Healthy, Positive Coaching
Every coach knows we are more than just “coaches.” We are mentors, educators, friends, and strategizers. A coach can be one of the most influential people in a young athlete’s life. How we respond to athletes in times of stress can totally shift their outlook for the rest of the practice, game, or even season. There is a fine line between tough coaching and abusive coaching.
Including positive, trauma-informed coaching techniques in our playbook can be transformative in team culture. Athletes on our teams may come from troubled backgrounds or have traumas that can impact their well-being and athletic performance.
This session will explore the concept of positive coaching and provide techniques and tips on how to build positive team culture.
Speakers:
- Grace French – President and Director of Communications & Research for The Army of Survivors
- Coach Stuart Krohn – Director of ICEF Public Schools’ Student Leadership Academy, Rugby, and Sailing and member of the SoCal Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
- Coach Lisa Finegan – Rugby Coach and Teacher at ICEF’s Public Schools
- Moderated by Rébecca Khoury, MBA – Founding Director of The Spirit of Trust, President & CEO of the MAKO Corporation
See It, Stop It: Tackling Abuse in Amateur Sports
In the two weeks leading up to the symposium, attendees will have the opportunity to watch our award-winning documentary At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal. A screening link will be included in your confirmation email.
Wednesday, June 16th
Session 1: From Prevention to Solutions (11:00am PDT)
Geared towards prevention, this session will equip adults to keep children and teens safe from abuse.
Speakers:
- Kim Hurst – CEO and Founder of Avalon Healing Center
- Trinea Gonczar – Director of Development at Avalon Healing Center
- Moderated by Yetsa A. Tuakli-Wosornu, M.D., M.P.H. – Founder and Director of Sports Equity Lab, Asst. Professor of Clinical Public Health at Yale University
Session 2: Healthy, Positive Coaching (12:30pm PDT)
This session will guide coaches and parents in identifying the differences between “tough” coaching and abusive coaching, while also providing an overview of positive coaching styles and strategies.
Speakers:
- Grace French – President and Director of Communications & Research for The Army of Survivors
- Coach Stuart Krohn – Director of ICEF Public Schools’ Student Leadership Academy, Rugby, and Sailing and member of the SoCal Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
- Coach Lisa Finegan – Rugby Coach and Teacher at ICEF’s Public Schools
- Moderated by Rébecca Khoury, MBA – Founding Director of The Spirit of Trust, President & CEO of the MAKO Corporation
Thursday, June 17th
Session 3: Institutional Accountability: The Power of One Voice (11:00am PDT)
Institutions – such as universities and organizations – play a critical role in keeping athletes safe. This session will explore strategies for supporting survivors, creating protection policies, and how to be an institutional change-maker at the individual level.
Speakers:
- Jonathan Vaughn – Former NFL player and Survivor of Dr. Anderson at the University of Michigan
- Prof. Amos Guiora – Professor of Law at the S.J. Quinney College of Law and author of the book “Armies of Enablers”
- Moderated by Daphne Young, Chief Communications Officer at Childhelp
Session 4: Resources Recap (12:15pm PDT)
The final session of our symposium will serve as a recap of resources and give speakers the opportunity to address unanswered questions.
Speakers:
- Daphne Young – Chief Communications Officer at Childhelp
- Tracy Leonard – Recognized as Darkness to Light’s 2021 Certified Instructor of the Year
