Learn From the Coach
If you've been in the band for more than a month, you likely know that I am not really, in many ways, a sports fan. Unlike some of us, it is unlikely you'll ever see my face painted green, unless maybe the Speers Funeral people think it would be funny when the time comes. What I do love about watching sports, and the thing I loved about participating when I did on occasion, was that there is a lot that is transferable to a pipe band setting.

We operate as a team, we depend on each other to play well, we need cooperation, team spirit and a common purpose. In pipe bands, we compete with other pipe bands, and we compete with other players in the same band for a spot on the field. Like all of you, I raced home from band and snapped on the TV to see the game. You Winnipeg guys were already soaked in beer and celebrating the win in Toronto, and now we have the best of all possible finals: Saskatchewan and Winnipeg. We expect Rob Bailie to be really wasted regardless who wins. Don't let us down.

Anyway, my larger point is this: I have listened a lot to what Rider Coach Kent Austin has said about his team and its performances since September, and I think there are some transferable things to the CRPB situation. Austin continually stresses that it is the expectation that players will show up ready to play, that they will know their play books, and execute accurately, and when they don't, he doesn't mince words for the team or the media: he just lays it out there. He says what is going well, and he says clearly what needs to be improved. Expectations are clearly defined. Individual targets are set, and as they were today and last week: goals are reached.

Make no mistake: having a better pipe band here means we all have to raise our game. It's not about who the band members are, how many we have, etc. It's all about your sound, your steadiness, and your knowledge of the music. In the next while, I am going to set general expectations for players at band, and start providing detailed information about what needs to be done to meet them.

Meantime, wear your green shirt to band next week. And you Winnipeg guys: bring your banjos to band on the 1st.