Become a Coach

“A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are.”

– Ara Parasheghian

Head Coach Notre Dame, 2x National Champion

Photo Courtesy of Jenny Brinton and Samantha Alvarado

GVYF is looking for high quality coaches who can not only share their knowledge of the game, but also serve as exemplary role models to Grand Valley youth.

All coaches must complete the USA Football Youth Coach Certification. Click the image below to complete your certification now.

All coaches must pass criminal background check. Criminal background checks will be completed through NCSI (National Center for Safety Initiatives). After registering to coach, you will be provided with a link to complete your background check. GVYF will cover the expense of the background check. Please refer to the FAQs below for the criteria for an acceptable background check.

Background checks conducted by NCSI include an automatic re-check at 12 months. Coaches who completed the NCSI background check the year before, do not need to resubmit their background check the second year.

Do I have to pay for the USA Football Certification?

Yes, coaches are responsible for their own USA Football Certification. The current cost is $15. However, GVYF is paying for your background checks.

What is a satisfactory criminal background check?

To be eligible to coach with GVYF, your criminal background check cannot contain any felony charge/conviction in the last 7 years or any other charge/conviction involving a child.

I've coached before with GVYF, why do I need to provide all this information?

We have made an effort to standardize practices this season and ensure that everyone meets the same criteria to coach. Above all, our responsibilities as a league are to provide a safe and positive experience to the kids of the Grand Valley.

This also ensures that we have your correct information in our new system so that you have full access to your team through Crossbar once assigned.

What if multiple coaches request to be head coach of the same team?

If multiple head coaches are interested in the same team, GVYF will conduct interviews with all interested coaches. The following criteria will be used in the selection of head coaches.

A. General character and conduct.

i. Satisfactory background return

ii. Current Coaching Certification through USA Football

iii. Past conduct in GVYF

B. Coaching Knowledge and Experience.

C. Seniority - Seniority is defined as the number of years a person has held a coaching position with GVYF.

D. Good Standing – Good standing includes:

i. Ensuring the coach has met or will meet all certification requirements.

ii. Consideration is also given to the number of complaints, problems, issues, missing equipment, etc. received in prior years for a returning coach.

iii. Attends meetings on a regular basis.

E. Volunteerism - Volunteerism is defined as ensuring the prospective coach:

i. Fills his/her assigned time slot at fund raisers.

ii. Solicits and receives at least 1-2 team sponsors each year.

Head Coach Seniority Determination

A. A head coach returning to their existing team in the same division will be given priority when assigning a team (subject to all criteria above).

B. A head coach moving up a division with their existing team will be given priority immediately following fulfillment of GVYF Bylaws 20.3.D (subject to criteria above).

C. Assistant coaches wishing to take over their returning team as head coach will be given priority over a brand new head coach (subject to criteria above).

D. New head coaches will be assigned to a team if there is a vacant position available (subject to criteria above).