Job Posting: Coaching Director - Axemen Lacrosse Club

Opportunity

The Calgary Axemen Lacrosse Club is seeking a passionate, experienced, and highly organized Coaching Director to provide visionary leadership for our entire coaching staff and development programs. This role is central to creating a consistent, positive, and progressive environment for all our coaches and players, ensuring that every participant has an optimal experience focused on long-term athletic and personal growth.

Term

This is a contract position with a 2 year term.

Qualifications and Experience

• Deep knowledge of the sport of lacrosse and an in-depth understanding of player development models (e.g., Long-Term Player Development).
• Proven, successful experience coaching at the youth level, with a focus on player and coach mentorship.
• Relevant coaching certifications (NCCP Competition Trained is required).
• Exceptional leadership, motivational, and interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with coaches, players, parents, and the Board.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple programs, schedules, and administrative tasks concurrently.

Key Responsibilities

Program Development and Strategy (General & Year-Round)

• Development pathways: Develop a season long Axemen specific development pathway for all athletes of all skill groups U7 through U17
• Curriculum Development: Design, create, and maintain a comprehensive digital library of progressive lacrosse drills suitable for all age and skill levels within the Society.
• Practice Plans: Develop a repository of pre-made, age-appropriate practice plans for coaches to leverage, ensuring consistency in fundamental skill development across all teams.
• Coaching Pathway: Establish a robust program or strategy that provides a progressive pathway for coaching improvement throughout the season and from year to year.
• Off-Floor Training: Explore, research, and potentially implement an option for dryland or off-floor training to support year-round athlete development.
• Liaison: Liaise with CDLA as requested.

Pre-Season Responsibilities

• Coach Recruitment & Selection:
  • With the assistance of the Executive Director, request Coaching Applications annually.
  • Review submitted Coaching Applications.
  • With the assistance of the Executive Director and the VP of Programs, interview Coaching Applicants as required.
  • In consultation with the Executive Director, President, VP of Programs, and VP of Operations, develop a Coaching Depth Chart prior to the Calgary Axemen Lacrosse Club team draft night.
  • Communicate with Head Coaches on the selection of their Assistants.
• Pre-Season Meetings: Attend and lead all pre-season coaches meetings to clearly articulate the Society’s overall vision, development philosophy, and strategic goals for the year.
• Drill Packages: Liaise with the Director of Evaluations to develop drill packages. Drills are to be posted to the Society's website two (2) weeks prior to the first evaluation floor time.
• Coaching Clinics: Plan and schedule coaching clinics (Liaise with the Executive Director to book floor time).
• Goaltender Program Setup:
  • Liaise with the Goalie Coordinator to establish the goaltender training and development program.
  • Create and develop a structured, progressive goaltender-specific development program designed to improve skills, positioning, and strategy.
  • Include a plan for the funds budgeted for the Goalie Coaching Team.

Mid-Season Responsibilities

• Direct Coaching Support & Mentorship:
  • Provide direct support by attending practices for all teams throughout the season to observe, mentor, and assist coaches.
  • Conduct coaching clinics as outlined in the pre-season plan.
• Formal Assessments: Conduct formal assessments during practice visits, evaluating the coach's technique, the overall practice structure, and the effectiveness of support staff.
• Goaltender Development: Organize and host regular, mandatory sessions throughout the season focused exclusively on goaltender development.
• Mid-Season Reporting:
  • Develop a mid-season coach survey for parents, approved by the Board of Directors, delivered to the Executive Director to be dispersed by May 15th.
  • Provide a mid-season report to the Board of Directors on the Coach Development program, including details of on-floor coaches coaching sessions.
  • Provide a mid-season report to the Axemen Board of Directors on the Goalie Development Program.

Post-Season Responsibilities

• Off-Season Planning: Liaise with the VP Programs to develop Off-season Camps, including:
  • Winter Camp
  • Beginner
  • Try-it
  • Girls Lacrosse
• Post-Season Evaluation:
  • Develop a post-season coach evaluation survey, to be approved by the board, and submit it to the Executive Director to be dispersed by July 15th.
  • Submit a post-season evaluation of coaches to the Calgary Axemen Lacrosse Club Board of Directors.
• End-of-Year Summary: Prepare and present a comprehensive end-of-year summary to the Board of Directors and membership, detailing coaching performance, program successes, and development recommendations for the following season.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their coaching philosophy, relevant experience and certifications to vpprograms@axemenlacrosse.com and president@axemenlacrosse.com