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maskmatters.org
FALL 2017
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{
DID YOU KNOW?
}
About 25 percent of teen athletes consider rule-bending and aggressive behavior acceptable in competition.
THE
POWER
OF
POSITIVE
By // Julia De Simone
“When youth
athletes feel they
are connected to
their coach and
teammates, they
will commit to
giving their best
effort to the team.”
– Jim Thompson
N
early two decades ago, Jim
Thompson founded Positive
Coaching Alliance (PCA)
with the premise of not merely
creating “better athletes, but
better people.” And since its
creation in 1998, it’s become
the moniker of the
organization.
“When youth athletes
feel they are connected to
their coach and teammates, they
will commit to giving their best
effort to the team. And the reverse
is also true. Kids will not commit to a
team until they feel connected to their
coach and teammates. It is the relentless
filling of ‘emotional tanks’ that connects
athletes and unlocks all the wonderful
benefits that sports can convey to kids,”
Thompson blogged on the PCA website.
Today, PCA provides resources to
promote a positive, character-building
sports culture for youth and high school
sports’ coaches, parents, administrators
and student athletes throughout the
United States.
And much of it is at your fingertips,
including free audio-video, printable tips
and online tools. In addition, PCA partners
with roughly 3,500 schools and youth
sports organizations nationwide to deliver
live-group workshops, online courses and
books. Costs for school collaborations vary,
but may be covered via grants and/or
corporate underwriting donations.
In addition to an array of resources,
PCA also recognizes outstanding
coaches and high school athletes through a
variety of awards programs:
x
Double
- Goal Coach Award is
given to youth and high school sports
coaches who embody the ideals of striving
to win while teaching life lessons through
sports;
x
Triple
- Impact Competitor
Scholarships are awarded to high school
athletes based on their essays explaining
how they meet standards in personal
mastery, leadership and honoring the game;
x
National Youth Sports Award
recognizes coaches and individuals at the
organization’s largest annual fundraising
event.
