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Cut the coach a littie slack 'from COMPLAIN on page 6 because ail we have tu du is pick out une thing lie dues wrong. Few coaches are able to cover every angle and do everything absulutely riglit. Most try, thougli. And muat receive little or nu thanks. Every cuach lias tlieir uwn set uf ideas and priurities, which means they have mure un their mnd than the par- ents. Sumetimes what they're ding is dificuit tu under- stand, su the immediate reaction is that the coach is an idiut. Sumetimes, huwever, yuu don't fix a mistake a player is making immediately because yuu want tu wait until the pruper time. Or maybe it's as simple as putting a weaker player un the ice at the end of a cluse game ur un the pow- erplay tu boost lis confidence. Sume uf the best and must successful coaches I' ve seen say they don't care what parents think and leave it at that. I think a better strategy, however, is tu explain things tu the parents and get them thinking on your wavelengtli. In my cuaching experience, 1 invite and encourage par- ents tu questiun anything tliey want because l'mn confident 1 have the answers. That doesn't mean 'mn necessarily doing a great job, but rather that tliey understand what I'm trying lu get dune. At least have them thinking that as a coacli yuu're also a per- son, which peuple seem tu forget, especially in hockey. Back tu our original example. After the first practice, which I thouglit was outstanding, I suggested tu some par- ents that tliey at least give the coachi some time. After the third exhibition game, the grumbling had been reduced tu a dulI roar. The coachi was fixing lis mistakes and was nu longer appearing tu favour lis own son. It's obvious this coachi is working liard te, do a good job. I think what 'm going to do the next time 1 see himi alune is tell him that I appreciate ail the effort he's putting mbt making this experience a positive une for the kids. Mind yuu, mess with the young guy's ice time, and l'Il start preparing the noose myself. Photo buy GAA A Toying with Santa Four-year-old Laura Matthews couldn't resist checking out this Santa doli at the annual British Car Toy Run for Operation Santa Claus Sunday at Kelso. The toys collected wiIl be given to underpriviledged children over the holidays, which are coming soon. The Canadian Champion, Fndcay October 2,1998- 7 Some teachers settie efrom REACH on page 5 Jim Sherlock, chair ut the board, said the governmeflt's announcement about back-to-work legisiation last Friday had 1Wec werc very near an agrecrnent on Wcdnesday iin(it, lie said. "One thing the settlement retiects on is the fact that if you sit down and deal with the issues, you can reach an agreement. A nd this agreement is in complete compliance with Bill 160." Macdonald Scott Consultants sponsors Halton Professional Business Women. We are currently working on a directory featuring profiles of Halton ProfessionalffWomen in Business. Advertising is also available. For more information, please contact ,* . *frchi oi (0)84441 Fruday, Oct. 2, 1998 " Campeliville Foodland (P) " Canadian Tire " China House (P) " Food Basios (Rural) " Hearthland Frigidaire (P) " Leggatt Chevrolet (P) " Norwich Union " *Petsmart " Sears " Vitos Pizza (P) Weekend, Oct. 39 45 1998 *A&P " Biway " IDA " Loblaws " M & M Meats " Maxi & Co. " Sears " Super Submarine (P) i - .1- 'w'- ~1