Softball Ontario seeks Softball Associations to host a Competition-Introduction, Softball On Field Evaluation Clinic

Toronto, ON- Softball Ontario Coaches Committee is seeking four (4) Softball Associations to host a Competition-Introduction, Softball On Field clinic by March 31, 2011. The goal of the On Field Evaluation clinic is provide Softball coaches an opportunity to move from “trained” (attended What to Coach, How to Coach and completed Make Ethical Decision On Line test) status to “certified” status. The Evaluation clinic is subsided by Softball Ontario and the Quest for Gold Program-Coach Enhancement category.

The four (4) Evaluation Clinic Hosts will receive:
- Up to $500 to cover the rental costs of a Classroom and Gymnasium
- The opportunity to Certify twelve (12) Coaches at a local On-Field Evaluation Clinic
- An opportunity to provide your athletes with free skills instruction from guest Coaches
- Get a jump-start on the 2014 Canada Coach requirements for participating in a Canadian Championships
- Earn up to 32 points towards your Association SAFE STAR Rating

What is “Competition-Introduction Softball”?
Competition-Introduction, Softball is the first coaching clinic that is available in National Coaching Certification Stream. In the Competitive stream, Coaches usually have previous coaching experience or are former athletes in the sport. Coaches in this category tend to work with athletes over a long term to improve performance, often in preparation for provincial, national or international competitions. There are four (4) components to Competition-Introduction, Softball which includes:
- What to Coach (16 Hours)
- How to Coach (16 Hours)
- Make Ethical Decisions On Line Evaluation (3 hours)
- On Field Evaluation (2 hours)

The On Field Evaluation component (OFE Clinic) is the final step in becoming “Certified” in Competition-Introduction, Softball. Who can host a Competition-Introduction, Softball On Field Evaluation clinic?Any Softball Associations who is interested in hosting a Competition-Introduction, Softball On Field Evaluation should contact Steph Sutton via email at ssutton@softballontario.ca

What are the requirements of a Softball Association to Host an On Field Evaluation Clinic?
In order to host a successful On Field Evaluation Clinic, it is necessary for a Softball Association to supply the following:
- 9 softball players of the same age group for a morning and afternoon session for two days
- A Double gym with an adjacent classroom- class room you need a TV and DVD player available
First Aid Kit
- Ball (preferably indoor balls)-Softball
- A set of indoor bases
- 9 bats for Players to use

When can Softball Associations host an On Field Evaluation clinic?
Softball Associations hosting an On Field Evaluation two (2) day clinic before March 31, 2012 to receive facility funding assistance.

Why would Softball Association want to host an On Field Evaluation?
If any Softball Association has Coaches who are participating in a Canadian Championships in 2014, the requirement of Coach Education for Coaches involved is to be Competition-Introduction, Softball “Certified”. This opportunity allows softball Coaches to obtain certification in their local association reducing time commitments and travel time as well as providing an opportunity for athletes to receive additional training from a guest coach.

Interested?
Interested Softball Associations are encouraged to send a letter of interest to the Softball Ontario office indicating that they are able to secure a facility with a classroom and double gym for 2 days; able to supply nine (9) athletes of the same age group and help recruit Coaches to attend the clinic. Once a letter of interested is received, Softball Ontario will follow up with the interested host to work out the details of a Competition-Introduction, Softball On Field Evaluaton Hosting Contract.

Softball Ontario delivers the National Coaching Certification Program and Coach Education on behalf of Softball Canada and the Coaching Association of Canada in the Province of Ontario for the sport of Softball.

If you have any questions regarding the Softball Ontario Coaches Program or the National Coaching Certification Program, please contact Steph Sutton via email at ssutton@softballontario.ca.