Partnership Increases Coach, Student, Parent Education
By Thayne Johnson, Activities Director
Participation in youth sports in America is at an all time high. According to one study, an estimated 43 million kids between the ages of 6 and 17 participate in at least one organized sport. This rate of participation has had a serious impact, both positive and negative, on the culture of youth sports. A new partnership at Hutchinson Public Schools aims to create a positive, character-building experience.
Starting with the 2017-18 school year, Hutchinson Public Schools is excited to announce a partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA). PCA is an organization whose mission is simply “Better Athletes, Better People”. They work with over 3,500 school districts across the United States, including a growing number here in Minnesota. PCA uses a combination of workshops, books, and online resources to help education coaches, students, and parents in an effort to transform the culture of youth sports.
Prior to the start of the 2017 fall season, we hosted a workshop for all head coaches. PCA sent out a keynote speaker who led an hour and a half discussion with our coaches introducing some key concepts in the PCA organization. We talked a lot about three main concepts: redefining what it means to be a winner, filling the emotional tanks of our athletes, and honoring the game. Coaches were encouraged to put into practice the ideals presented during the workshop and to continue teaching life lessons through sports. Coaches will be getting monthly updates with different resources that they can put into practice with their student athletes.
Moving forward, we will be hosting a workshop for our student leaders sometime in March, with the emphasis being on what it means to be a Triple-Impact Competitor. The three key aspects of being a Triple-Impact Competitor are improving self, helping others, and respect for the game. We also plan on hosting a workshop for parents in the fall of 2018. The parent workshop will provide tips on how to help your student process the ups and downs of youth sports.
We believe that this partnership will be a benefit to the coaches, students, and parents of Hutchinson Public Schools. If you are interested in learning more about PCA and explore some of the possibilities, feel free to visit their website at www.positivecoach.org
