Entering his second year as Little League® President and CEO, Patrick W. Wilson has joined the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) National Board of Directors, a group of accomplished business and community leaders who help guide and grow the PCA Movement.
“All children deserve the opportunity to have a fun, meaningful youth sports experience, and we’re proud that millions of families trust Little League as that entry into sports for their kids and that we have the right partners to support us,” said Wilson. “Little League and PCA have worked together for 20 years to help bring the exceptional experience to Little League players and volunteers, and I’m honored and humbled to represent Little League on this board and look forward to an exciting future together to help improve the youth sports landscape.”
Since 2006, Little League has partnered with PCA to provide a framework and tools for local Little League volunteers to develop a culture of positive, character-building competition. Little League has also extended this partnership to include relevant information for the Little League Coach, Little League Parent, and other Little League volunteers, including through several FREE PCA webinars specifically for Little League volunteers at select periods throughout the year.
“Pat has dedicated his career to expanding access, improving the quality of play, and strengthening the youth sports experience for millions of young athletes around the world,” said Jason Sacks, Positive Coaching Alliance CEO. “His leadership at Little League International and deep commitment to developing kids through sport make him an outstanding addition to our National Board.”
Each year, Little League and PCA also team up to honor volunteer coaches within the Little League program through the Little League Coach of the Year Award, Supported by PCA, celebrating exceptional coaches who exemplify positive leadership, mentorship, and sportsmanship, and go above and beyond, to create positive, character-building experiences for young athletes in their communities.
In addition to the work they do together to support parents and coaches at the grassroots level, Little League and PCA are also both members of the Million Coaches Challenge cohort (focused on training one million coaches in youth development) as well as key partners as part of the Aspen Institute’s 63×30 initiative and ESPN Take Back Sports campaign (aiming to get more kids playing youth sports and having fun with a goal of 63% participation by 2030).