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With The Coach:
Kurt Legler coaches all year round
John Meagher
The Gazette
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Legler with his team.
With the Coach is a weekly series featuring a conversation with a local coach.
Coach: Kurt Legler, a 43-year-old Beaconsfield resident
Teams: Lakeshore U-10 boys soccer and atom BB hockey
Playing experience: Local youth soccer
Years coached: Seven
Best coaching tip: Play with a smile and practise harder than you play.
Kurt Legler is a busy man these days. Between coaching intercity soccer and atom BB hockey for Lakeshore, Legler, who turned 43 yesterday, finds late summer one of the busiest times of the year.
When did you start?
Legler: I started coaching my oldest son, Matthew, at the U-5 level. He’s now 12.
Did you play soccer?
Legler: I moved to Kirkland in ’74 and my dad signed me up for soccer against my wishes. I started in house league and ended up playing at the intercity level.
Was soccer as organized back then?
Legler: In the 1970s and ’80s, we used to practise at Allancroft School on hard gym floors. Now, with indoor facilities, soccer is becoming year-round, which I don’t know is such a good thing.
How do you juggle coaching two sports?
Legler: It certainly is a challenge. Luckily, I have support within my family.
Does soccer season ever really end?
Legler: We get a week or two off, then tryouts are held. We’re off for two weeks, then it starts all over again. I know I have an issue with that. Kids need a two- or three-month break from a sport to really have that passion when it is time to practice and play hard.
Have you held other volunteer posts?
Legler: I was novice hockey general manager for two years. It took up to 30 hours a week, from the end of August till mid-November.
Are you more of a hockey guy than a soccer guy?
Legler: I certainly have more passion for hockey than soccer, but I love both sports.
Are your children playing hockey this winter?
Legler: Yes. And I’m glad my kids love team sports.