 The Importance of PACT
A sampling of data taken from MYSA parents, coaches and athletes in 2006-2007 paints a compelling picture as to the need and importance of PACT educational efforts. PACT helps parents and coaches work together to create a positive climate for youth soccer players and their families. While most parents and coaches “get it right” and an overwhelming majority of youth athletes enjoy soccer and report positive experiences —room for improvement clearly exists. [CLICK HERE here for a description of PACT].
MYSA athletes report the following experiences:
- 34% Have been yelled at or teased by a fan.
- 15% Report their parents get angry when they play poorly.
MYSA parents report the following experiences:
- 90% report that people on the sidelines “never” or “almost never” distract athletes from focusing on the game.
- 26% report people “never” or “almost never” coach from the sidelines (meaning 74% do witness coaching by adults other than an official coach from the sidelines.)
MYSA Coaches report the following experiences:
- 6% report they “never” hear coaching by other adults from the sidelines (meaning 94% do hear coaching from the sidelines.)
So what is Really Going On?
It is likely that parents perceive that “coaching from the sidelines” is not distracting to their children. Children tell a different story.
Keep in mind that 11% of MYSA coaches and 20% of MYSA parents participating in our 2006/07 surveys have witnessed two adults physically fighting on the youth soccer sidelines. Which means, between 8,250 and 15,000 of the more than 75,000 MYSA athletes are potentially exposed to physical violence at youth soccer events.
MYSA and the University of Notre Dame recognize that a few coaches and parents may be affecting a large majority of our athletes. We need all coaches and parents to be part of the effort in changing the youth soccer environment in Minnesota!
PACT training is:
- a two-hour commitment in the classroom.
- presented by experienced trainers approved by the University of Notre Dame.
- a connection of strategies to help you better communicate with youth athletes, coaches and administrators.
- accompanied by a personal manual filled with reference materials and video testimonial from Minnesota’s youth athletes.
- ongoing and upon completion, you will receive an automatic subscription to PACT e-newsletter from MYSA and the University of Notre Dame with updates on the latest research in youth sports psychology.
Why is it important for you to participate?
Because research shows that youth athletes who are having fun:
Additional Information regarding PACT
Parents and Coaches Together (PACT) is an educational program developed at the University of Notre Dame’s Center for Ethical Education and Development. The program is based on the latest research from developmental and sports psychology and is designed to help coaches and parents to get on the same page in successfully creating a positive and nurturing climate in Minnesota youth soccer.
MYSA/PACT™ helps coaches and parents realize their unique roles in fostering athlete intrinsic motivation, developing character, optimal performance, well-being and satisfaction. This program helps develop the potential of youth soccer to all it can, and should be!
Currently over 18 million children in the United States under the age of 18 play soccer. More than 75,000 youth play soccer in MYSA programming. Despite these impressive statistics, research shows that by age 13, 70% of children drop out of organized youth sport, and participation trends in soccer are no exception.
Young athletes participate in sports because it is fun, and they learn new skills, make friends, improve fitness and enjoy the competition. Coaches and parents create a climate that influences young athletes’ sport enjoyment and participation. Adults are a critical part in ensuring youth continue to play soccer and more importantly enjoy soccer.
Phase One of the MYSA PACT Program through September 2006
MYSA has conducted more than nine PACT Coach training sessions over the first year of the program. Prior to conducting training sessions, MYSA and the University of Notre Dame have been surveying the MYSA membership to measure attitudes and opinions of players, parents and coaches regarding sideline behavior. The good news is “an overwhelming majority of athletes, coaches and parents report positive experiences within Minnesota Youth Soccer Association.” This is encouraging, but we know that we can do better because athletes report a greater frequency of perceived yelling at teammates (42%) and referees (35%), than did parents who reported yelling at players (9%) and referees (9%). Coaches self reported yelling at players (8%) and referees (20%), which is a rate far less than perceived by their players.
Research has shown that improved sideline behavior is directly related to player’s performance. Minnesota athletes reported the predominant factor in coaches creating a toxic climate for them currently is the emphasis on outperforming teammates, and the coach favoring some athletes over others. The PACT training is designed to help coaches explore ways of intrinsically motivating players to be the best player they can be. Comments from coaches who have participated in the PACT training include:
The material is excellent! It is overdue. Count me in!
(PACT) makes you realize what’s important and how it will relate/translate into success.
(PACT) makes me revisit why kids play soccer and to work to be better.
Through educational efforts, PACT™ increases the likelihood that all youth will do just that...continue to play and enjoy soccer. PACT™ is helping to change the climate of Minnesota youth soccer. For more information on how a club may become involved in the PACT training program, contact Shelly Orr at the MYSA office (952-933-2384 or 800-366-6972).
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