Next year is a big year for Bairnsdale basketball, as we transition our under 10s, 12s and 14s boys competitions to a graded system, and continue grading in our girls comp.
The association committee is fully aware that, as we move to the new system, there will be teething problems next year.
It will not be perfect. There will be things we need to address and improve.
We are also aware that there is one group of people that is critically important to the success of the comp next year and beyond – coaches.
As we have reached out to parents, players and coaches over the past few months there is one concern that has been raised more than any other about the new system next year – making sure all kids get access to good coaching regardless of what team they get assigned to.
The reality is that we will probably have more teams next year than we have skilled and experienced coaches.
So, two things we know we need to do are:
- Make sure all players that want access to experienced coaches can get it.
- Help inexperienced coaches develop their skills and learn from other coaches.
To achieve those two things, here’s a list of specific things we are intending to do in 2024.
Open Training Sessions
Once a week we’d like to provide an open training session led by an experienced coach or coaches, free and available to all players in graded age divisions.
Ideally there will be separate sessions for the different age groups, but this will depend on the availability of coaches and the number of players that attend.
Coach The Coaches
We must help uplift our more novice coaches by having them learn from the experienced coaches in our association.
A monthly “coaching session for coaches” hosted by leading local coaches will help share experience and knowledge about drills, coaching strategies, and practical tips for helping young players develop.
The association is also in the process of setting aside a budget to host more paid coach training sessions from accredited providers next year.
Connect the Coaches
On a similar note, we will encourage coaches to regularly get in touch with each other to organise group training sessions, scrimmages and match-simulation drills.
We hope a more collaborative and cooperative approach will make it possible for more players to have access to our best coaches, and boost the skills of our inexperienced coaches.
We think these things are doable, but we’re going to need your help.
To that end, we’re looking for people interested in being part of a Bairnsdale Basketball Coaching subcommittee.
Ideally the Coaching subcommittee will be a group of 4 – 6 people who have some connection to local coaches, that can be those connectors and organisers to arrange and schedule open training sessions for players and coach training sessions for coaches.
The Coaching subcommittee won’t need to actually run the trainings.
The role of the Coaching subcommittee will be to organise and schedule the trainings, working with the excellent coaches we already know in our community and in our region.
It’s a great opportunity for parents to have a hugely important positive impact on the development of young players and the success of the comp.
(Plus, you won’t have to attend any committee meetings! Bonus!)