Well wouldn't you know it, the kids are all right.Estevan's coaching ranks are in the midst of a youth movement and, not only are these youngsters being given the opportunity, they are by all accounts succeeding.Over the past 12 months at least six ambitious whippersnappers aged 25 or under have stepped up to take significant coaching roles in our city.(If I've inadvertently left you out, please accept my apologies in advance.)It's not as though our youth haven't been given the opportunity before, but to have this many on the go in one 12-month period might be unprecendented.Mason Schick (Haulers bantam AA baseball), Joel Moriarty (Bruins midget AA hockey), Blaine Weyland (Elecs high school football), Jessie Elias (Elecs high school basketball), Akeela Jundt (Golden Eels swimming), and Jordan Blanchette (K of C bantam house hockey) are among the proud and not-so-few.Considering how many 20-somethings out there can't even walk and chew gum at the same time, these coaches deserve a little extra credit.There's more to coaching than just showing up on game day and "speaking words good" to the local media after it's all over.There are practices to plan and run, tournaments and make-up games to schedule, meetings to attend, travel plans to arrange, and officials to berate.Some might also argue the challenge is even greater for a coach to gain control of, and respect from, athletes who might only be two or three years their junior.And so far we've heard almost nothing but good things about the way any of these coaches have carried themselves and their teams.That some have even found success in the standings is just the icing on the cake.In a society that trends toward experience, the powers that be in our local sports community should also be commended for giving these folks the opportunity to contribute.They have shown our young adults that they are welcome, and in doing so have taken a huge step toward securing the future of minor sports in Estevan.
