PCA’s 2019 Trainer Institute took place June 20-23 at the IONS Retreat Center in Petaluma, CA where over 70 PCA Certified Trainers gathered from around the United States to learn from each other and strengthen their workshop facilitation skills. Our Trainers are the "face" of PCA in communities and lead more than 3,400 live workshops to parents, coaches, athletes and leaders each year, so their professional development is of utmost importance.

Trainer Institute (often referred to as “TI”) is a four-day event that Positive Coaching Alliance strives to conduct bi-annually for our contract trainers around the country.

The goals of the event are
1) to increase connection among the trainers, and increase connection between the trainers and our organization,
2) trainer professional development, and
3) a fun reward for the dedication and great work our trainers do.

Throughout the weekend, PCA trainers from all over the country elevated their game by taking part in sessions on meaningful workshop activities, listening in on a Q&A with Dr. Karen Collins and President Tina Syer, watching and critiquing one another in 'practice' workshops, and got up to speed on the inner workings of PCA.

Time and again, our trainers leave TI with recharged batteries, motivated and equipped to make their workshops stronger, and with an increased dedication to transform youth and high school sports!

Many of PCA's trainers left feeling inspired and shared the following comments on the activities of the weekend:

"Thank you. PCA is a valuable resource for youth sports. TI is invaluable in deepening the skillset of the trainers, aligning the whole team on the same goals, and reigniting our vision. Wow. I am so excited to use my new skills and new friendships to impact the culture of youth sports."

"TI is a unique opportunity for those of us scattered abroad in the hinterlands to come together for learning, refueling, and much-needed fellowship with our colleagues and with the staff members we rarely have interaction with! That’s you so much for making it possible for us to learn and grow in such a beautiful setting!"See the full list of PCA Trainers, and if you are interested in joining this team? Click here.

National Director of Training, Ruben Nieves, delivers introductory remarks for the weekend.

PCA-Mid Atlantic Executive Director Jake Wald with PCA-Los Angeles’ Marti Reed and Executive Vice President Courtney Pollack

PCA-Portland Executive Director Ben Dudley with PCA Trainer Linday Strothers

PCA National Advisory Board Member Dr. Karen Collins (middle) travelled all the way from University of New Hampshire to spend time with the PCA Trainer Team.