Coaches

Gerald Van Burgsteden receiving 2018 Softball SK Coach of the Year.

Coaches play an influential role in the softball experiences of our athletes and are a very crucial element of the MMSA. Research shows that coaches are a leading positive infuence in today's youth. Proper coaching can help players improve skills, perform at their best ability, develop strong character, and gain confidence (TrueSport, 2014). The MMSA sincerely THANKS our coaches for the time and effort they put into softball to provide great experiences for our athletes.

Please see description of MMSA coaching opportunites below.

Learn to Play - Timbits Coaching Opportunities

MMSA requires coaches each season for our Learn to Play Program. This is strictly a developmental program focusing on introductory skill development for the following age divisions:

  • U6 Timbits (Level 1)

  • U8 Timbits (Level 2)

Learn to Play Coaching Applications:

Coaching Applications for Learn to Play open for upcoming seasons in March and selections are usually made by the beginning of April.

Coaching levels required to coach Learn to Play include:

  • Respect in Sport (RiS)

  • Foundations of Coaching Softball - Part 1 (60-90 minutes)

  • Learn to Coach Clinic (5 hours)

  • Make Ethical Decisions

  • Criminal Record Check submitted to MMSA

House League - Coaching Opportunities

MMSA requires coaches each season for House League teams. These are teams that play in the North East Softball League and include the following age divisions:

  • U10 Mites

  • U12 Squirt

  • U14 Pee Wee

  • U16 Bantam / U19 Midget

House League Coaching Applications:

Coaching Applications for House League teams open for upcoming seasons in March and selections are usually made by the beginning of April.

Coaching levels required to coach House League teams include:

  • Respect in Sport (RiS)

  • Foundations of Coaching Softball - Part 1 (60-90 minutes)

  • Community Softball Coach Clinic (9.5 hours)

  • Make Ethical Decisions

  • Criminal Record Check submitted to MMSA

Spirit Softball - Coaching Opportunities

The Spirit Softball Program in an initiative, by the Melfort Minor Softball Association (MMSA), to provide a competitive softball stream for female athletes, throughout the North East, wanting to train, develop, and compete at a higher level. The Spirit Softball Program requires greater commitment from both athletes and families (time, travel, work ethic, money, etc.) to practice, attend tournaments, and compete at provincials and potentially Canadian Championships (A level) or Western Canadian Championships (B level) in the following age groups and levels:

  • U12 ‘A’ Girls (‘B’ teams will be formed if sufficient athlete numbers and available coaches)

  • U14 ‘A’ Girls (‘B’ teams will be formed if sufficient athlete numbers and available coaches)

  • U16 ‘A’ Girls (‘B’ teams will be formed if sufficient athlete numbers and available coaches)

  • U19 ‘B’ Girls

Spirit Coaching Applications:

Coaching Applications for Spirit teams open for upcoming seasons in September/October and selections are usually made by the end of November.

Coaching levels required to coach Spirit teams include (See the Spirit Softball Coaching Requirements chart below):

  • Respect in Sport

  • Competition - Development Multi-Sport Modules (43.5 hours)

  • Softball Competition - Development Clinics - Weekend #1 & #2 (32 hours)

  • Competition Development Online Evaluations

  • Coach On-field Evaluation or Portfolio