Presenting at Providers' Council Convention (VIDEO)

I presented with Nikki Valila (Sexual Exploitation Coordinator, Youth Villages – Germaine Lawrence Campus and Doc Wayne Coach) at the 37th Annual Providers’ Council Convention & Expo covering the use of sports in the group therapy setting to increase self-esteem, self concept, social awareness and to improve overall effective emotion management. Techniques from Doc Wayne’s sport-based do the good curriculum were taught.

New Sport Psych Article: Feedback in Athletic Coaching

Sport Psychology Today (www.sportpsychologytoday.com) has posted my article Feedback in Athletic Coaching: Is Educating Coaches the Missing Link? 

Take a look at Part 1 and stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow.

http://www.sportpsychologytoday.com/sport-psychology-for-coaches/feedback-in-athletic-coaching-part-1/

Feeling Thankful.

Vote! - Caring Force Video Contest

I've entered a video in the Caring Force's Broadcast Your Love of Human Service Contest! 

Vote here: http://thecaringforce.org/page/s/vote-for-your-favorite-broadcast-your-love-of-human-services-video

The mission of The Caring Force is to empower those who care about the human services sector to advance a progressive agenda that creates an environment in Massachusetts that protects our most vulnerable neighbors and creates a stronger economy with the pay, recognition, and respect our workers deserve.

For more information about Doc Wayne please visit www.docwayne.org or email info@docwayne.org

Voting is at the bottom of the page. 

Thanks for your support! 

Prezi: Sport Psychology as a video game?

I have entered the land of Prezi!

Prezi is a web-based presentation application and storytelling tool that uses a single canvas instead of traditional slides.

Please check out: Sport psychology as a video game? Press the space bar to continue. 

The direct link is: http://prezi.com/ngglmjhjhiqs/present/?auth_key=bsjqcyr&follow=rebekahroulier

Sport can seem like a video game at times...overcoming obstacles and utilizing your mental skills to reach the end goal.

Please feel free to post your Prezi links on the topics of sport psychology, coaching, teambuilding, mental health, etc. 

VIDEO: I Love Human Services, Rebekah Roulier, Doc Wayne

Doc Wayne Athletic League's (www.docwayne.org) General Manager Rebekah Conway Roulier's entry into The Caring Force "Broadcast Your Love of Human Services" Video Contest!

For more information on Doc Wayne please contact info@docwayne.org

http://thecaringforce.org/blog/entry/kind-of-a-big-deal

The invitation to share in clients' personal journeys, both their victories and struggles, is a privilege and an honor. Being a human service provider has been life changing and is truly my dream job.

Video created by Rebekah Conway Roulier

#GoMental eJournal Contribution

I'm excited and honored to have the opportunity to contribute to EXACT Sport's #GoMental ejournal (Nov. 2012 edition). 

The goal of the #GoMental eJournal is to provide readers with an in depth look at the mental game and the discussions going on throughout the sports psychology and coaching network. 

My contribution on building a leadership culture will be published on November 15th at http://exactsports.com/blog/.

About Exact Sports (@EXACTSports) http://exactsports.com/about/ : 

EXACT Sports provides a new way of looking at athletes.   We seek to answer the question, “what are the most important ingredients for athletic success?”  Since our founding, our work has focused on understanding the major components of an athlete’s success: physical conditioning, behavioral characteristics, mental aptitude, and technical skills. EXACT works across all team sports, youth through professional,and with both genders. Our tools are used by the National Hockey League, Major League Lacrosse, Major League Soccer, United Soccer Leagues and USL Olympic Development Program, baseball showcases, football camps, and professional workouts, and colleges across the country.

Upcoming Conference Presentations

On, November 28th I will have the pleasure of presenting with Youth Village's Doc Wayne Coach Nikki Valila. Our workshop,  DBT: Sports in Behavioral Treatment of Youth is an afternoon session at the Providers’ Council 37th Annual Convention & Expo: Caring It Forward on November, 28th.

DBT: Sports in Behavioral Treatment of Youth

• Rebekah Conway Roulier, General Manager, Doc Wayne Athletic League

• Nikki Valila, Sexual Exploitation Coordinator, Youth Villages-Germaine Lawrence Campus

The workshop will cover the use of sports in the group therapy setting to increase self-esteem, self-concept, social awareness and to improve overall effective emotion management. Techniques from Doc Wayne’s sport-based do the good curriculum will be taught.

