Lovejoy Soccer Complex Coordinator Profile

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Name: Nick Grant

The top priorities of a youth athlete should be learning the rules and fundamentals of their respective sport. For the younger athletes in particular, they should also be trying to experience new sports before specializing. All while having fun and enjoying the moment of course.

My Program Philosophy is creating a safe environment where the priority is making sure the children are having fun while learning the fundamentals of the game.

My favorite youth sports memory is when I was playing U12 soccer at Lovejoy Soccer complex. We had a game but didn’t have a full team to start. Our coach, who just happened to be my dad, still managed to get us excited and motivated for the match. It ended in a draw, but felt like a victory since we were short the whole time. Of course the best part came after, when we went to get ice cream as a team.

It’s very difficult to please everyone, but I try to hear people’s wants and do everything in my power to satisfy most. With that, I try to make things as competitive as possible without losing the spirit of the sportsmanship.

Ensuring that the coaches have access to all the facilities they need to do the their job comes first. Then you have to make sure they have sufficient knowledge about the sport. You should also get to know your staff. You have to be able to trust them to do their job and the only way to get a feel of that is through building relationships with them. You hold them accountable and they must do the same with you. Lastly, be good on your promises and have your word mean something.

A typical week of practice would include sessions focused on one of the 4 principles of soccer (dribbling, passing, shooting, and defending). The younger age group will cater more to dribbling and the older group will focus more on technical and tactical refinement. Game days are fun and enjoyable. It’s the time for players to showcase their skills and what they’ve learned throughout the week to their families and supporters. It’s a day packed with memories.

My goal for the Lovejoy Soccer Complex and the soccer program as a whole is to cultivate a culture where the kids create such deep and enjoyable memories that when they enter adulthood they would want that same opportunity for their own kids. Having grown through the program myself, I know the goal is very much attainable, but I also understand that it’s impossible on my own. I need for everyone involved to buy in to the dream. That goes for my staff, coaches, parents, players, even referees. Let’s make something special that our younger selves would be proud of!

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