VIDEO: At-Risk Youth Trauma Stats

Muhammad Ali Athletes and Social Change Forum

Group photo at end of Ali Athletes and Social Change Forum! #aliathletesforum @alicenter 

Jennifer Bruening, Sab Singh, Susan Rayl, Rene John-Sandy, Darlene A Kluka, Vitalis Lanshima, Rebekah Conway Roulier, Jason A. Rice,Matt Huml, Ashleigh Huffman, Tobias Blake, Mary Hums, Mike Geddes, Vicky Grygar, Anita Moorman, Josh Pate, Kristy McCray, Addison Denmark Staples and Abbi Hill.

To view the program click here:  http://www.scribd.com/doc/133313545/Muhammad-Ali-Athletes-and-Social-Change-Forum-Program

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! 

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 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

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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.

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

Doc Wayne Girls All-Star Game Video

The Doc Wayne MetroWest Girls Program celebrated it's mid-season  Flag Football All-Star Game today (May, 15th). All-Stars were selected by their coaches and awarded in two categories:

1. DtG Skills
2. Athletic Skills

The Doc Wayne Program is known for it's incredibly impactful do the good (DtG) life skills curriculum that embeds key concepts into sport through teen friendly slogans.

In addition to the All-Star Game, every player was invited to participate in a skills competition, challenging them to reach for their potential in many areas (throwing, catching, agility, running, etc.). Individual scores were kept, but comparisons were not made to others.

RR

www.docwayne.org

What does it mean to be an "All-Star?"

What does it mean to be an “All-Star?” The professional sports leagues seem to define “All-Star” as a player who is either among the elite players statistically, the fans or coaches’ favorites, or someone who boosts the television ratings. Nowhere in this definition is any consideration for life circumstances, tremendous off court or field development, or perhaps a player’s impact upon others.

In youth sport it’s especially important to be intentional. All-Stars should represent what your program or league values.

On Tuesday, 16 do the good (DtG) Girls All-Stars will proudly play representing the Doc Wayne program and all that we value. They have been selected very carefully by their coaches. These 16 girls were not selected based on their statistics, television ratings, or by the hundreds of Doc Wayne fans at each game ;-).  Instead they were selected based on their DtG skills, accomplishments overcoming many obstacles in life and most of all because they are the epitome of “All-Star!” in our DtG dictionary.

do the good,

RR
www.docwayne.org 

Walk for Hunger in Photos

This past Sunday I took part in The Walk for Hunger. Here are some photos!

do the good

RR

www.docwayne.org

(Showing Up!)

(HOPE!)

(A veteran walker)

CPT (Control, Plan and Trust) Strategy for Athletes

Control, Plan and Trust

How do you help behavioral kids in between plays on the field?  Some kids struggle, for a variety of reasons, when given even small amounts of down time. Implement CPT, or performance based routines, to help players stay focused.  Intentionally select sport-based rituals for players to create consistency. 

When players are not actively engaged in the game they are often assisted by a mental check-list to complete prior to the next active play.

Organize the check list in the following way:

Control:  You can only control yourself. Use techniques such as deep breathing, imagery, cue words, or other coping skills to relax.

Plan-What is the situation in the game. What is my Plan A? Plan B?

Trust- Stop thinking and trust yourself to deal with what is happening in front of you. 

RR 

RRoulier@docwayne.org

Concerns of Adolescent Teen Girls

The Girls on The Field sport psychology workshop was created to address the concerns of adolescent teenage girls. While having conversations with teens playing middle school and high school competitive athletics the following struggles came up:

·         Time conflicts (sports vs. academics)

·         Your needs vs. the team’s needs  (position, playing time and number of teams competing for)

·         Competition with teammates (positions, playing time and varsity spots)

·         Difficult social situations (unsportsmanlike competitors and/or teammates)

·         Dealing with your mistakes

·         Cliques

Teen girls requested ethical and moral guidance via an active workshop. Thus Girls on the Field was born. 


For more information on individual or team sport psychology workshops and/or counseling please contact Rebekah Conway Roulier, Ed.M at rebekahconwayroulier@gmail.com or rroulier@docwayne.org. 

"Girls on the Field" Sport Psychology Session Photos

Maren Madore, Kristen Rasmussen and Rebekah Conway Roulier (TEAM DOC WAYNE)

Rebekah Conway Roulier Facilitating

Catch! (Rebekah Conway Roulier with Middle School Participant)

Great Goals

Goal setting can be very powerful in changing behavior. Not only does goal setting help people achieve what they are aiming for, but it also increases their self-confidence, motivation, and decreases anxiety. 

Effective goal setting requires hard work. Setting specific, measurable, adjustable, realistic, and timely goals is a step in the right direction. Below are a few additional helpful hints to create GREAT GOALS! Systematically providing feedback and following up with athletes can make all the difference.  

Coaches, when beginning goal setting as a team for the season don't forget the power of modeling. Take part in the goal setting process. 

Great goals are:   

1. Positively Phrased

2. Specific and Measurable

3. Manageable and Achievable

4. Written down

5. Performance goals, not outcome goals

6. Something the athlete actually wants to work towards! 

7. Simple

Using these tips, create a structure within your team to make goal setting part of your team culture (a ritual, fun, and enforced by participants). 

RR

Girls on the Field

Do you remember being a high school athlete? Memories of the glory days may come to mind at first, but if you think harder for many of us it was much more complex than that. 


Moving Traditions (www.movingtraditions.org) is gathering adolescent girls to explore their own personal values and talk about issues that are important to them.  In addition to sport, they are addressing important topics such as financial planning, stress management, media literacy, body image and social activism. 


I'm flattered to have the opportunity to present: 


Girls on the Field: More girls today are playing sports than ever before. In addition to great physical activity, sports can provide girls and women with important opportunities to grow their confidence and self-esteem, and learn about being part of a team.  With these opportunities also come some challenges—for example, how do you balance sports and schoolwork, or your needs versus the team's? What about when you and a friend are competing for the same spot on a team or the team feels divided over an issue? In this interactive game-oriented session with Becky Conway-Roulier, a sport psychology consultant at the Doc Wayne Clinic (www.docwayne.org), participants will explore strategies to bring their own values into their performance on and off the field. (Please note: this session will be held outside, weather permitting.)

  

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Game Day Mental Preparation

An excellent topic came up at Friday's Do the Good (DtG) Training. The question was asked, "What do I do as a coach, when a physical warm-up is not an option?." Many youth coaches are familiar with the feelings of sheer relief and proud accomplishment experienced from just arriving at the field. Feeling victorious upon arrival you unload the vehicle, check your players' gear, and somewhat organize your team soon to hear the referee blow his or her whistle signaling the start of the game.  Ideally, each game and practice should begin with a very structured, player-led and dynamic warm-up. 


What is Plan B if a warm-up is not feasible that particular day or if your program or school's schedule is such that you arrive at the field minutes before each game? Teach your kids to mentally prepare!


Below are a few mental skills that players can be taught prior to games in lieu of a physical warm-up. It is not recommended that players be taught these skills on the day of the game. These skills can also be combined with a physical warm-up!

• Imagery
• Positive Cue Words
• Deep Breathing Exercises
• Watching Prior Successful Performances

For assistance learning and/or utilizing these skills please contact Becky at rroulier@docwayne.org.  

DtG 2012 MetroWest Flag Football Training Schedule Released

Doc Wayne's 2012 MetroWest DtG Flag Football Training Schedule Released Today:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/1hSCbEr_ibZ5RwM9jUBkUTC6nf_aVULMXqnxdRjwry2VVbKbjohRx3k6kSzTH/edit?pli=1#