1. Welcome Coaches Understanding the Coaches Role in the Athlete Recruiting Process AVCA Convention 2008 – Presenter Barry McLean, Volleyball Prospects Canada

2. Why Do You Coach? Introduce yourself to the person beside you and talk about why you coach!

3. Benefits of Coaching Rewarding Fulfilling Fun! Volunteer Teacher/Facilitator Enriching the Lives of others Provide Opportunity Give Back

4. Why Do Athletes Play?

5. Your Athletes Needs Play for fun Future Social Aspect Great Team Sport Passionate about Volleyball Coolest Game in the World!

6. How many athletes will have the opportunity to play volleyball at the post-secondary level?

7. Cold Hard Facts Only 3% of the female athletes playing volleyball in Canada and the USA will play post-secondary at a college or university. Only 1% will be on scholarship! Source: NCAA

8. Maintain a Balanced Perspective Not everyone can play at the post- secondary level Club and High School levels vary in ability Recognize and encourage those special athletes who you feel are gifted and have potential to play at a high level Same token encourage those others to work hard to pursue & achieve their dream

9. Follow These 7 Basic Principles Don’t promise something you can’t deliver Sheltering is a BIG NO-NO Mind your strategic alliances Keep an Open Mind Your Primary Role is a Facilitator Information is Power Check your EGO at the door

10. Don’t Promise Something You Can’t Deliver Come play for me and we’ll get you a scholarship! Don’t sell a dream to an athlete to get them to play for you. If you do your job as a coach and follow the right path, your athletes will have many opportunities.

11. Sheltering is a BIG NO-NO Have you Heard this Before? Your don’t need that information... We’ll help you find a scholarship... I know so and so and this guy at... We won’t go to this tournament because... We’ll take care of this for you... Don’t put your profile on there...

12. Foster Your Strategic Partnerships Networking with post-secondary coaches is a great way to broaden your club athletes exposure. But be realistic based on your athletes academic and athletic potential. Attend coaching clinics Coach University summer camps Communicate with Parents

13. Keep an Open Mind Athletes needs will change and evolve. Don’t get comfortable promoting only certain programs. Remember the importance of academics! What are the athletes needs? –Level of conference play –Need to play or content sitting the first year –Type of coach (yeller/screamer – cool as a cucumber)

14. Coach Facilitator Your primary role is to provide an experience! Most athletes love the game and want to have FUN! Coach them, make them better! Teach them life skills, help them mature into responsible young adults. Plant the seed for them to succeed.

15. Information is Power Information = Empowerment Information = Informed Decisions Information = Opportunity

16. Check Your Ego at the Door Chances are if you are here you have already checked your ego at the door. Those coaches who have all the answers, need all the control, need credit and can do it all themselves... They aren’t here! It’s not about you – It’s about the athlete!

17. Barry McLean 2008 AVCA Convention - Omaha bmclean@volleyballprospects.ca