Being a part of football has been as natural a thing for Tracy Collins-Decker as being a mother. It was simply something she did and enjoyed.
She even played the game during her school years, becoming more involved when her son began playing.
“I was helping with Lindsay Thurber for many years in a management position,” she said, working for both the bantam team and the high school squad.
Her son graduated three years ago but here she is now, patrolling the sidelines as the first female head coach in the Red Deer Minor Football system.
“I was asked,” she stated about how this all came about.” It was a new opportunity that was presented to me and I had to deliberate about that for awhile and then I thought why not? Get involved and give back the same way coaches have always given to my son.”
She’s working with the Peewee Hornets team which she feels is a great age to work with as they’re not too serious yet and it’s more about building the fundamentals and a love for the game.
She credits her son for helping her learn more about the game when he was getting a football education at the same time.
“As a single mother I had to go through things. He’s trying to run things through his head so he’s doing it on the kitchen table, running things and questions and test me on this and try me on that, running him through his drills. A lot of fun and a lot of one on one time. It was really good for both of us.”
Her attraction to the game was based on her belief about football being so much of a team sport.
“If there’s one player on the field that’s not doing their job then everything falters. They really have to learn to depend on each other. They have to learn to work together as a team. Whether they like each other on or off the field is irrelevant. Working together is what’s most important and I think it’s a really big part of life in general so I think it’s a really good foundation for any kid to have.”
Technically she’s unique in being the first female to be a head coach in the city league but she doesn’t feel special because of that designation.
“Out there with the kids I’m just another involved parent is what it really comes down to,” she said.
As for the players, at first it was more along the lines of a quizzical ‘that’s somebody’s mom out there,’ kind of comment.
“They did at first when we were doing signups they would immediately go to the male coaches and then somebody would point out that is your head coach over there,” she said.” Then immediately they were fine with it. I haven’t had any negative responses from any parents or kids.”
But once the games begin she just might not get the same level of acceptance from opposing players or coaches. It’s something she’s prepared for in her mind.
“Blow it off like everything else. The boys have to do it on the field if they make a mistake. Let it go. Just move on to the next thing and prove ourselves that way. There’s always someone who is going to find something negative so you just have to move past it.”
Now while she’s teaching the kids about football Tracy says she will be doing some learning as well, including how to reach out for help when it’s needed.
“I’ve always been the one offering the help and taking things from somebody else and doing that thing. There’s been more than enough offers and parents stepping up to help.”
One other adjustment she’s had to make is answering to the moniker of coach.
“ I’ve always just gone by my first name at any level,” she said.” Having to pick up on the fact that when they’re calling out coach, they might actually be speaking to me.”
Get comfortable with it coach.
