Kids who have the experience of working with a great coach usually feel that impact for the rest of their lives. But not every child has a great coach. And not every child has access to a youth sports program.
The Positive Coaching Alliance aims to change that, with a mission “to change the culture of youth sports so that every child, regardless of social or economic circumstance, has access to a positive youth sports experience.”
The Alliance argues that the youth sports experience should be:
- Positive, with a focus on enjoyment and personal growth, instead of a singular focus on competition. PCA’s training helps coaches learn to make youth development a priority.
- Equitable, with a goal of providing all children the chance to participate and thrive in sports, no matter their economic or social status.
- Accessible, with a goal of allowing children of diverse needs and backgrounds to play, ensuring “no child is left out due to logistical challenges.”
The PCA does this through in-person and online training for coaches, athletes, parents, leadership, and business teams, as well as partnerships, sports equity work, events, recruitment, and a robust collection of resources on its website.
Working with the Oakland Unified School District’s Elementary School Youth Sports Program, the PCA helped to create more than 4,000 new opportunities, mostly for low-income youths. “This program not only increased participation, but also improved connections to the school and community, showcasing the power of positive and equitable sports programs,” the PCA states on its website.
The PCA’s live and online workshops “combine the latest in sports, educational psychology, and organizational behavior with practical advice from a National Advisory Board of top pro and college athletes and coaches who use our principles at the highest level of competition.”
Learn more and get involved by visiting www.positivecoach.org. RM
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