To register for the conference and Doc Wayne’s afternoon workshop click here: http://secure.providers.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=453

On February 23rd, I'll be presenting at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, and Dance's Eastern District Convention (AAHPERD EDA) in Valley Forge, PA on Use of a Therapeutic Curriculum in Physical Education from 2:45-4:00PM. 

Use of a Therapeutic Curriculum in Physical Education

• Rebekah Conway Roulier, General Manager, Doc Wayne Athletic League

• Presider: Sheldon Sucre, Adelphi University, NY  

Doc Wayne presents training on the use of its therapeutic sport curriculum, do the good, as a framework for teaching physical education in residential treatment settings, therapeutic day schools, underserved communities, and for differently abled youth.  Do the good works to increase self-esteem and promote overall effective emotion management.

To register for the conference and Doc Wayne's afternoon workshop click here: http://www.aahperd.org/about/districts/eastern/convention.cfm

Conference Information: http://www.scribd.com/doc/110236522/Providers-Council-37th-Annual-Convention-Expo-Caring-It-Forward

Know Thyself - Personal Coaching Philosophies

A coaching philosophy helps you make wise decisions in times of crisis and is also helpful in clarifying why you coach. It's important to know, on those not so great days, what will motivate you to continue.

It's essential you know yourself before you attempt to learn about each and everyone of your players.

Key Action Points: 

·      Define a vision or personal philosophy

·      Live it “actions determine what kind of characteristics are developed” (Aristotle)

·      Communicate it to others 

When Developing Your Vision or Philosophy: 

·     Reflect upon your life history

·      Support your philosophy with direct evidence from your life

·      Always write it down

Team Building Training for Coaches

Doc Wayne coaches participate in team building in preparation for the upcoming soccer season! 

"Build Your Team" 

Photo: Proud of her accomplishments!

Proud of her first game in goal! 

Love in Youth Sport

In a recent coaches' training, the topic of love was brought up by a participant.

Love in youth sport is a tricky topic given some of the recent abuse scandals.

To add, the coaches' teams were from special populations that are especially vulnerable including youth living in residential treatment, group homes, and underserved youth.

After much discussion, a few meaningful comments were made including:

• Appropriate physical and emotional boundaries are of utmost importance. 
• Creating an environment where a child feels safe, cared for, and has healthy attachments is desirable within the sport and coaching context. 
• Caring can be modeled through your interactions with your coaching staff and others that are in the sport context.  

Any thoughts to add? 

Preparing for the Rodman Ride 2012

A bike ride today kicked off my start to preparations for this year's Rodman Ride for Kids (http://www.rodmanrideforkids.org/). After my first experience with the ride in 2010, I was hooked.  It's an incredibly impactful way to donate your time and energy to a cause as well as feel a part of something amazing. Riding along side your teammates as well as numerous other charities, all sweating it out for the kids they care about is powerful. For the third year in a row, I'll be bicycling in support of Doc Wayne’s (www.docwayne.org) work serving adolescents through sport and the organization’s therapeutic life skills curriculum, do the good.  Please consider donating  http://Key.kintera.org/2012/rroulier. 

Team Doc Wayne – Rodman Ride 2010

Funds raised through the Rodman Ride support Doc Wayne’s programming for youth living across New England and Nigeria who are:

• Victims of abuse and/or neglect
• Underserved
• Sexually exploited
• Impoverished
• Truant
• Differently abled and/or
• Mentally ill

Please help support my ride! 

do the good. 

Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World

I teamed up with Simmons College Head Coach Kristen Rasmussen in Project Inspire’s 5 Minutes to Change the World Contest (http://www.5minutestochangetheworld.org/). Project Inspire is holding holds its second annual contest offering 18-35 year olds a 5-minute platform to pitch their inspired idea to the

world.

Our Video Pitch:

Our Idea:

The Doc Wayne Athletic League, Inc. (www.docwayne.org) seeks to train and certify Nigerian women in its therapeutic life skills curriculum, do the good, thus preparing them for employment in the African Basketball Organization (ABO) (www.africanbasketball.org). With the increase of female coaches in ABO camps, we aim to bolster camp participation and the accessibility of role models to girls.

Our Inspiration:

What is your personal source of inspiration? Becky-Doc Wayne GM
A group of severely abused, neglected, and traumatized girls changed my views of life and sport. After hearing their stories, seeing both their triumphs and struggles, and being invited into their world they transformed my goals in life and became my inspiration. To my team, sport was a gift, it freed them from reality and made them strong and powerful women. Nearly nothing was as valuable in their lives as the team. Being trained as a do the good coach I felt equipped and skilled to make sport a meaningful experience where life skills were the focus. I take inspiration from them to train female coaches and create opportunities for girls to be empowered through sport across the globe.

