While most coaches played sports as kids, there are also those who walk into the game as adults.  That's just what Coach of the Week, Edward Blanchette of Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania did.



When his daughter, Danielle, 12, took up the sport of soccer four years ago, Coach  Blanchette knew this was his opportunity to get involved and study the game he knew little about.  And over the years his dedication to sports and coaching has only grown stronger.
 
Coach Blanchette was a bit apprehensive when his then eight-year-old daughter Danielle wanted to play a sport.  His older daughter had previously tried karate, but didn't stick with it.  Still, he and his wife Barbara decided it was only fair to offer Danielle the same opportunity to play, and here they find themselves four years later.

Coach Blanchette expressed that his daughter's first coaches were great role models and he admired the way they taught the game.  It was because of them, particularly Coaches Corey Gilmer and Rene Kohler that he decided to get involved with the team and later down the road, start coaching.

Because his job in sales requires a great deal of travel, Coach Blanchette and his wife began as volunteer "Assistant Parents".  They enjoyed running flags for the team and helping out the coaches when needed.  Since he was new to soccer, it was a great place for him to learn the game.
 
Soon after, Coach Blanchette became the Secretary for the Conrad Weiser Youth Soccer Club, a position he has held for the past three years. His first true coaching role was as an Assistant Coach for Coach Gilmer.  At the end of June 2009, Coach Blanchette was nominated to serve as Head Coach for the U13T3 Girls Team, now known as the Golden Goals. 

He wrote, "I was a little surprised, as this to me was a big honor as well as a big responsibility. I accepted and Matt Coldren was named and is my AWESOME Assistant Coach."
 
As far as a coaching philosophy, Coach Blanchette stressed, "I try to teach unity and teamwork. My rules are simple, give me 100%, always try - never give up."  His other Keys to Success are:

• An assist is just as important as a goal.

• All girls on my team must get along.  When we are on the field there are no clicks, no bickering, and no one is above another.

• As a team we must work together to compliment each other...no big spotlights.

• When we are off of the field we are respectful to each other even through our differences.

The Golden Goals are coming off a 7-0 win and have five games left this season.  The team started off a little short-handed, but things have been moving smoothly after some help from U11 and U12 players in their club.

"They had a few ties early on." wrote Coach Blanchette. "To me a tie is just as good as a win.  They played hard and I was proud!"
 
Coach Blanchette was very gracious in accepting this nomination, and shared a few words with Weplay writing, "For me to be nominated as a Coach of the week is great, but I am only as good as the people and players around me. Believe you me, they are an outstanding bunch and I am very fortunate and blessed to be affiliated with a great community of Parents and Coaches at the Soccer Club, and finally the most important of all...my family and my team. With out them you wouldn't be reading this now. Again, I thank you."

(Article Courtesy of Lauren Magistro)