The FAPE Site

PCA's National Youth Sports Awards

Nominate a Coach, School, or Youth Sports Organization

Mental models have power. They affect how people see, think, and behave. If one were to characterize the prominent mental model for coaching, it might be called "win-at-all-cost." The Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) believes this needs to change.

Every year, the PCA awards outstanding coaches and youth sports organizations. Nominees are assessed on the basis of how closely their coaching actions and programs exemplify the Positive Coach Mental Model, by redefining "winner," filling players' emotional tanks, and honoring the game.

To be eligible, coaches must meet these requirements:

1. Their coaching experience must be with athletes of high school age or younger.
   
   
2. They must have at least two years of experience as a head coach.
   
   
3. They must have been actively coaching within the past two years.

Each winner receives an award plaque and an expense-paid trip to San Francisco to accept the award. Each recipient also receives a free PCA workshop, to be awarded to the youth sports organization of his or her designation.

The deadline for submitting nominations is November 30, 2006.

For more information, see the Positive Coaching Alliance Web site.

Related Link

Do the Right Thing—Articles, tips, and conversation about educators promoting thoughtful, respectful behavior with their students. From NEA.

Positive Coaching Alliance, a national non-profit based at Stanford University, is creating a movement to transform the culture of youth sports so that every young athlete can have a positive, character-building experience.