Herbert pays it forward
Troy Herbert just can’t get enough of football.
For the past 18 years, the 51-year-old St. Catharines native has officiated hundreds of high school and travel football games in Niagara.
He started coaching in minor football a few years ago in the nine-on-nine bantam football program and last season he joined his son with the Niagara Spears bantam program.
“They had known me as an official for 18 years and they asked if I would help out with the team. Last year, I was a defensive line coach for the U14 team and this year I was asked if I would take on the reins as the under-14 head coach,” the Grimsby resident said.
The supervisor of health and safety services and security at the Toronto zoo had no qualms about taking the position.
“It’s to give back. Seeing what Brian (Duguay) did when I was playing for him and how he has built the organization over the past 20 years, it was something I could throw my hat behind and support giving the kids a place to play and develop them for the next levels.
Herbert met Duguay, the head coach of the varsity Spears squad, in the late 1980s when he was playing lineman for Grantham High School.
“He had just come back from university and was one of the coaches who helped coach me when I was playing high school football. When I was 15 , I was kinda his first coaching gig.”
Herbert’s officiating background will be a benefit in his new position.
“It will enable me to help the players develop the skills to play within that rule book and give them the guidance as to what is legal and was is illegal,” he said. “A lot of the rules have changed from way back from when I played until now. I want to give the kids a good, solid foundation of why we are doing things a certain way.”
Herbert’s coaching goals are simple.
“My philosophy is ensuring the kids are having fun and developing their skills to move them up to the next level to the JV team and then the U18 team. I want to give everybody the opportunity to try and play. The first thing is that they have to be able to protect themselves on the field.”
It’s no accident that having fun is at the top of his list.
“If they are not having fun and enjoying being out there, then I don’t think they will return to the sport. As we can all see, the numbers are down with football in a lot of areas. Some of the high schools and some of the minor programs are struggling with numbers so if we are not making it fun, they will find something else to do.”
He is excited about his new role.
“I am looking forward to giving back to the community and building that relationship l had when a coach coached me when I was 15 years old,” Herbert said. “I’ve known him (Duguay) forever and I kept in contact through officiating and whatnot. I want to help kids and give them another avenue of learning.”
His son, Tristan, is a returning linebacker on the bantam Spears but he won’t receive preferential treatment.
“I told the coaches that he is here but you guys decide what he does. I am hands-off with that because it is a tough balance. We have had discussions. When we are in the car, I am dad and when we’re on the field I am coach.”
Tryouts started indoors the third week of January and Herbert is pleased with his team.
“I am excited with what I have. We are a little on the smaller side but we have a lot of speed. That will be the key to our team. We will be fast and quick.”
There are presently 31 players in camp.
“We are up from last year which is good and the nice thing is it is not all 2010 kids. I think I have about 11 2011 players which means that if I can make their experience enjoyable I should have them back next season. That will allow me to start next season a lot further down the road than I did this year.”
He has six or seven returning players this season.
His team’s style of play will be evident to all.
“We are going to be fun and have a good work ethic. That is what we are going to base our team on and go from there,” Herbert said. “Wins and losses are what show on the scoreboard but what is most important is how we achieve our goals. If the kids give a 100 per cent effort, you can’t ask for anything more.”
