GYDP Open Letter to GSA Leaders v2


[PDF]GYDP Open Letter to GSA Leaders v2 - Rackcdn.comhttps://35b7f1d7d0790b02114c-1b8897185d70b198c119e1d2b7efd8a2.ssl.cf1.rackc...

5 downloads 164 Views 1MB Size

The Gladiator Youth Development Project Dear GSA Leader,

Georgia Supreme Athletics Incorporated







When we set out to create what has become Georgia Supreme Athletics [GSA] in 2010, we wanted to be more than a respected youth sports organization. In fact, our vision was to be the ‘next-generation, youth sports movement”. Fast forward to 2015 and there is visible evidence of having succeeded with a portion of this vision. We have built a solid, respectable, championship athletic legacy that is now recognized throughout the city and region. Also, our community service and academic accountability efforts are visible proof that our purpose extends far beyond sport alone.

However, given the platform we now have, I want to leverage the solid football and cheer foundation we have built, while driving home our deeper purpose. I am speaking about the introduction of GSA’s Gladiator Youth Development Project. This project will enhance our existing athletic programs by incorporating character development and after-school program components for the young football players and cheerleaders we serve. In order for this project to be a success, I need a 100% commitment from all leaders in GSA! That is the essential purpose for this communication. Why the Gladiator Youth Development Project?

Black children in low socioeconomic families are at high risk for low self-esteem, high anxiety, and limited ambition, which are all factors highly correlated with low academic and personal success. This is evident when examining graduation rates by race. Black high school students in the United States have a graduation rate of only 50.2%, much lower than the 74.9% rate for their White counterparts. These disparities are especially apparent for predominantly Black school districts in Atlanta, where graduation rate is 39.6%.

However, proper mentorship and guidance have repeatedly been associated with successful completion of high school and decreased incidence of problem behavior. For many of our children, their best opportunity for gaining a positive role model outside of school and home may come from their sports activities. However, because of limited access to quality recreation services, an opportunity to receive steady mentorship from a certified coach is rarely available, yet it could significantly improve the potential success of children in our communities. As leaders we are called to do more than coach sports, and our kids lives may depend on it… What’s are the goals of the project?

The overall goal of the Gladiator Youth Development Project is to develop student athletes to be successful beyond the field of play. We plan to reach this goal by providing character building through the 7 Mindsets Curriculum, and academic support programs through Saving our Sons and Sisters International (SOSSI). A secondary goal of project is to obtain grant funding to offer this program without cost for qualifying families. Finally, we plan to enroll our youth athletes and their parents, while completion for our coaches is will be a mandatory prerequisite of GSA’s Coach Certification. Coaches will form an important part of the program’s success through modeling and reinforcement. What’s needed from you?

Confident that you will accept the challenge to teach the fundamentals to excel in football and cheer, this season I am asking for more. I am asking for some of your heart this season. In order for the Gladiator Youth Development Project to be successful, I need each of you to show your heartfelt concern for our kids’ off-field success with a commitment. Specifically, I am requesting that all coaches commit to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Participate in a Gladiator Youth Development Orientation Session (May 2015) Complete 7 Mindsets workshop (May-June 2015) Encourage participation in 7 Mindsets & academic support by athletes and team parents Complete a 7 Mindsets Train-The-Trainer workshop (June 2015) Reinforce 7 Mindsets through-out the season with players, coaches & Parents

More on this new project, details and dates will follow soon. For now please know that GSA was hand selected to implement this program in an Athletic program and costs will be waived based upon our participation. I need your support GSA Leaders! Robert ‘Coach’ Golden, President Georgia Supreme Athletics, Inc.