Information package
Greetings from Skyhawks Nation
This is another exciting year for our football program and for Skyhawks families and fans. We are extremely proud of what our football program continues to accomplish and offer to young men in our region looking to excel at this great sport.
We have continued to elevate our talent level, football acumen and fan experience since our inaugural game, and as a Football Club we are wholly focused on continuing that trajectory. With another successful season behind us, we need genuine, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and caring coaches to help continue our commitment to excellence.
At the core of our organization is the genuine way that we care about our student athletes. We feel a great honour and responsibility that the parents of our athletes, and the athletes themselves, have chosen to be part of the Skyhawks Football Club.
We are looking for coaches who endorse and model our culture, which supports athletes, fellow coaches and teams in the pursuit of excellence: to be the best they can be in football and in life.
Coaching with the Skyhawks is a volunteer role, and we never take that for granted. Our players give us their very best every time they step on the field, and they deserve the same from every coach. This year’s package includes a new section, What We Expect of Every Coach, so that everyone joining our staff knows what the commitment looks like before saying yes.
Thank you for your interest in joining our organization. Go Hawks Go!
Peter Gabriel, President, Skyhawks Organization
General information for prospective coaches
Please read this information carefully. Its content may affect your decision to accept or decline an offer to coach in 2027. It does not cover everything; if you have any questions, please contact Aaron Liscombe at aaron@skyhawksfootball.ca.
Applications
All applications are judged on their own merit. Our objective is to appoint quality coaches who are suitably matched to the team they wish to coach. We consider each applicant’s knowledge, experience and personality in relation to the age group. For example, a person who has coached successfully at a senior level will have the football knowledge, but may not have the patience required at every age level.
All appointed coaches are subject to criminal record and vulnerable sector checks.
Coaches must have an NCCP# and have completed Safe Contact, Making Head Way, Community Sport (U10, U12 and U14 coaches) and Safe Sport, as set out in the league by-laws. If you have not completed these, our coaching staff will help arrange the courses.
A coach cannot step on the practice field in the spring unless all required certifications are either complete or registered for.
Head Coach commitment: three seasons New
Our athletes grow up in this program, and they do their best when the person leading their team knows them, knows their families and has a plan for their development from one season to the next. For that reason, Head Coach appointments are a three-season commitment to the same team.
By applying for a Head Coach position, you are agreeing that, if appointed, you intend to:
- Lead the same team for three consecutive seasons, building the program and its players over that time.
- Meet with the Executive at the end of each season to talk about how the year went, what support you need and plans for the season ahead.
- Build your coaching staff with the Executive, and help develop assistant coaches so the program stays strong.
- Let the Executive know as early as possible if your circumstances change and you can no longer continue (ideally before the next application period opens), and help with a smooth handover.
We understand that life happens. This commitment is about continuity for our players, not about holding anyone to a role they can no longer fill. An honest conversation is always welcome.
Many of our coaches have a son on the team they coach, and we love that. Please keep in mind that this is a commitment to the team, not to one player. If you have a son on the team and don’t think you can stay with that team once your son moves up to the next age group, please don’t apply for the Head Coach position.
Tenure, reapplying & dismissal
Tenure
Head Coach appointments are for three consecutive seasons with the same team. When the three seasons are complete, the Skyhawks Executive will re-evaluate the appointment and consider an extension.
Reapplying
All coaches, including current Head Coaches, apply for the 2027 season. Three-season Head Coach appointments begin with the 2027 season. Moving forward, Coordinators and Assistant Coaches reapply each season, and Head Coaches reapply after their third season.
Dismissal
The Skyhawks Football Club reserves the right to dismiss a coach without prior notice if the Executive Committee feels justified in doing so in accordance with the rules of the Club, or if a coach has not completed and submitted their NCCP#, Safe Contact and/or Criminal Record check.
What we expect of every coach New
Every Skyhawks coach is a volunteer, and we are genuinely grateful for the time you give. Our players and families are counting on every coach on the staff, not just one or two. Being a Skyhawks coach is a privilege, and with it comes a shared commitment. These expectations apply to all coaches: Head Coaches, Coordinators and Assistants.
Show up
- Plan to attend every practice and every game. Your players notice when you are there, and when you are not.
- Work, family and illness happen. When you have to miss, let your Head Coach know as early as possible (at least 24 hours ahead whenever you can) and pass along anything your group needs.
- Be on the field and ready to go at least 15 minutes before practice starts.
Come prepared
- Review the practice plan before you arrive and know your drills, stations and teaching points.
- Know your position group: their names, their strengths and what each player is working on.
- Come ready on game day: know the game plan, your responsibilities and your players’ roles.
Be actively coaching
- Every coach on the field has a job. Whether you are running a station, working with a position group or helping a player who is struggling, be engaged with players for the whole practice.
- The sideline is not a place to stand back and watch. If you are unsure what to do, ask the Head Coach and you will be given a role.
- Keep phone use to emergencies while you are on the field.
Communicate
- Check email, Teamlinkt and team group chats daily during the season, and reply to the Head Coach and the Executive within 24 to 48 hours.
- Raise concerns early and directly with your Head Coach or the Executive, not on the sideline or in front of players and parents.
