3/1/2016
You Can Play Partners With Positive Coaching Alliance
March 1, 2016, Mountain View, CA – You Can Play — a non-profit dedicated to ensuring safety and inclusion for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) athletes, coaches, and fans — has entered into a national partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), a national non-profit developing Better Athletes, Better People through resources for youth and high school sports.
The agreement entails collaboration between the two organizations on creating and distributing online resources for youth and high school coaches, sports parents, administrators and student-athletes. It also makes You Can Play a PCA Trusted Resource for LGBT athlete matters.
“Too often, LGBT athletes face discrimination and feel unsafe when participating in youth and high school sports,” said Jason Sacks, PCA’s Director of Business Development. “Beyond mere ‘acceptance’ or ‘tolerance’ our partnership with You Can Play stands to reach millions with messages about true inclusiveness. That approach will help us develop Better Athletes, Better People by creating a positive, character-building experience for all youth and high school athletes.”
You Can Play’s current Executive Director, Wade Davis, is one of the few openly gay men to have played professional sports, including stints as a defensive back for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks, as well as two NFL Europe teams. “As a former high school, collegiate, and professional athlete, I know firsthand the critical role that a coach plays in a child’s life and their personal development as a young adult,” Davis said. “Your sports team is like your family, which is why it’s so important for coaches to create a positive team culture. You Can Play’s partnership with PCA will not only help thousands of coaches gain access to education about LGBT inclusion in sports, it will also have a huge impact on the young athletes whom they coach.”
About You Can Play
Mission: You Can Play works to ensure safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBT athletes, coaches and fans. You Can Play believes sports teams should focus on the athlete’s skills, work ethic, and competitive spirit, not their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
History: In 2012, You Can Play was launched by Patrick Burke of the NHL along with Brian Kitts and Glenn Witman of GForce Sports. Brendan Burke, the brother of Patrick Burke and son of Brian Burke, made international headlines when he came out as gay in 2009. A few months after he came out, Brendan died in a car accident. You Can Play was founded in Brendan Burke’s honor.
Work:
Education & Resources
• Trainings for athletes, staff, coaches, leagues, organizations
• Panels and speaking events about diversity and LGBT inclusion
• Connections and referrals to partner organizations
Programs & Events
• Pro partnership programs, such as the Hi-Five Initiative
• You Can Play Nights (pro, collegiate, and community games)
• International and regional events such as Pride parades
Communications & Media
• Media talking points for leagues and partners
• Connection to media outlets
• You Can Play videos posted on website.
Contact:
David Jacobson, Positive Coaching Alliance
Phone: 650-210-0808650-210-0808 or e-mail David at David_Jacobson@positivecoach.org
Contact:
Anna Aagenes, You Can Play
Email Anna at Anna@youcanplayproject.org
