Contact: Jess Stevenson, Program Manager – JNS@sonj.org.
Location: In-Person at the SONJ Sports Complex & Remote via Zoom
Open to everyone who wants to learn about coaches and coaching!
This year’s Program Leadership Conference will focus on Coach Education and cover a number of topics.
Conference Topics:
Click the tabs to read more information about each topic
Keynote Speaker: Paul Aronsohn
Hear from New Jersey's Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Families. The ombudsman is a neutral staff person who answers questions, addresses concerns from the public, and is responsible for enhancing customer service in the courts. The ombudsman provides the bridge between the courts and the community to enhance public access and improve customer service.
Understanding Disabilities: Techniques and Application to Coaching
This session will focus on techniques in working with individual athletes and teams
Every team is different and every athlete is different
Learn strategies to determine if an athlete needs more time or is ready for competition
Application of skills and knowledge to coaching
Family Engagement: Communication with Families
Highlight and put emphasis on the SONJ Codes of Conducts
Season/team expectations - sports/teams are a commitment on every level of competition
Pre-Season Family Meetings - what should this involve?
How to communicate with families - strategies to build rapport
Ways to get families involved within the team - volunteers, assistant coaches, support roles
Involve the families
Hear personal coaching/team experiences
Training & Fitness with Athletes
Hear from volunteers from RWJBarnabas Health
Strategies to implement fitness and conditioning into practices
Conditioning outside of regular sport practices
Help athletes' performance/reduce risk of sports related injury
Modifications to exercise/drills
Young Athletes Breakout #1: Coaching & Curriculum
Join for a Meet & Greet with new and existing coaches
Discussion of curriculum and overall programming
Opportunity for coaches to discuss individual programs and offer insight/suggestions to others
Lunch & Learn with USA Games Athlete Coaches
Hear from the athlete coaches themselves about their experience at a National Games!
Personal coaching experiences
How they got into coaching
Transition from being an athlete to coaching
Offering of advice to any athletes that would like to coach and what steps to take
We are seeing more athletes become coaches
Discussion of the transition from playing sports to coaching, offering sport knowledge, and more
Health & Wellness - Disciplines Offered by SONJ
Hear from the SONJ Health Program Director and Clinical Director on the several health disciplines and events we offer throughout the year
How to register
What athletes/participants need
Descriptions of each
Where the events are located and when
Emphasis on Strong Minds
Definition, expectations, benefits, and importance of mental health
Young Athletes Breakout #2: Impact & Program Demonstration
Participants will go into the gym to implement the ideas and strategies discussed in Session 1 to create a demonstration
Use and application of the curriculum
Family impact statement
Personal experiences through their Young Athletes Program
Beyond Coaching - Further Opportunities
Discussion of ways to get involved in SONJ outside of coaching
How and where
Volunteering
Being part of a committee and how
Involvement on the Area-level
Site Coordinators
Personal stories and experiences from an Area Director and long-time volunteers/Site Coordinators
How and why
Recruitment of volunteers, committee members, and more!
**All sessions will be held in the EKS Conference Room at the SONJ Sports Complex. The Young Athletes portions will be breakout sessions held in other locations in the building.