Lead by example
- Model the Skyhawks Coaching Philosophy and Core Covenants in how you speak, act and treat others, on and off the field.
- Support your fellow coaches. A strong staff is one where everyone carries their share.
Expectations of Head Coaches
Head Coaches set the tone for the whole staff. In addition to the above, we ask Head Coaches to:
- Share practice plans with the coaching staff ahead of time (ideally the day before) so everyone can prepare.
- Give every assistant coach a clear role and position group at the start of the season.
- Keep the Executive informed, including letting us know early if a coach is regularly absent or disengaged, so we can help.
We will always start with a friendly, private conversation. Most of the time a quick check-in sorts things out. If a pattern of missed practices, lack of preparation or disengagement continues, the Head Coach and Executive may adjust that coach’s role, or the coach may not be invited back for the following season.
Our commitment to you
In return, the Skyhawks Executive commits to supporting every coach. We will arrange and help with required certifications, provide equipment and coaching gear, keep you informed, listen to your feedback, and recognize the time and effort you put into our players.
Coaches operational duties
Email, text & Teamlinkt
Information is sent out daily and weekly by email, Google Docs and Sheets, Hudl and Teamlinkt. It is important that you have daily access to your technology so you stay up to date and can respond to Club Executives in a timely manner.
Coach absence
If you have to miss a practice or game, make sure the Head Coach and fellow coaches know as early as possible, and leave any information needed for your unit’s practice or game plan.
Meetings
Attendance at coaches meetings is compulsory. Meetings are called by the Head Coach and Assistant Coach. A typical year includes:
- 1 pre-season coaches and team managers meeting
- Club Development Day near the start of the season
- 2 or 3 coaches meetings through the year
- 2 to 3 practices a week, with possible film sessions
Fundraising
Coaches are asked to support the club’s fundraising by taking part themselves and encouraging others on the team to do the same.
Game day set-up and take-down
Coaches are encouraged to help the Executive and family groups at home games with the canteen, sponsorship ads, sales materials, field preparation, goal posts, yard markers and tents.
Skyhawks coaching philosophy
- Genuine care for players and consideration of their individual needs
- Creating team togetherness and a working coach-athlete relationship
- Creating a community within the coaching staff, supporting each other while building a strong team
- Deep passion and drive to pull the best out of each player
- Being professional always, on the field and off; leading by example
- Above all else, making every second count and making it enjoyable
Core covenants for coaches
Teamwork
“The disease of me is the defeat of us.” Team first.
- A team-first mentality is taught and lived. No hidden agendas.
- Respect and honour decisions made by other coaches (Head Coach, OC, DC).
- Communicate player roles and guide players in playing as a team.
- Celebrate and encourage the roles of all coaches.
- Carry your share: every coach is present, prepared and engaged.
Sportsmanship
How we represent and conduct ourselves.
- Teach life lessons through athletics.
- Set, share and follow through with expectations for behaviour.
- Value and reinforce sportsmanship.
- Be a positive, professional role model at practice and on game day.
Excellence
Reaching our potential through continuous effort and practice.
- Compete at a level to reach full potential, with a goal to win.
- Practices are challenging, start and end on time, and get the most out of each athlete.
- Understand system installs and expectations for each position.
- Be prepared at practice and on game day.
Perseverance
Overcoming challenges with continuous effort.
- Coach every minute of every contest.
- Promote a relentless, never-give-up attitude.
- Coach through adversity and build mental toughness with a positive attitude.
- Always believe the best in every individual.
Duties and responsibilities
- Adhere to and promote the coach, league and club codes of conduct
- Accept and abide by all committee decisions
- Have a competent understanding of game, competition, league and club rules
- Attend all games and practices, arriving on time and prepared; notify the Head Coach as early as possible when an absence can’t be avoided
- Plan, organize and run practices with age-appropriate drills and development training for all players and abilities
- Actively coach throughout every practice and game, taking ownership of an assigned position group or role
- Instruct football skills and team tactics
- Encourage and support all players to reach their full potential and enjoy the game
- Identify each player’s skill level and match the learning experience to that player
- Give clear instruction and positive feedback to the team and individual players
- Attend club meetings on request, and represent the club at official functions
- Keep upgrading your skills, knowledge of the game and training techniques
- Understand injury prevention, care and risk management
- Build team morale and a connection with all the players
- Make every effort to ensure each player’s participation is fun and positive
- Teach and live a team-first mentality. No hidden agendas.
- Respect and honour decisions made by other coaches (Head Coach, OC, DC)
Code of conduct
This application is to be read with the Coaches Core Covenants. If an alleged breach of the Quinte Skyhawks Football Coaches Code or OFC league by-laws occurs, it will be investigated by the league’s nominated representatives and our Executive, who will decide whether a breach occurred and what penalty applies. This is separate from any penalty the OFC may hand down.
Application form
Application received
Thank you for applying to coach with the Quinte Skyhawks. The selection committee will review all applications after January 31, 2027, and we’ll contact you to set up an interview.
Your reference number is .
Please send your criminal record check to aaron@skyhawksfootball.ca when you have it.
We received your criminal record check.
A confirmation email is on its way to you.