Saint Mary Boosters of Alexandria, KY

Play Like a Champion

Coach Like a Champion

Designed specifically for youth coaches, the Coaching for Character (C4C) clinic emphasizes the character building elements of sports: teamwork, fairness, friendship, perseverance, courage, and leadership. Based on the latest research in the sport science as well as child & sports psychology, the Play Like a Champion Today Educational Series offers a one-of-a-kind, interactive clinic to educate coaches on how to foster the full development of their athletes through building cohesive teams.

Play Like a Champion staff prepare leaders in youth sports organizations through the country to train coaches in their local organization(s). The “Train the Trainer” model allows the expertise of the Play Like a Champion Today Educational Series staff to fit with the unique character, size, and identity of particular leagues. Coaching for Character clinics train coaches to:

  • Make sports fun for all of the players.
  • Create a welcoming and inclusive team environment.
  • Develop the mind, body, and moral character of their players.
  • Set mental, physical, and moral goals with young athletes.
  • Build a team in which all children feel accepted and cared for .
  • Give children a sense of ownership and control of their sports experience.
  • Re-define winning as the achievement of team-set goals.
  • Build lasting, strong relationships with parents.

All Play Like a Champion coach clinics utilize the GROW approach.
Goals + Relationships + Ownership = Winning

Using the GROW approach, coaches leave Coaching for Character clinics with the preparation required to build a team that succeeds on the field, and to guide young athletes to mature into people with strong moral fiber and healthy lifestyles. Results show that the Play Like a Champion approach to coaching leads to an improved sport experience for all:

  • Children are happier in sports and stay active for more years in sports.
  • Coaches gain an increased sense of pride in the work they are doing.
  • Parents report greater satisfaction with their child’s youth sports experience.
  • Officials feel respected and appreciated.
  • League administrators enjoy the benefits of having professionally prepared coaches committed to the distinct mission of their league.
Who has to take the course?
This is designed for anyone who wishes to be a head or assistant coach (in other words, you cannot coach unless you’ve completed the training).  The program is tracked in conjunction with Virtus.
What if I do not take the course?
Sadly, you will not be able to coach any Saint Mary sports.  This isn’t our choice and the diocese is requiring us follow certain guidelines.
How do I sign up for a class?
Log into Virtus and look for the training section.  When we host a training session at Saint Mary, we will send notifications via email and our Facebook page.

 


Parent Like a Champion

Who has to take the course?
Currently, it is a phased approach.  Any 4th grader participating in Saint Mary sports will need at least one parent to attend a 1-hour PLAC training.  There will not be a need to take the course again, regardless of whether the family has additional younger children who will be in 4th grade at a later date.  If your child participates in high school sports, there is an extended course that may be required for parents when the child reaches the 9th grade.
What if we do not take the course?
Sadly, your child/children will not be able to participate in Saint Mary sports.  This isn’t our choice and the diocese is requiring us follow certain guidelines.
How do I sign up for a class?
Log into Virtus and look for the training section.  When we host a training session at Saint Mary, we will send notifications via email and our Facebook page.