Today I am acknowledging one coach, Bruce Erikson, who has been coaching soccer in our community for more than 30 years; however, with this column I am also acknowledging approximately 340 local volunteer soccer coaches who work with house, rep and metro teams … and that doesn’t include team managers and parent helpers; Hidden Heroes all.

Writing about Bruce in 600 words is a challenging if not impossible task so I have invited some of the kids he coaches and their parents to express their feelings

Holly Calvin wrote, “Bruce is simply a really nice, fun, funny and selfless man. He always does what is best for his players; he has an excellent rapport with them and also their parents; he loves the game; and he is great at passing his passion on to the players and their families. Finally he makes playing fun.”

She went on to talk about the six team rules: respect your team mates, respect the ref, respect your coach, follow the game plan, do well in school, and don’t do drugs. By consistently sticking to these rules, Bruce has gained the respect of both his players and their parents, she says.

Toryn Barsby, one of Bruce’s players, wrote, “Bruce's huge knowledge of the game is what makes him a good coach. If something goes wrong in a game he encourages us, he doesn't scream and yell like some other coaches. He coaches soccer because he loves the game and he believes in his team.”

Melanie Ward, one of the parents, wrote, “We are grateful to have fallen under his guidance. He has a quiet, calm manner yet he demands respect, punctuality, accountability, sportsmanship, hard work and effort, and many other admirable qualities. He is exactly the kind of man I want my son to look up to for direction. He sets a great example for our boys to follow, and the boys respond by doing exactly that. Heck he even gets the parents to wear their soccer boots, just so they can earn a Worthers candy from him … not that any one of us couldn’t afford to buy a whole bag for ourselves, it’s just that they somehow taste so much better coming from him.

Dorian Lewis-Willie, a parent, wrote, “Bruce is a great coach. He makes it fun and he is definitely doing it for the boys because he doesn’t have a son of his own on the team.”

And from another player, “Without dedicated coaches like Bruce and Rob, there would be no soccer for us kids to enjoy.” – Luke Tennison

All of the parents and players agree that Bruce teaches so much more than simple soccer skills. He also, they say, teaches kids to play the game with their mind, not just their physical skills; how to be a team player; the importance of reliability (always being on time); responsibility to self and others; self motivation; respect for self and others;and accountability. These are the kind of lessons that will breed future leaders in our community and beyond.

Bruce asked that we acknowledge the legion because they have supported many teams he has coached over the years. It’s this support that allows teams to pay tournament fees and other expenses. He also says that the positive example set by so many legion members has influenced his coaching philosophy over the years.

Finally, several parents and kids told me they would be remiss if they didn’t acknowledge Rob Shelley, Bruce’s assistant coach. Bruce coached Rob as he was growing up before he went on the play for UBC on a team that won the Canadian Championships. What goes around ...

Here’s to Bruce and all the other Hidden Heroes who volunteer to work with our children in sports and the arts too.