Fun 3 Head Coach Position Description

Position Summary

FUN3 coaches play a critical role in preparing young athletes for the transition from Children’s Ringette into U12 ringette. As the final stage of the Children’s Ringette pathway, FUN3 helps athletes consolidate their skating and ringette skills, build confidence in game situations, and develop the teamwork, sportsmanship, and game awareness needed for continued success in the sport.

This is a volunteer leadership position that plays a significant role in athlete development, retention, and readiness for future participation in ringette. The successful candidate will be supported by the association through coach development opportunities, program resources, mentorship, and assistance with recruiting assistant coaches, team staff, and other volunteers as needed.

The FUN3 Head Coach is responsible for leading all aspects of team and athlete development while creating a safe, positive, and inclusive environment that encourages participation, skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship, and enjoyment of the game.

FUN3 participants are typically between 8-10 years of age and are refining foundational skills while applying them more consistently in gameplay situations. As the final stage of Children’s Ringette, the program focuses on helping athletes build confidence, game awareness, teamwork, and independence while preparing them for a successful transition to U12 ringette.

Time Commitment

• Weekly practices and games throughout the season
• Practice planning and preparation
• Communication with players, parents, and team staff
• Participation in coach meetings, training opportunities, and association activities as required
• Attendance at team events, festivals, and development opportunities as appropriate

Key Responsibilities

Athlete Development

• Create a safe, inclusive, positive, and engaging environment for all athletes.
• Continue development of strong skating fundamentals, ringette-specific skills, and game awareness.
• Teach and reinforce passing, receiving, shooting, ring control, checking skills, positioning, and decision-making.
• Help athletes apply individual skills effectively within team and game situations.
• Introduce and reinforce age-appropriate team concepts and strategies consistent with Long-Term Athlete Development principles.
• Encourage independence, accountability, confidence, and leadership among athletes.
• Promote sportsmanship, teamwork, respect, and positive behaviour.
• Foster enjoyment and enthusiasm for ringette to encourage long-term participation and athlete retention.
• Ensure all athletes receive meaningful opportunities to participate, develop, and experience success.

Practice and Game Planning

• Develop and deliver structured, age-appropriate practice plans that balance skill development, team concepts, gameplay understanding, and fun.
• Utilize Ringette Canada and Ringette Ontario resources and Long-Term Athlete Development principles when planning practices and activities.
• Design practices that include skating development, skill instruction, small-area games, game scenarios, and team play concepts.
• Provide athletes with opportunities to apply learned skills in increasingly complex game situations.
• Lead team participation in games, festivals, scrimmages, and development opportunities.
• Ensure gameplay experiences remain focused on learning, development, and confidence-building.
• Help athletes develop the skills, habits, and understanding required for a successful transition to U12 ringette.

Parent Engagement and Team Culture

• Establish positive and supportive relationships with parents and guardians.
• Communicate regularly regarding team activities, expectations, and athlete development.
• Help families understand the developmental goals of the FUN3 program and prepare athletes for a successful transition to U12 ringette.
• Promote positive spectator behaviour and sportsmanship.
• Encourage parent participation in team operations and volunteer roles.
• Support parents in fostering positive sport experiences and healthy athlete development.
• Serve as a positive ambassador for ringette and the association within the community.

Team Leadership and Volunteer Development

• Recruit and engage assistant coaches, trainers, team managers, and other volunteers as needed to support team operations.
• Work collaboratively with the association to identify and onboard additional volunteers; support and resources will be provided by the association when requested.
• Mentor and support assistant coaches and new volunteers.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and development-focused team culture.
• Maintain athlete safety and follow all Ringette Ontario, Ringette Canada, and association policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate positive leadership and serve as a role model for athletes, families, and volunteers.
• Complete all required administrative, communication, and team management responsibilities associated with the role.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 18 years of age.
• Strong skating ability with the confidence and competence to demonstrate and teach ringette-specific skating skills and age-appropriate skill progressions.
• Demonstrated experience coaching, teaching, instructing, or leading children in ringette, skating, or comparable sport environments.
• Completion of all Ringette Ontario and Ringette Canada screening requirements.
• Completion of required coaching certifications and Safe Sport training as mandated by Ringette Ontario and Ringette Canada for FUN3 coaches.
• Strong communication, leadership, organizational, and team management skills.
• Commitment to Long-Term Athlete Development principles and the Children’s Ringette philosophy.
• A positive, athlete-centred coaching approach that prioritizes development and enjoyment.

Preferred

• Previous playing experience in ringette.
• Previous coaching experience in ringette or other youth team sports.
• Experience teaching skating and ringette skill development.
• Experience working with children aged 8-10 years.
• Current First Aid certification.
• Experience mentoring assistant coaches or volunteers.

Success in This Role

A successful FUN3 Head Coach helps athletes develop confidence, independence, and competence both on and off the ice. Players leave the season with stronger skating and ringette skills, a better understanding of team play, positive friendships, and excitement about continuing their ringette journey.

Success is measured not by wins and losses, but by athlete development, enjoyment, sportsmanship, family engagement, volunteer growth, and athlete retention. The ideal coach prepares athletes for a successful transition to U12 while ensuring their final year in Children’s Ringette remains fun, positive, challenging, and development-focused.