While most people involved were on board when mandatory licensing of youth soccer coaches began last fall in Kentucky, not all were.
“Some people (were) saying, ‘Fine, I’m not going to coach if that’s the case,’ ” said Adrian Parrish, director of coach and player development for the Kentucky Youth Soccer Association.
“My response is, don’t coach then. I’m not backing down in what I’m doing.”
Kentucky now requires “select-level” coaches be licensed.
Parrish, a native of Louth, England, has been in his position for 2 1/2 years.
He has more than 10 years’ experience coaching players from recreational to professional levels.
“We require teachers to go and get educated,” Parrish said. “We require dentists, whoever else is responsible for something with children to get education.
“We’ve had a couple (of people) still moaning and groaning, trying to find loopholes and are failing so far, that don’t want to do it. The thing is I’ll work with people.
“I’m willing to get people educated and help them get educated, because it’s about getting the players better.”
