Anyone involved in youth and high school sports can learn from watching this panel discussion among several winners of PCA’s Double-Goal Coach® Award, moderated by PCA National Advisory Board Member, Olympic Gold Medalist and World Cup Champion Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy). The panel, held at the 2014 National Youth Sports Awards Dinner and Auction Sponsored by Deloitte, comprises:

• Rene Ayala, soccer coach at Sir Francis Drake High School, San Anselmo, CA
• Venessa Barnard, volleyball coach at Grace Academy High School and Alii Volleyball Club, Georgetown, TX
• Bob Baxter, baseball coach for Menlo-Atherton Little League, Menlo Park, CA
• Chris Lindstrom, football coach at Shepherd Hill Regional High School, Dudley, MA.

Panelists provide insights on how they impact youth and high school athletes on and off the field, identifying specific ways that their coaching helps teach life lessons in compassion, leadership, self-advocacy, and overcoming adversity. Themes emerging from the discussion include the importance of coaches developing unique personal connections with each individual athlete and having the courage to care enough to impact each person’s life.