Episode 39 - Certification, Smashball and More with James Sneddon

From The First Chair Podcast

In this episode, Frank & Thierry welcome Volleyball Canada's Director for Athlete and Coach Pathways James Sneddon to discuss coaching certification, Smashball, Safe Sport, a club recognition program and Women's National Excellence Program. (1:05) - James' bio (1:20) - What pushed James to pursue volleyball at a very young age? (2:45) - What position did James play? (3:25) - How did James' education background help him progress in his volleyball endeavours? (4:01) - At what stage in his playing career did coach Sneddon know he was eventually going to coach? (5:20) - What are some lessons that coaching at Capilano College taught James? (7:40) - What does his role at Volleyball Canada as a Manager of Sport Development entail? (9:00) - Why was the change in the coaching certification pathway such a big undertaking? (12:50) - How can the online information on coaching certification be more intuitive and perhaps only be on one website? https://coach.volleyball.ca/ (16:45) - What is Smashball and how has it grown quickly? (22:00) - How is Volleyball Canada trying to make Smashball more accessible to schools and clubs? (24:10) - Could there eventually be some Smashball competitions? (25:05) - Is volleyball growing in Canada presently? (26:03) - What is Volleyball Canada developing presently in regards to Safe Sport? (30:30) - How can a badge system perhaps stimulate a higher quality club program delivery? (32:33) - Why will the badge recognition system be more successful than the accreditation process? (34:44) - When will this club approval model likely be put in place? (35:45) - What aspects do clubs tend to be good and not so good at when it comes to being accredited or recognized? (38:45) - What is the Women's National Excellence Program that will be inaugurated in 2020? (42:18) - How will the athletes selected for this program be identified? (44:20) - Would it be possible to have a professional league in Canada or North America?