FORT BENNING, GA - Fort Benning Children Youth and School Services has never went without offering sports programs for the youth on post, but having enough volunteer coaches for this year's football, soccer and cheerleading presented a challenge sports specialist Dorrie Wagner said.
"With the 3rd ID leaving, all the people who normally coach are deploying so that took away a lot of coaches," she said. "But, we made it and they are all out there practicing and getting ready for the season."
Wagner said many of the coaches who normally volunteer to coach the sports programs on post could not commit to coaching because of the upcoming deployment, but said there were some coaches who signed up to
coach although they would have to leave at some point in the season.
"Everyone has a coach right now, but if someone wants to be an assistant coach, that would be great," she said. "We do have a couple of coaches who will have to leave, so we definitely need some assistants who can take over."
Wagner said although mostly Soldiers volunteer to be coaches, this year's 9- to 11-year-old soccer program is a little different.
"Our 9 to 11 soccer team has all moms coaching," she said. "That is not a bad thing. It is just unusual for all of one age group to have moms as coaches."
With the exception of assistant coaches for this year's football, soccer and cheerleading programs, CYSS has turned their sights toward seeking coaches for the upcoming wrestling and basketball season.
Wagner encourages individuals interested in coaching wrestling and basketball to get in contact with CYSS as soon as possible. Wrestling is open to children ages 4-15 and basketball is open to ages 6-15.
"We always have kids wanting to participate in sports," Wagner said. "But programs can't run without coaches."
For more information on becoming a volunteer coach, call 706-545-1853 or 706-545-3582.
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