Westfield One of First Statewide to Participate in Youth Soccer Coaching Program

This week's soccer coach camp at Sid Fay/Houlihan Fields saw a variety of teenagers working alongside the adults in working towards a state soccer coaching license.

The teens are part of the state soccer ambassador program, which allows teenagers to obtain a  provisional license from New Jersey Youth Soccer to work alongside an adult coach in coaching a youth soccer team. The Westfield Soccer Club is one of the first clubs in the state to organize a full program for teenagers to participate in the ambassador program. Eight Westfield teens were training this week for the program.

According to Maria Leonow, a coaching school staffer for New Jersey Youth Soccer, the training session for the teens was similar to the adults. They attend a three hour class session on Monday and two three hour field sessions on Tuesday and Thursday, learning coaching theory and practice exercises. They participated next to the adults in simulated games and also helped present mock practices to the class.

To be a part of program, the teens had to complete a written coaching philosophy for the statewide association and the Westfield club. In addition, the teens had to present the philosophy orally during the class.

The teens who are participating in the program said they are doing it for a variety of reasons. Henry Ritter, an experienced soccer player in town, said he wanted to give back to the Westfield soccer community and he liked the ability to mentor aspiring soccer players in town. Others agreed with Ritter and said they believed their age will help enhance soccer in town.

"Us younger but interested people have a better perspective on what the child wants in playing soccer," said asipiring teen coach Andrew Felix.