WS Chronicle

USA Hockey’s affiliate, the Carolina Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA), has established a three-year partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), a national non-profit developing “Better Athletes, Better People” by working to provide all youth and high school athletes a positive, character-building sports experience.

The partnership provides CAHA and their member associations access to PCA’s training for coaches, sports parents, student-athletes and administrators, comprising live group workshops, online courses, books by PCA Founder Jim Thompson, and additional online resources, such as e-mailed follow-up tips and reminders.

PCA has partnered with roughly 3,500 youth sports organizations, schools, districts, conferences, and parks-and-rec departments to create a DevelopmentZone ​culture, where the goal is using youth and high school sports to develop better athletes, better people, Thompson said. “We look forward to working with CAHA and their member associations to create the best possible experience for the youth athletes. 

“Our research-based materials combine the latest in sports psychology, education and practical advice from top pro and college coaches and athletes that help improve athletic performance while also ensuring kids take life lessons from sports that will help them throughout the rest of their lives.”

Paul Fidishun, CAHA president, states that “we are excited to provide our coaches, players, officials, parents, and associations with this tremendous resource to create a fantastic hockey experience in the Carolinas for all those involved. PCA is a world leader and we feel that they will help us achieve our goals set out in our recent Strategy Plan that gives us the roadmap to grow hockey in the Carolinas for many years to come.”

The workshops are scheduled to begin in May 2020 and will be led by one of PCA’s lead trainers via a virtual workshop. For information about the dates and locations, please contact Brad Hoffman at BDHATHPG@aol.com.