News & Views

Coaching the Coaches: NCCS Athletic Staff Enjoy an Afternoon of Professional Development

Country School was excited to welcome Jeff Vennell, Senior National Staff Coach for the United Soccer Coaches Academy, to campus Wednesday to lead our athletic coaching staff in a professional development clinic.
“We are fortunate to be able to have someone of Coach Vennell’s caliber and experience work with us; it was a great afternoon out on the field,” said Director of Athletics Keri Kern.
 
Vennell has held coaching and administrative positions at Columbia University, Williams College, Kenyon College and the University of Rochester as well as positions with various youth soccer associations. In 2008, he was the recipient of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's Honor Award. He currently helps train coaches and is the Chair of the United Soccer Coaches Foundation Committee.

Told through the lens of soccer, Coach Vennell’s message was universal. In addition to running drills and modeling practice sessions for the group, he also dispensed advice for guiding children to their fullest potential.

“Great coaches — just like great athletes — are always seeking ways to improve technique and approaches. We found this clinic had something for all our coaches regardless of whether they are seasoned veterans or new apprentice coaches. My favorite takeaway from the clinic, was less lines, less talk, more doing,” said Ms. Kern.

Click here for more information about the NCCS athletic program.
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New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.