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2010 CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO BE A CHAMPION “Win the day!” That was Head Coach Marc Trestman’s rallying cry We kept our vision of winning. We kept our cool. We kept working. In throughout last season and it was especially important as we headed one of the most exciting Grey Cup finals ever, we ended up winning into the 2009 Grey Cup Championship. We worked hard all year – 28-27 on the last play of the game. We became the Grey Cup Cham- training, studying, practicing, and winning most of our games. We did pions because we never quit. everything within our control to be ready for anything. This Playbook for Success is to encourage you to challenge yourself to At half-time, we were losing 17-3. We could have given up. Instead, be a champion in your own life. We hope it will help you to establish we stuck together and challenged ourselves to do better. Our quarter- your goals and to stay focused and determined in achieving them – back, Anthony Calvillo, said as long as we were on the field we had even when it feels like the odds are against you. Take it from us: you a chance. can be a winner if you stay in the game! WHAT’S YOUR GOAL? HOW ARE YOU MAKING IT HAPPEN? Successful people – whether leaders of a As a coach, I’m not so much concerned team or in charge of their own lives – about being in charge as I am about always have a clear vision of what they establishing good relationships with want to achieve. everyone on our team. Building good re- lationships takes time. People have to get Find a picture of what you want to accom- to know each other. Trust has to be plish or be, or draw one. Then put it up on developed. It’s only then I really know your wall where you can see it every day how I might be able to help each player. and be reminded of your goal. Also write it down; put that affirmation where you Of course, there are times when you’re can read it daily. Say it to yourself often, in charge of a team when you have to then start working at it. make tough decisions. It’s important that Marc Trestman you base your decisions on a clear under- If your vision isn’t accompanied by a sin- Montreal Alouettes Head Coach standing of the facts in a situation rather cere passion, focus and effort on a daily than your own emotions. basis, it won’t happen. You must have a we create our best chances for success. list of things you can do every day to work It’s important to treat everybody with towards your goal. When you achieve success, it can be hard respect. You also have to make sure every- to maintain or build on it. When you’re one understands his importance to the Of course, many things are beyond our successful, it’s easy to get caught up in team’s success. We all have unique respon- control. However, there are just as many celebrating and to stop doing what made sibilities, but we’re all equally important. things we can do. It’s by consistently you successful in the first place. working on things within our control that Leadership takes certain skills Al Petitpas Director, Springfield College Center for Youth Development and Research When I ask athletes what leadership skills they have learned from their sport, they often say dedication and perseverance. LET’S HUDDLE These are important, but they reflect attitudes rather than skills. Leadership skills include being able to communicate well and get along with others. They also involve good problem-solving, decision-making, time-management and team-building. People with strong leadership skills can help us to achieve our full poten- tial. They care about the long-term success of the members of their team. A good leader can be a teacher, a coach, an instructor, another student or someone else in charge of a goal you want to reach or activity you want to do well in. Here are some tips to identify good How do you behave when you leaders and develop your own leadership skills: have to work in a group situation? • Good leaders don’t say one thing and then do something else. Instead, they show how Give examples of when students they expect others to act by their own good behaviour. can work better as groups or • They admit their mistakes. They might also reveal times when they were not successful teams rather than on their own. at something. What would you do if someone in • Good leaders ask for ideas. They invite others to have input in certain decisions. your group was too bossy? • They create an environment where everyone feels safe enough to try new ideas or skills, What would you do if members of even if there’s a risk of failure. your group were not doing their • After a game or project is over, good leaders get together with their team to discuss share of the work? what they did well, what they could improve, and what steps they will take to be more successful the next time. They also thank people who have made a special effort. Special section published by The Gazette, 2010, for the CN Adopt an Alouette program. Text: Julie Gedeon. Translation: Tanya Karras. Editing: Bernie Goedhart. Cover design: Stacy Anastasopoulos. Layout:Todd Bedbrook. Alouettes coordinators: Wes Smith, Mia Bergman, Melina Tartaglia, Marie-Claude Bérubé. Gazette coordinators: Manon Brosseau, Michal Wielgus. Unless otherwise noted, all photos (including the cover) are courtesy of the Montreal Alouettes. Centrespread/photo montage: Montreal Alouettes, CN. 2 MontrealAlouettes.com 2010 00909763 BEING A LEADER MEANS 9 BEING YOU AT YOUR BEST I’m so proud that my teammates have It’s important to get along with people. A voted me as one of their captains for two leader isn’t someone hollering at others straight years. It means they appreciate to do things. A leader brings out the best my leadership. in others. You do that by calmly dis- cussing problems and finding solutions After eight seasons with the Alouettes, I that work for everybody. have a lot of experience to share with younger players. One of the most impor- Remember to always be yourself. We all tant things is how to mentally handle have different personalities, strengths tough situations. For example, staying and talents. Some of the best leaders are calm even when time is running out. shy people who earn respect by working Anwar Stewart hard. Also remember that everyone – no Defensive End I didn’t become a leader overnight. I de- matter how good – needs help or sup- veloped those skills when I was young. 6-foot-4 and 255 lbs port at some point. I was blessed in high They are skills that can help anyone be- school to have a football coach and a Education: University of Kentucky come more successful. You begin with teacher who encouraged me to apply clear goals. Even though I grew up in a Knowing your responsibilities is essential. Born: February 9, 1976 myself, and persevere. Coach Trestman difficult family situation, I never lost sight Always find out exactly what’s expected told us all last season to “win the day” by of who I wanted to be and what I want- of you and then do it to the best of your playing 57 + 3 minutes – the whole hour ed to achieve. I wasn’t sure I would be- abilities. Be disciplined. Practice or study in a game. And we won the Grey Cup in come a professional football player, but I every day to get better at everything. the final second! So never, ever give up knew football and university studies Show up on time. Complete your assign- on yourself! would take me to my goal of helping ments on time – earlier, if possible. young people one day. Being prepared is always a key to success 43 Guillaume Allard-Caméus, Fullback Even when you’re put into a difficult situation, there’s always a way to rise to the challenge. When I was signed by the Alouettes in the middle of last season, it was really stressful at first. I grew up in Laval and idolized the Als, so I didn’t want to disappoint my new team. I only had a few days to practise before my first game. The other players really helped me to learn the plays and the other team’s strengths and weaknesses. Preparation is the key to success. I studied all the plays as much as I could before that first game in Van- LET’S HUDDLE couver. On the day of the game, I went to the stadi- um early so I could get comfortable with my sur- roundings, make sure I had enough food and water, and recheck my equipment. Being well prepared al- ways calms my nerves. In school, I always prepared ahead of time. I began studying for an exam two weeks beforehand. If there was something I didn’t understand, I asked my teachers to explain it. You can’t do that if you wait to cram the night before a test. On exam day, I always woke up ear- Make a list of things you have ly, had a good breakfast, and then double-checked that I had everything I needed in my school- been avoiding. In separate bag.

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