Volunteer Coaches & Coordinators

At the start of every soccer season, we need to fill the team volunteer roles for our West Des Moines Soccer Club teams. WDMSC values our volunteer coaches and the time that they commit to helping our young players learn and love the game of soccer. We could not have such a fantastic program without our volunteers and we want to make the coaching experience as beneficial as possible. Team roles that are needed include head coach, assistant coach, and team coordinator. Review the volunteer responsibilities and coaching responsibilities that are an integral part of becoming a successful team volunteer.

US Club Soccer Adult background check must be completed each year by every volunteer working directly with youth players.

Coaching Responsibilities

If you want to get a start in coaching, the best place to start would be a youth team for a number of reasons. We rely on volunteers to coach youth development and recreational teams but encourage our parents to take classes to earn higher coaching certificates and licenses. We've listed a few:

• Signup to receive valuable information from Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) Development Zone Resource Center
• Attend Members/Volunteers Preseason Meeting
• Attend Coaches Educational Training Clinic
• Signup for USSA Coaching Certification

The United States Soccer Association has created new introductory courses that will provide a supportive approach to teaching and coaching players at 4v4, 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11. Whether you are the unfamiliar parent volunteer, the transitioning player or a veteran coach, these courses will provide you with more knowledge and a better understanding of how to effectively develop your players.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Head Coach
  • Teach your players respect for teammates, opposition, coaches, officials, and parents
  • Adhere to Iowa Soccer Association policies, rules, and objectives
  • Responsible for maintaining care of all WDMSC facilities and equipment
  • Finalize practice schedules and locations for training sessions
  • Discuss parent and player responsibilities at practices and games
  • Parent responsibilities and behavior at training sessions and games
  • Plan practices drills and ensuring your players improve
  • Develop strategies and plays to serve your player's in-game situations
  • Incorporate drills that allow your players to hone their skills to become more proficient on the field
  • Instruct your player's various small-sided games that you'll employ in the game-like situations
  • Monitor players during conditioning and practice drills
  • Ensure that your players understand the rules based on their age group and are adhering to those rules
  • Responsible for ensuring that your team is present for each game and tournament
  • Ensure equal playing time for all players, regardless of the score
  • Discuss the procedure with Team Coordinator for canceling training sessions and games
  • Discuss your philosophy of coaching…it's about player development, not winning and losing!
  • Ensure that the players have an enjoyable and safe sporting experience
  • Delegate responsibilities as needed to Assistant Coach and Team Coordinator
  • Provide feedback to Board Members and Club Administration on how to better improve supporting team volunteer roles
• Assistant Coach
  • Help plan weekly soccer practice schedules and location
  • Aid the head coach with developing strategies and drills
  • Monitor players during practice sessions to identify strengths and weaknesses
  • Assist the head coach during practice sessions to give proper instructions
  • Help the head coach to set up equipment and organize small-sided games
  • Coordinate and manage all communication with Team Coordinator as directed
  • Participate in special events in additions for usual games and practices as required
  • Other duties, as needed
• Team Coordinator
  • Coordination of snacks & refreshments for games
  • Communicate any negative parent behavior during games to the coaching staff
  • Communication of team schedule (practices, games & other special events) as requested by the coach
  • Ensure player cards are present for games
  • Coordination of end-of-season celebration
  • Other duties, as necessary.

Role of the Age Group Coordinator

The age group coordinator is responsible for addressing any questions or issues with the assigned Age Group. In most cases, the coordinator can address or answer them, but when needed they will involve the appropriate board member(s) to answer or resolve the issue. When properly executed, this keeps the coordinator informed of what is happening in their age group and helps keep the registrar and president from being overwhelmed with emails.

Age group coordinators are expected to attend and help with our in-person registration events. We generally hold two in the fall and one in the spring. Each event lasts two hours and we need each board member present to help answer questions and assist those who are registering.

WDMSC Board and Committee Volunteers

WDMSC is a registered non-profit youth sports organization, largely managed and run by volunteers like you. Our Board of Directors and Committee members are all parents in the Club, with children playing in our Recreational, Developmental, and/or Competitive soccer programs.

WDMSC is always interested in talking to parents willing to commit to the spirit of improvement that our club strives for. Regardless of which program your child participates in, we are interested in parents who will consider the needs of each individual, but also dedicate themselves to the management and improvement of our club as a whole. Whether on a committee or on the Board, we generally ask for a 2-3 year commitment, with the knowledge that time requirements vary for each role within the club.

Tournament Volunteers

Volunteers are an integral part of tournament success and WDMSC puts on several tournaments and festivals throughout the year that require volunteer support. Our tournaments are in need of volunteers to help keep the activities and events running smoothly. If you'd like to be contacted by WDMSC administration when volunteer opportunities arise, please sign up for these volunteer opportunities.

WDMSC Premier Games
The WDMSC Premier Games is the annual spring soccer tournament sponsored by the Club. WDMSC relies exclusively on volunteer support to run and manage this event, and proceeds go to our Scholarship Funds and our Field Improvement Funds. No prior experience or knowledge of the game is required. No training is required.

Volunteers must be available to work throughout the weekend as needed. Volunteers sign up to work a 2-hour shift and may request or be assigned to a variety of stations, including traffic, field marshal, Skill Station coordinators, concessions, as well as set-up and take-down.

If you wish to volunteer, visit the WDMSC Premier Games for available volunteer spots and times. Assignment for specific slots will be done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Volunteering at the WDMSC Premier Games is a ton of fun, and a great way to support the Club in kicking off the season.