More than 170 coaches from Vancouver Public Schools had plenty of subjects to choose from Monday at the school district’s annual coaches’ clinic, just in time before practice begins for fall sports.
Injury prevention, proper taping procedures, out-of-season rules, bowling and swimming drills were just some of the topics on the menu at Columbia River High School.
Coaches could listen to peers giving volleyball serving advice one hour, hear from experts in the medical field in another hour, and then ask questions to members of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
There were 19 concurrent sessions running, one hour at a time, for three hours. And while it is not required for every coach in the district to attend, it is highly recommended, according to Mick Hoffman, the district’s athletic director.
The clinic also provides some of the annually required training for coaches — concussion management, and helmet fitting, as example.
There were legal issues, too. The WIAA had a Title IX panel, and in another room, a lawyer advised coaches to refrain from using text messages to student-athletes.
Instead, a coach should use e-mail from his district account to contact athletes and their parents with a public, not private, message.
Chris Burton, a lawyer from Enumclaw who represents several school districts, said it is just a good idea to “communicate with students professionally,” and that a private text could be misinterpreted.
“Our responsibility is to make sure we get the chance to provide education about the association to the membership,” said Mike Colbrese, the WIAA’s executive director. “It’s important for us to get out and meet people and for them to meet us.”
The 176 coaches came from sixth-grade track and field programs through middle school athletics, and into the high school with freshman, junior varsity, and varsity coaches representing sports in all three seasons.
Hoffman said coaches from other districts are also invited. He also would like to see youth coaches participate next summer.
This clinic has run for more than a decade now.
For fall coaches and athletes, the summer is quickly coming to an end.
Football practice begins Wednesday, while the rest of the fall sports begin practice Monday.
