Menlo-Atherton Little League is dedicated to managing the balance between winning and learning life lessons through sport as part of our core values. At all levels of play the League makes a concerted effort to educate its coaches, players and parents on the importance of sportsmanship and fair play at all times, both on and off the field.

To this end, M-A Little League has partnered with the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA). PCA is a nonprofit organization founded at Stanford University with the mission to transform youth sports so sports can transform youth. PCA was created to revolutionize the culture of youth sports to give all young athletes the opportunity for a positive, character-building experience. More background and information on PCA can be found on their website http://www.positivecoach.org/.

PCA has two primary goals:

1. Replace the "win-at-all-cost" model of coaching with the Double-Goal Coach®, i.e., the Coach who wants to win but has a second, more important, goal of using sports to teach life lessons
2. Teach youth sports organization leaders how to create an organizational culture in which Honoring the Game and not just winning is the norm

The Menlo-Atherton Little League adheres to the philosophy and goals of PCA and has been an affiliate member of PCA for a number of years. We expect our Coaches and our parents to follow the tenants of the PCA philosophy and offer educational clinics for both our Coaches and parents of our players. As part of our coaches development program, the League has committed to a good-faith effort to ensure that every coach in our organization is trained and certified or re-certified this year as a Double-Goal Coach™ in a live workshop led by a certified PCA Trainer.

For additional sportsmanship and responsible youth sports perspective and resources, please click on this link: https://www.responsiblesports.com/default.aspx

PCA Team Parent

In addition to having all coaches PCA certified, each team at every level elects a PCA Parent Representative to help coaches work with their team’s families to foster good sportsmanship as part of the team’s culture and in the stands.The role of the PCA Parent is part educator, part booster and part role model. The PCA Parent plays an increasingly integral role in helping each team, from T-Ball to Majors, to create a positive experience for all involved all season long.

Parent/Player Pledge

Menlo-Atherton Little League believes strongly in balancing winning with learning and sportsmanship. We are striving to build a league culture where kids can play hard, learn and have fun without the "win at all costs" pressures that negatively affect kids and youth sports organizations today. Parents are encouraged and expected to keep proper perspective and be good role models.  Additionally, players are expected to understand what good sportsmanship means and to adhere to a set of guidelines. To this end, before the season starts, we ask each parent of each player in all divisions and each player, especially in the Single A to Majors divisions, to sign a pledge of sportsmanship acknowledging some basic expectations for behavior, committing to set a good example and adhering to a simple code of conduct.

Training & Education

The League again held educational sportsmanship training for its coaches and Team Parents.  All Coaches in each division were required to complete a workshop from PCA as part of their preparations for the season.  Team Parents selected by their coaches, from Single A to Majors divisions, were invited to participate in an educational workshop conducted by PCA representatives specifically for better understanding the role and responsibilities of the PCA Parent and providing tips to influence good sportsmanship behavior by parents in the stands.

Additionally, PCA has a sizeable resource library of tips, perspective and information regarding sports psychology and how to develop good sportsmanship habits on its website for both Coaches and parents.

Contact

For any additional questions regarding PCA for Menlo-Atherton Little League, please contact us at pca@mabaseball.org