:

Hi Coach Jerry!

I think Coach Mickens should be Coach-of the-Month because he is the best coach out there and he works us hard and he makes us the best football team out there!

He has a GREAT personality and loves to make us happy and win our games. He makes the practice fun. When we don"t do our best he says: "We didn"t do our best" and sometimes he wears his Grumpy shirt. But when we do our best he says: "BOOYA" even if we lose our game and if we win our game he"s happy for us!

He is a person I look up to. He talked me into playing football and now I like it better than soccer.

Those are some reasons I think he should be coach-of-the-month. Oh, and by the way, our record is 5:1!

This note was typed by my Mom but are my words and thoughts!

Thanks.

Bryce Johnson

Bryce plays on a Mitey Mite football team and his words reflect the feelings of all the 27 players on the team.

Bryce"s positive experience demonstrates that it is possible for children to develop their natural abilities, learn good sportsmanship and have fun in organized sports. All it takes is a caring coach and Coach Mickens certainly is a caring coach.

In a world where too many coaches scream, yell and otherwise abuse young players and are concerned only about winning, Coach Mickens is a non-conformer and a breath of fresh air.

How does he do it? He does what all good coaches do. He does it by coaching all the players on the team, not just the talented ones; by making every player feel they have a role and are an important part of the team, by teaching players how to play their positions and to understand their assignments, by instilling discipline based on dignity and respect, not fear, by focusing on and recognizing effort, and by incorporating fun things that kids enjoy into daily routines.

Randy"s success is measured by the fact that every player on the team, regardless of ability, had a positive and enjoyable experience. His team"s winning record is but a by product of his coaching philosophy, his methods and his ability to relate to all his players.

Our hats are off to Randy Mickens our Featured Coach for November!

NOMINATE A BALLYBODEN SAINT ENDA"S JUVENILE COACH OF THE MONTH

email enda with your choice of juvenile coach of the month.

send your reasons why you think your coach is coach of the month like bryce above. to enda@bodengaa.ie