Northern Virginia Majestics News Release - www.novafc.org
March 19, 2013
STANFORD, CA – Northern Virginia Majestics coach Marie Schweitzer has won Positive Coaching Alliance’s coveted Double-Goal Coach Award presented by Liberty Mutual Insurance for her positive impact on youth athletes.
The award – named for coaches who strive to win while pursuing the more important goal of teaching life lessons through sports – carries a $250 prize, a trophy and mention within the websites and newsletters of Positive Coaching Alliance (www.PositiveCoach.org) and the Liberty Mutual Insurance Responsible Sports program (ResponsibleSports.com).“Marie helps youth athletes win on and off the field,” said Jim Thompson, founder and CEO of Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) and author of eight books on youth sports, including The Power of Double-Goal Coaching. “By creating a positive, character-building youth sports experience, and serving as a Double-Goal Coach, Marie helps youth develop into better athletes and better people.”
Schweitzer, who also administers the youth academy for the National Women’s Soccer League’s Washington Spirit, teaches life lessons about the value of hard work.
“I always tell the kids in training session to work hard and have fun,” Schweitzer said. “If you have fun it doesn’t even feel like you’re working hard, because you love what you’re doing. Then, I relate that emphasis on effort to their school work or to their future jobs.”
Schweitzer’s approach embodies the shared values that are central to Liberty Mutual Insurance and PCA, which also have partnered to help youth sports coaches and parents through the Liberty Mutual Insurance Responsible Sports Program Powered by Positive Coaching Alliance.
“This prestigious award celebrates coaches who are doing the right thing, by promoting the fundamental ideals of community through positive mentoring,” said Julie Brassard, Liberty Mutual Insurance manager of sponsorships. “We applaud coaches like Marie Schweitzer for effectively using sports to teach valuable life lessons to our youth.”
Founded in 2007, the program serves as a means to highlight the positive impact that everyday, responsible actions can have on our youth. The program provides resources for parents and coaches at ResponsibleSports.com to help children reap the full benefits of playing a team sport. The online community incorporates podcasts, videos, and best practices on youth sports topics that provide practical, real-world advice. Parents and coaches also can complete guides on positive sports mentoring that offer best practices for handling challenging sports scenarios.
About Positive Coaching Alliance
Since its founding within the Stanford University Athletic Department in 1998, Positive Coaching Alliance has helped develop “Better Athletes, Better People” primarily through live group workshops, online courses and books by PCA Founder Jim Thompson for youth and high school sports coaches, parents, student-athletes and school/organizational leaders.
In partnership with nearly 2,000 schools and youth sports organizations nationwide, PCA has conducted more than 11,000 live group workshops and impacted nearly 5 million youth.
PCA workshops and courses strive to establish these prevailing models in youth and high school sports:
The Double-Goal Coach®, who strives to win while also pursuing the more important goal of teaching life lessons through sports
The Second-Goal Parent®, who concentrates on life lessons, while letting coaches and athletes focus on competing
The Triple-Impact Competitor®, who strives to impact sport on three levels by improving oneself, teammates and the game as a whole.
PCA has the support of elite coaches and athletes on a National Advisory Board, including National Spokesperson and 11-time NBA Champion Coach Phil Jackson.