Four years ago, we founded the Vermont Football Coaches Association, and I was honored to serve as its first President. From the outset, we organized the association around a clear mission: to represent the interests of Vermont football coaches to the VPA Football Committee; to provide meaningful professional development opportunities for coaches at every level; to promote the game of football throughout the state and encourage greater participation; to uphold the highest standards for both the game and the profession of coaching; and to help ensure that football continues to become safer, more exciting, and more rewarding for the young athletes who play it.
To effectively represent coaches across Vermont, we must work toward consensus. Individual perspectives may differ during the decision-making process (which is both healthy and necessary), but ultimately our responsibility is to speak with one voice and present a unified, consistent message to those responsible for guiding the future of our game.
One of the most important ways we accomplish this is through our annual coaches clinic. Each year, it provides an opportunity for continuing education, exposing coaches to new strategies, updated training techniques, and evolving safety protocols. Football is constantly changing, and this shared commitment to learning helps ensure that coaches across Vermont continue improving the quality of instruction we provide to our athletes.
When coaches collaborate in this way—sharing ideas, learning from one another, and working toward common goals—we strengthen football across our state. The result is a better product on the field, a safer experience for players, and a game that continues to attract and retain the next generation of athletes.
This week, at our Spring Meeting and Annual Coaches Clinic, I will step down from the executive committee after serving two years as President and another two as Past President. I do so with great pride in what we have built together and with complete confidence that the next generation of leadership will continue moving the association—and Vermont football—forward.
Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time!
O Line Skills 