Strengths-based coaching. Treat players with respect and motivate with praise.

Major League Soccer Camps has brought a new coaching methodology to youth soccer across the country and the Newtown Soccer Club became the first organization in Connecticut and second in the nation to offer the workshop to its members.

The workshop – held Friday and Saturday at the Newtown Middle School and Treadwell Park – was available to all coaches, volunteers and parents in the Newtown Soccer Club and it was designed to teach the unique philosophies and methodologies in what MLS called, “creating a WINNING player and WINNING teams.”

Strengths-Based Coaching is a collaborative effort between NASC Inc. (the parent company of MLS Camps) and the Gallup Organization to identify and maximize a coach’s natural talents for the betterment of both coach and player. The mission of the program is to help coaches lift players beyond their vision of capability, providing resources, training and tools that provide healthy attitudes and a more positive approach to developing today’s youth through sports.

Last weekend MLS Camps instructors introduced a couple dozen participants to the seven tenets to success in this new style of coaching – including – developing the WHOLE child as well as the player; creating winning opportunities for everyone; embracing a positive psychological climate; performing at games by encouraging good performance from all; living by the motto of Always Be Coaching; making every meeting an “event”; and developing a REAL relationship with everyone.

MLS Camps has developed its programs with the understanding of the importance of identifying talent and working to strengths and has developed its programs for players from aged five to those a6t the Elite team level.

MLS Camps believes Strengths-Based Coaching, a revolutionary coaching philosophy, will dramatically improve every coaching interaction for everyone in the organization – each coach, parent and player.

The Newtown Soccer Club may adapt the methodology in the future and make the workshop a pre-requisite to becoming a volunteer within the club.