By Walter Scott Jr.
A new coaching organization has formed in Virginia over the past few weeks – the Commonwealth Football Coaches Association, or CFCA.
“This is something we have all been talking about for years,” said Manchester football coach Tom Hall. “We want to unite with the VHSL and have a seat at the table when decisions are being made.”
This collaboration of coaches, ncluding L.C. Bird’s Troy Taylor, has taken off over the past week, and the organization has gained over 1,100 followers since the Twitter account was created May 24.
The organization is looking to help streamline communication coming from the Virginia High School League, and to have a voice in different processes or decisions that come down the pipeline.
Once Hall and Highland Springs coach Loren Johnson got the ball rolling, Dinwiddie coach Billy Mills gave them a call. It didn’t take long for them to hear from coaches outside of the area, such as Brad Bradley from Heritage-Lynchburg.
“It doesn’t matter what division they come from, or what their record is,” Hall said. “Everyone will have a vote, there will be no board.”
Hall wants the organization to build itself for the long haul, as it’s taken steps towards that by filing for 501(c)(3) status to become a nonprofit.
The one thing coaches want to stress is that this organization wants to be a partner with the VHSL, not an opposing party. Various organizations haven’t always followed this model.
The CFCA has six points it wants to follow according to a graphic on social media:
Protect football player health and safety.
Promote coaches: safety training, education, and professional development.
Advocate for football in the state of Virginia.
Do what’s best for kids, football, and our state.
Be proactive, not reactive as an association.
Have amified voice for all coaches in Virginia.
“We really just want to be advocates for football in the state of Virginia,” said Taylor. “We all love the game, our players, and our state,” he continued. “We know that Virginia has some of the best players in the country and we want to be unified.”
In the end, it circles back to education.
“If we can educate our coaches, we’ll have better quality coaching and better quality kids as a result,” Hall explained. “Virginia is one of the top 10 or so states in terms of football; we want to be in the top three.”
Ideas such as concussion protocol training and coaching clinics have been discussed. All four Village News area coaches are a part of the organization: Taylor, Thomas Dale’s Kevin Tucker, Meadowbrook’s Kevin Healy and Matoaca’s Jay Parker.
For more information, look for the organization on Facebook or by the Twitter handle @CFBCA20.
