The free workshops help parents/guardians in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community learn how to positively encourage youth athletes on and off the field. 

3 Takeaways: 

• Positive Coaching Alliance offers coaches tools to build meaningful connections among their athletes and teams. 
• Four workshops have been hosted recently. 
• The MLB, Jr. NBA and the Curry Brand from Stephen Curry utilize Positive Coaching Alliance workshops. 

A superstar athlete in any sport needs the support of their head coach. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community works to ensure that its youth are supported in the many activities they are involved in, especially sports. 

Positive Coaching Alliance is an organization composed of athletic coaches, trainers, leaders and administrators whose goal is to positively encourage and motivate young athletes across the country in various leagues, tournaments and games all year long. 

Organizations such as Major League Baseball, the Jr. NBA and the Curry brand from basketball star Stephen Curry utilize Positive Coaching Alliance’s courses and workshop classes in their leagues and tournaments. 

The Community can host Positive Coaching Alliance workshops and classes thanks to a sponsorship from the Notah Begay III Foundation (NB3), a national nonprofit that works to help Indigenous youth achieve their full potential by advancing Indigenous cultures and community health. 

So far, the SRPMIC has hosted four Positive Coaching Alliance workshops and classes for parents/guardians in the Community. The most recent one was held at the Ske:g Himdag Ki: on Feb. 4. More than 70 Community parents/guardians have attended so far. 

SRPMIC Recreation Division Athletic Program Manager David Willis said that young athletes, though they may show the potential to make it to the professional leagues one day, are only at the beginning of their athletic careers. Therefore, it’s important they remain supported, with positive guidance leading the way. 

“There will be mistakes, and that’s okay. That’s what the classes are about, to teach everyone that mistakes happen and are okay,” Willis said. 

He added, “We’re here to support them in a healthy way. Our goal is inclusion; that’s the key.” 

Willis said that the parents and guardians who attend the classes also learn tips for building success in their personal lives when they’re not coaching.

The free Positive Coaching Alliance workshop classes are a requirement before any coach can participate in the Friendship Youth Sports League games here in the Community. 

“The classes are trauma informed,” Willis said. “We use it for our coaches, mandatory wise, just so they can meet our players where they’re at. We want everyone to be aware that it’s more than just sports.”

Plans are underway for the Ske:g Himdag Ki: to host another Positive Coaching class in April.

To stay up to date on all the events happening at the Ske:g Himdag Ki:, call (480) 362-6800.