The San Mateo National Little League is excited to announce its partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) to ensure a positive, character-building experience for all youth athletes in SMNLL programs. PCA (www.PositiveCoach.org), a Stanford University-based non-profit organization, conducts workshops for coaches, organizational leaders, and parents involved in schools and sports organizations. 

Dedicated to “transforming youth sports so sports can transform youth,” Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) has conducted thousands of live group workshops nationwide for roughly 200,000 youth sports leaders, coaches, parents and athletes. PCA trains workshop attendees to create a positive, character-building environment for youth athletes, replacing the prevalent win-at-all-cost mentality. 

PCA trains Double-Goal CoachesTM, whose first goal is winning, and whose second, more-important goal is teaching life lessons through sports. This coaching method takes its name from “The Double-Goal Coach,” a book by PCA Founder and Executive Director Jim Thompson. 

“Working with hundreds of youth sports organizations around the United States, PCA has developed practical tools and guidelines to help youth athletes, their coaches and parents get the most out of sports,” said SMNLL President John Lloyd. “We recognize the tremendous opportunity for character-building sports offers for today’s youth, so we are embracing PCA’s Double-Goal CoachTM model, where winning is one goal and teaching life lessons is the second, more-important goal.” 

“We are delighted to partner with the San Mateo National Little League,” said PCA Executive Director Jim Thompson. “Together, we’ll strive to help their youth athletes take a positive approach to pursuing victories in athletic competition and in life.” 

The first steps for the SMNLL was a workshop for our Board of Directors, followed by workshops for our Double-Goal Coaches. Building upon the core values of the SMNLL and our alliance with PCA, the San Mateo National Little League is proud to share our Mission Statement: 


The San Mateo National Little League is committed to providing the best baseball experience possible for our: 

· Players, by teaching the fundamentals of baseball, including skills, teamwork and sportsmanship 

· Families, by providing a safe, positive and fun baseball experience 

· Coaches, by supporting their efforts to provide the highest standard of positive coaching appropriate for each age group 

· Community, by being an active part of San Mateo through its outreach to all families, schools and organizations 

The SMNLL is about creating winners, not necessarily reflected on the scoreboard, but from the baseball experience that creates a lifetime of memories. 

Beginning prior to opening day, and lasting throughout the 2010 season and beyond, you have the opportunity to be a part of this great program. Talk to your player’s coach about the Double-Coach concept, review the Game Day Tips (coming soon) that you can personally perform each game day, and remember to help your player, your coach, and yourself Honor the Game.