FOOTBALL COACHES REQUIRED

BY KEVIN MITCHELL
SPORTS EDITOR

Ron Kirschner didn't know the difference from a slotback and ta cornerback when he first coached minor football.
That hardly stopped him from learning the game and progressing to where he is today: coaching co-ordinator for the Vernon Minor Football Association.
His mission these days is to find some good men who want to help guide youngsters aged 7-15.
"I spent a lot of time watching TV and picking the guys' brains about football," said Kirschner, who coaches the Junior Bantam Marauders. "I didn't know all the names of the positions."
Doug Cook of the Bantam Wolverines is the longest-serving coach in minor football, which has close to 175 players. Young minor grads like Chris and Tarl Sochan are also making a difference with the Atom age (7-9 years) players.
"Chris and Tarl make it a lot of fun for the kids," said Kirschner. "They are excellent kids who came up through the system.
"What we are looking for are guys who want to make a difference in kids' lives, teach them life skills. Football is just the tool we use to do it. The great thing about football is that there is a position for every body shape."
He says newcomers don't have to know the rulebook by heart, or recite every starting quarterback in the CFL or NFL.
"We'll put them with experienced coaches," said Kirschner. "We also need trainers and first-aid people, and referees (who get paid $25 a game.)"
Kirschner said minor football is getting great support from high schools like Kalamalka and Fulton, where Laker head coach Ryan Reid and the Maroons' Mike Scheller run solid programs.
Bill Tarr with the Junior Bantam Vikings and Dean Strachan of the Yellowjackets and Neil Brownbill with the Bombers, in PeeWee, are among other returning coaches.
Kirschner said last year's Polson Park grandstand fire set the association back, but he credits equipment manager Mark Montville with preserving the organization's future.
"Mark did a huge job after the fir," said Kirschner. "He did a tremendous job on inventory and purchasing. We were able to replace most of our equipment so we are so fortunate to have Mark, who is a defensive coach as well."
Registration for football is ongoing at Sun Valley Source for Sports and RONA Building Centre.
There will be a Level 1-11 coaching theory and technical course next weekend in Kelowna.

Call Kirschner at 549-4818.