What is your personal source of inspiration? Kristen-Head Basketball Coach Simmons College
I want to use my talents to make the world a more equal, peaceful and safe place for all people. As a woman, athlete and coach I dream of a better world for women one day. My family inspires me to do my best and have an impact on those who surround me daily.
do the good.

Blades of Emotions-14 Seconds of Positive Thoughts

23rd Annual International Trauma Conference - Boston

I had the opportunity to attend the 23rd Annual Trauma Conference in Boston. Here are a few takeaways: 

• Play is a child’s right, not a privilege earned. 
• The experience of trauma is subjective and developmentally bound. What is traumatizing to one person may not be to another person. An event that could be traumatizing to a 3 year old may not be to a 10 year old. Their support system and other factors also play a role.  
• Chair Yoga Rocks!
• Kid’s brains and bodies are amazing at survival. If they are in a stressful environment, skills that normally would be developed unfortunately will be de-emphasized to keep living. 
• 5 minute "mental vacations" are a great skill to learn for kids and adults. 
• Helping caregivers become “feeling detectives” will go a long way in understanding youth’s behaviors and communication. 
• Sports and play allow families (and children and their caregivers) to have positive experiences with each other when they have had very hard things happen to them. These good memories will help them continue through therapy. 

RR

Doc Wayne - do the good Program Video

Doc Wayne (www.docwayne.org)

Photos of the Week

Rebekah Roulier with Doc Wayne Coach Erika Montgomery from the Susan Wayne Center for Excellence at the CHEERS for CHAMPS event at Fenway Park. The best part of the evening was watching two programs (boys and girls included) interact positively and enjoy a Doc Wayne evening out.  After the event, players, coaches, and Doc Wayne staff had a pizza party together. (Photo credit goes to one of the fantastic SWCE players!)

Fun picture with Roxbury Youth Work's GIFT Program Staff after finishing our first seven week flag football Chalk Talk Clinical Group.
(Katie Carlson, LICSW, Rebekah Roulier, Ed.M., and GIFT Life Coaches)

An inspiring young woman's goals created during Chalk Talk flag football group therapy. 

Chalk Talk Playbook

Coach Joe (Pelham Academy) playing four square during CHEERS for CHAMPS

Coach Nikki and three Doc Wayne student-athletes at Dream Big's Leadership Conference!

Doc Wayne and African Basketball (ABO) Do the Good for Nigerian Youth

After having the opportunity to meet Eyo at our DtG training session in New Jersey a few weeks ago I can't think of a better person to carry out the train the trainer model in Nigeria. I look forward to supporting both Eyo and his ABO coaches. The power of sport as well as the unique ability the do the good curriculum has to reach children across the globe amazes me every time I witness it.  

do the good, 

RR

www.docwayne.org 

DOC WAYNE AND AFRICAN BASKETBALL (ABO) DO THE GOOD FOR NIGERIAN YOUTH

The Doc Wayne Athletic League and African Basketball Organization Begin Collaboration To Provide A Positive Path For Youth In Nigeria

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOSTON, MA, June 8, 2012:  The Doc Wayne Athletic League (Doc Wayne) and African Basketball (ABO) announced today that they will begin their partnership this summer to integrate Doc Wayne’s do the good sports-based therapeutic curriculum into ABO’s work with youth in Nigeria.  The do the good curriculum, which connects with youth on a sport level as well as teaches pro-social behaviors and life skills, will complement ABO’s existing initiatives to work with underprivileged youth in Nigeria.

Doc Wayne Executive Director David Cohen said, “This is an exciting opportunity for us as we have positively connected with youth here in the U.S.  Why not do the same with youth beyond our borders?  This is a natural partnership as our missions align well for the common good of connecting with youth through sport.”  

African Basketball (ABO) President and Founder Eyo Effiong said, “After observing how David Cohen and his team at Doc Wayne utilizes the do the good skills based program in the development of the social skills of at-risk youth here in the U.S., I realized that the youth at our summer leadership programs in Nigeria, and other African communities would benefit immensely if we introduced these life-skills tools.  We are very excited about this unique opportunity to partner with Doc Wayne.”

National coaches and mentors that the youth can look to for support are key and Doc Wayne has already begun the process of training coaches on the curriculum.  Initially the programs will look to work with 90 Nigerian boys and girls in Lagos to measure academics, violence reduction and pro-social behaviors.

