Like most minor hockey coaches, Mark Martin started coaching because his kids were involved in hockey.
Currently following his third kid through the various hockey leagues, Martin has coached every league, over the course of the past 15 years. He’s currently coaching the Atom League team, which is the top in its category in the Cowichan Valley.
The key to successful coaching, he said, is to make sure the kids are keeping it fun.
Success, he said, is “everyone getting along and playing together as a team, and trying to have fun at the same time.”
In keeping with this having fun mentality, Martin has led the teams he’s coached to a few victories.
Last year, his Atom team won the Port Alberni tournament. A few years ago, the girls Midget team he coached ended up top in the South Island League.
It isn’t just Martin coaching this year’s Atom team, he said. He’s helped quite a bit by fellow coaches John Hieta, Greg Clayton, and David Janzen.
The kids themselves are wonderful, Martin said.
“It’s great to be with the kids,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Martin’s youngest kid, Luke Martin, 10, still has a few years left in minor hockey. When Luke’s done with the Midget League, Mark said that he’s not sure whether or not he’ll continue coaching.
Time will tell, the enthusiastic coach said.