Workshops will strengthen 'Outlaw Culture'

Think Again ParentS (TAPS) and the Sisters Sports Mentoring Alliance (SSMA) will present four Outlaw Sports Culture workshops August 27 and 28 at Sisters High School.

The workshops, titled "Outlaw Culture - Because That's Who We Are," will focus on education in enhancing the Outlaws sports culture in the Sisters area from kindergarten through seniors in high school. Guest speakers will include Kathy Toon, a longtime college coach, author, sports psychologist and sports consultant, and Sisters High School principal and football coach Bob Macauley.

The SSMA is a locally originated group founded by Tom Harrer, Quay Richerson and former All-Pro NFL lineman Ken Ruettgers. They saw an opportunity to build on a healthy sports culture in Sisters through organizations such as the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) and TAPS.

Harrer, a local physical therapist and former professional volleyball player, said the importance of the workshop is to create a common language for five major sub-groups that can be implemented and understood from kindergarten through grade 12. The sub-groups include coaches, teachers, student athletes, parents and community leaders.

"The SSMA is a community group interested in reaching adults and youth of all ages," said Macauley. "We are looking to be as inclusive as possible, including all youth programs such as youth soccer, Little League, youth softball, or any community activity/club where adults are involved with youth. Everyone is invited."

Richerson said the initial goal of the organization is to present the principles to the relevant parties locally and make them aware of the SSMA.

"Ultimately, our goal is to take our current good sports culture to a level of excellence," said Richerson, who has three children who participate in sports at various levels in the community. "We have seen it in other communities, and the benefits to the community at large are great."

With TAPS underwriting the cost for guest speakers and 1,000 booklets, the SSMA feel the workshops will make an impact for all ages of athletes and anyone associated with sports.

The workshops to be presented include:

• Thursday, August 27, 3 to 5 p.m.: Double-Goal Coach, Coaching for Winning & Life Lessons. All middle school and high school coaches as well as all community members involved in coaching or leading youth activities are urged to attend. This is the foundation of the SSMA philosophy.

• Thursday, August 27, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Leading Your Organization: Developing a Positive Coaching Culture. Athletic Directors, TAPS board, and the SSMA leadership. This is an organizational meeting to learn how to sustain the PCA.

• Friday, August 28, 3 to 4:15 p.m.: Becoming a Triple Impact Player. This is mandatory for all high school athletes competing in fall sports and activities. This session is open to all youth participating in sports and activities.

• Friday, August 28, 6 to 8 p.m.: The Second-Goal Parent: Developing Winners in Life Through Sports. This will be the mandatory parent meeting for all fall high school athletes, and middle school parents are urged to attend. All parents with children involved in sports at any level will get some great guidelines and suggestions from this session.

"I see many benefits in all avenues being offered at the workshops," said SSMA member and SHS coach Tom Mauldin. "For someone who has coached in three different decades, I see the PCA offering new ways to enhance coaching abilities. The profession is constantly changing and old dogs like me need to be updated, so to speak."

For more information about the workshops, contact Macauley at 549-4045 or e-mail Harrer at [email protected]