In the dynamic world of youth sports, fostering a positive environment where young athletes can thrive both on and off the court is paramount. One of the key pillars in achieving PCA’s vision is through strategic partnerships with organizations that share our values and commitment to empowering young athletes. Among these esteemed partners, League One Volleyball (LOVB) stands out as a beacon of innovation and dedication to nurturing not only talent, but life skills beyond the court. Since the inception of our partnership in August 2023, PCA and LOVB have worked hand in hand to revolutionize the landscape of youth volleyball, emphasizing not only skill development but also social and emotional growth.
At the heart of our collaboration lies a shared belief in the power of education and mentorship to shape young athletes into well-rounded individuals. From the outset, our partnership was built on the premise of combining PCA's expertise in coach education and fostering positive sports culture with LOVB's innovative approach to talent development. Through a series of live Zoom workshops, LOVB has provided an opportunity for over 1,000 LOVB coaches and parents nationwide to engage with PCA's curriculum, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to empower the next generation of athletes. By hosting these workshops regularly, LOVB has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned in their approach to creating a supportive and nurturing environment for young volleyball players.
Central to our partnership with LOVB is the shared goal of empowering coaches to become catalysts for positive change in their athletes' lives. By providing access to PCA's online courses, LOVB has equipped its member coaches with the resources and training necessary to instill values such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal growth in their players. Through this comprehensive approach to coach education, LOVB is not only raising the standard of coaching in youth volleyball but also fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning within its community.
As we celebrate Women's History Month, it is fitting to highlight LOVB's leadership in promoting access and opportunity for women athletes. As a women-led organization, LOVB is at the forefront of efforts to increase participation and improve the experience of female athletes in the sport of volleyball. Although LOVB serves all genders, PCA is proud to support LOVB as they continue to empower young women to excel both on and off the court, serving as role models for future generations of female athletes.
Q & A with League One Volleyball (LOVB):
How has the partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) enhanced the coaching experience within the League One Volleyball (LOVB) community?
As a youth-to-pro league, we aim to foster a positive sports culture that nurtures talent at every stage. To ensure we meet these goals, we believe it’s important to invest in our coaches and provide them with the best resources in the marketplace. PCA is one of those resources. From imparting training techniques to coaching philosophies to providing insight into how to deal with the challenges that athletes may face, our partnership with PCA gives our coaches, as well as our clubs’ parents, the tools necessary to keep the lines of communication open and relay realistic expectations on all sides.
Can you share any specific success stories or testimonials from coaches or parents who have participated in PCA's live Zoom workshops?
We have many, though one parent’s story in particular stands out. This parent shared that when they spoke to their daughter about her expectations for the season, they learned that their daughters were very different from their own. Using the tools provided by the PCA, this parent shared that the family was able to clearly share their different perspectives and understand and appreciate from where one another was coming.
In what ways has LOVB integrated the principles of positive coaching and sportsmanship into its programs and competitions?
We’ve incorporated these principles throughout our work in our clubs, from our athlete training to our coach development. For example, we’ve added a PCA tip to each newsletter we send to coaches, and our Whole Athlete Training recommendations every month to help them meet their players where they are and use sports psychology techniques to work on mindset. We’ve also encouraged our athletes to embrace these principles off-court through programs such as our organization-wide “Spread the LOVB” campaign which focuses on exhibiting sportsmanship beyond the sidelines through community service and giving back.
As a women-led organization, how does LOVB prioritize the development and empowerment of women athletes?
LOVB’s mission is to drive better life outcomes for women through the sport of volleyball and from our leadership team and our pro athletes to our club coaches and junior athletes, we seek to embody this philosophy through everything we do.
Volleyball is the fastest growing women’s team sport in the US, attracting record breaking crowds and prompting millions of people to tune into Olympic and NCAA games broadcast on air. However, until this point, there has not been a sustainable professional league in the US.
At LOVB, we have seized on the opportunity to support women athletes from club to pro. We’ve built the largest brand in youth volleyball through our network of clubs nationwide and giving our athletes -- at every step of their playing journey – the attention they deserve as we build pathways to play pro on American soil. When athletes join LOVB, they are joining a full youth-to-pro ecosystem. It’s LOVB for life.
Looking ahead, what are some of the key initiatives or goals that LOVB and PCA hope to achieve together in the future to further advance the youth volleyball landscape?
We have big ambitions for the future, but in our first year we have been focused on testing and learning how this integration can help us be the most effective possible and provide the very best coaching experiences in youth volleyball.
As we reflect on the milestones achieved through our partnership with LOVB, we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. Together, we will continue to innovate and inspire, striving to create a world where every child has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of youth sports. With a shared commitment to excellence and a passion for making a difference, PCA and LOVB are poised to shape the future of youth volleyball for years to come.
