Commission outlines coach resources, proposes referee training as field shortage looms

A committee member told the Villa Park parks and recreation commission that a compiled packet of soccer skills and drills is complete and will be shared with spring coaches, crediting contributions from Adam Dorhauer, Jeff Logan and Rick Tarsitano. "And I have compiled that, through the contributions of Adam Dorhauer, Jeff Logan, and Rick Tarsitano," the committee member said.

Staff said there is no dedicated 'coach's corner' on the department website now but offered to work on adding one to help distribute materials to assistant coaches and others. "We don't have anything set up now, but that is something that I could definitely work on getting that set up," the staff member said.

The commission also discussed offering training programs for baseball umpires and soccer officials through parks and rec, with a volunteer instructor offering to lead classes. The committee member proposed placing those offerings in the fall brochure to prepare high-school-aged participants for employment opportunities as officials: "...the ideal demographic would be students at the high school level that are already participating in sports, to get them involved, offer employment opportunity," the committee member said.

Staff advised that timing will be a factor: the summer brochure had already gone to a first draft, so programs proposed now would likely appear in fall offerings; staff encouraged the volunteer to send an email or call to begin planning.

Commissioners returned to the topic of field availability after staff reported that the commission will not have use of the Iowa Community Center fields this spring while the fire department occupies the site. Staff said the department is exploring Jackson fields and other local options but warned some candidate sites have parking or grading problems. "We talked about going back to Jackson to use the fields over there for soccer," the staff member said, while noting parking and field quality may limit options.

The commission asked staff to research viable field alternatives and to explore whether Rotary Park or other open fields could be adapted; staff said prior discussions with the first department found limitations but agreed to revisit the options and check ownership and suitability.

Next steps: staff will work with the volunteer instructor on scheduling for fall programming and evaluate field alternatives for spring use. The commission did not take a formal vote on training programs or field transfers at this meeting.