Positive Coaching Alliance Statement on Jackie Robinson West Little League
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) – a national non-profit developing Better Athletes, Better People through youth and high school sports – commends Little League International President and CEO Stephen D. Keener for his strong youth-centric message in the course of Jackie Robinson West Little League (JRWLL) having its 2014 U.S. Championship revoked.
"This is a heartbreaking decision," said Keener in a statement after determining that JRWLL violated Little League rules by accepting players into the organization from outside the organization's geographic boundaries. "What these players accomplished on the field and the memories and lessons they have learned during the Little League World Series tournament is something the kids can be proud of, but it is unfortunate that the actions of adults have led to this outcome."
PCA and Little League are national partners, collaboratively delivering PCA's online courses for coaches and parents. The PCA-Chicago Chapter last autumn gave its Honor the Game Award to JRWLL "for the sportsmanship and class the players displayed on the field," said Jason Sacks, PCA-Chicago Chapter Executive Director.
"Highlighted were moments where a JRWLL player apologized to an opposing coach because the player thought he might have celebrated too much after hitting a home run, another JRWLL player high-fiving an opponent while rounding the bases on a home run, and the overall respect the players showed to the South Korean team that defeated JRWLL in the International Championship."
Added PCA Founder and CEO Jim Thompson: "While this incident does not diminish the accomplishments of Jackie Robinson West Little League's players, including their on-field examples of Honoring the Game, this situation does reflect a prevalent win-at-all-cost culture constantly pushing on youth and high school sports. It is important to reiterate the need for strong adult leadership in youth sports as emphasized throughout PCA's workshops, courses, books and websites, including PCADevZone.org."
About Positive Coaching Alliance
Positive Coaching Alliance develops BETTER ATHLETES, BETTER PEOPLE through resources for youth and high school sports coaches, parents, administrators and student-athletes. In addition to hundreds of free audio-video and printable tips and tools at www.PCADevZone.org, PCA has partnered with roughly 3,000 schools and youth sports organizations nationwide to deliver live group workshops, online courses and books that help those involved in youth and high school sports create a positive, character-building youth sports culture.
SOURCE Positive Coaching Alliance
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