For updates on this and other initiatives at Doc Wayne and the ABO, follow us on Twitter at:  @DocWayneDtG and @AfricanBBall.

About Doc Wayne (www.docwayne.org)

Doc Wayne is a Boston, MA (USA) based 501(c)(3) non-profit with the mission of offering youth an innovative group therapy experience delivered through the medium of team sports stressing positive youth development.  Through Doc Wayne’s sports-based therapeutic curriculum, do the good (DtG), youth learn to perceive the world as less threatening and their ability to interact with their environment becomes more empowered and they gain greater self-esteem.

About African Basketball (www.africanbasketball.org)

African Basketball (ABO) is a 501(c)(3) US based non-profit organization dedicated to the development of Africa through sports. ABO organizes co-ed basketball programs, integrated with life skills, HIV/AIDS Awareness, and leadership education for participants, coaches, and administrators.  

MEDIA CONTACTS:

David Cohen                                                               Eyo Effiong

Doc Wayne, Executive Director                                 ABO, Executive Director

dcohen@docwayne.org                                             effionge@africanbasketball.org

617-458-0315                                                              864-569-6024

###

Favorite Photos This Week

Here are a few of my favorite photos capturing Week 7 of Doc Wayne Girls and Boys Flag Football.

do the good, 

RR

www.docwayne.org 

Practical Sport Psychology Skills for Goalkeepers

If you are a goalkeeper, or coach one, you understand it is one of the most mentally challenging positions in sport. Here are a few sport psych tips! Please send me a note at rebekahconwayroulier@gmail.com for assistance implementing them. 

RR

Refocusing

·         Let your goalkeepers know that their feelings before the game are normal and part of their pre-game routine. Nerves are often part of the experience and can even be helpful. 

·         Deep breathing

·         Trigger focus (tapping the post, tapping your shin guard with your cleat, walking across the penalty spot). Use this trigger focus to be forgetful, clear your head and focus on the next play. 

·         Cue word or phrase (can be written on their gloves as a reminder)

Visualization

·         Imagery of your best self.

·         “Mental practice” is important spend time on. The body does not differentiate between the real and the imagined.  

Mastering Mental Skills

·         New skills take time (don't try to learn a new skill on game day).

·         Put effort into it!

Playing not Performing

·         Focus on the little things you are doing well when mental skills, practice or the game aren’t going well.

·         Build on small successes.

Expand on positive emotions

·         When the ball is in the attacking third, dwell on the feelings of accomplishment and positive emotions.

·         This can help you portray confidence, poise, and a sense of control to your team and the opponent through verbal and non-verbal communication.  

Know your strengths (or your athletes' strengths)!

·         Building on success might also mean leaning on your strengths. It's okay not to be great at everything. Some of the greatest athletes are known for only focusing on their errors, also see your strengths and what you do well. 

·         Each goalkeeper is different.

Play-Moments of Relief

I was observing a young girl having fun in a park this Memorial Day weekend and couldn't help but think of "moments of relief" desperately needed by victims of complex trauma. Sport (and the simple joy of play) provides relief from the burden of grief, sadness, abandonment, loneliness, and a variety of feelings that haunt trauma victims constantly. Being able to play on the swings or be part of a team allows them to leave these feelings behind for a few moments or possibly an hour or more. This is a gift that can't be underestimated. 

do the good,
RR
www.docwayne.org

Doc Wayne Video

Stay tuned for the new Doc Wayne program video (to be released soon)! It will be posted on our youtube page DocWayneDtG. In the meantime, please check out our posted videos!

Coaches Can (and Should) Play Too!

As a coach, it's important not to lose touch with your love of the game. Before youth games, our staff at Doc Wayne can often be found playing soccer, basketball or flag football (after everything is set up of course!).

do the good,

RR

www.docwayne.org

Score Keeping for Outcomes

While delivering a training this past weekend a thought-provoking topic came up. The question was posed, “How do you keep score in a way that reinforces your program’s values?”

The question assumes that you are willing to redesign your program, league or activity planning and that a winner and non-winner are desired. 

If this is the case, let the brainstorming begin! The possibilities are endless. Awarding points and declaring “winners” based upon goals, baskets scored, touchdowns or other typical methods can be a percentage of the scoring system (or not figure into the score at all).

Determine the outcomes you desire to see, work backwards and create a scoring system that puts the team, individuals or coaches who are displaying these outcomes or skills on top.

do the good, 

RR

www.docwayne.org