Athletes experience mental health symptoms at similar rates to the general population, however their developmental stage and performance level can create different athlete specific risk factors (concussions, performance failure, over training). Athletes also experience typical risk factors for poor mental health such as negative life events, trauma, and insufficient sleep (Purcell, Gwyther & Rice, 2019). Maintaining overall mental wellbeing has been a struggle for many, athletes included, during COVID. In a recent NCAA Student-Athlete COVID-19 Wellbeing report not only was this need level confirmed but “participants indicated they would generally look to coaches as their primary source of information related to training, physical wellbeing, mental health, and social connections during this time.” (NCAA, 2020) The Champions Network is here to help with this. During this session, participants will hear from Ivy Watts (https://www.ivywattsspeaks.com/), a top 30 finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, who on the inside struggled daily with anxiety, self-worth and depression. Beth Caronna,(https://www.wcvb.com/article/5-for-good-doc-wayne-offers-sports-based-therapy-to-hundreds-of-area-kids/31246949), a former NCAA student-athlete, who had previously suffered with mental health challenges and used competitive sport for healing and Rebekah Roulier, LMHC (https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/04/03/0403-bh-s-roulier/), a former two sport NCAA student-athlete and college coach who became a clinician in response to not being able to meet her athletes mental health needs. Participants will leave the session with practical tips on holding safe space for athletes to talk openly about mental health, the importance of their role in the mental health system, and first hand knowledge from two athletes who retrospectively can answer questions on what would have helped them during their careers. We hope that this session will play a role in breaking the collective silence surrounding mental illness in competitive sport. Thank you for considering registering and joining the movement to ensure mental health support for all. Once registered, all details will be sent to attendees via our Champions Network Welcome Packet which will arrive via email. If you have not received your Welcome Packet 1 week prior to the training please contact [email protected]

As a trusted adult working with youth, having the skills to recognize and navigate behaviors exhibited as a reaction to a child's history of trauma is imperative. This starts with understanding youth Mental Health. The Champions Network training on trauma-informed care coaches you on identifying the root behind a youth's behavior and creating a space that is comfortable for the youth you work with - one that is inclusive and understanding of trauma histories. Certificate of completion provided for this training if participant completes all portions of the program (recorded videos, knowledge checks, live Zoom sessions, etc.). Note: One hour of pre-recorded content is provided to watch prior to attending this live Zoom recording. Once registered, all details will be sent to attendees via our Champions Network Welcome Packet which will arrive via email. If you have not received your Welcome Packet 1 week prior to the training please contact [email protected]

Doc Wayne's proprietary curriculum, Creating Champions™, layers clinical and social-emotional learning goals onto an intuitive sports framework. You will learn to frame therapeutic interventions in a sport-based lens and translate therapeutic skills into sport-based slogans - making sessions more enjoyable and engaging for youth and families. This certification program will challenge you to think creatively about mental health and the connection between our minds and our bodies. Participants will receive guides to support the creation of their group sessions using Doc Wayne's curriculum. After completing this training, you will be equipped to lead sport-based therapy sessions for youth. Certificate of completion provided for this training if participant completes all portions of the program (recorded videos, knowledge checks, live Zoom sessions, etc.). Professional credentialing lasts up to 2 years. Licensed clinicians and youth development professions are both welcome. Minimum Entry Criteria (Individual, Clinician): ● 30-minute interview with a Doc Wayne team member; please contact [email protected] to schedule. ● Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling Psychology or similar field. ● Belief in the power of sport and therapeutic play to provide healing. Dedication to youth, social justice, and improving the lives of others. ● Agreement to The Champions Network training participation agreement ● Ability to speak and understand English (currently trainings are conducted in English). We hope to provide trainings in additional languages in the future. Minimum Entry Criteria (Individual, Youth Development Professionals and Coach): ● Interview with a Doc Wayne team member; please contact [email protected] to schedule. ● Past work with young people (minimum of one year). If a coach does not meet the minimum, our team is happy to support them in finding educational opportunities that can be taken as stepping stones. ● Belief in the power of sport and therapeutic play to provide healing. Dedication to youth, social justice, and improving the lives of others. ● Agreement to The Champions Network training participation agreement. As non-licensed clinicians, you can utilize our sport-based approach as a mental health support, but not as a billable clinical practice. ● Ability to speak and understand English (currently trainings are conducted in English). We hope to provide trainings in additional languages in the future. Note: Clinicians in training (social work and counseling psychology students) qualify as “coaches”. Organizations who wish to enroll groups of staff for Creating Champions™ - Level 1 please contract [email protected] for entry criteria. Doc Wayne does not credential clinicians and coaches within our direct service region of Eastern, MA., USA.

LGBTQ youth report feeling less safe in sports environments (GLSEN, 2013; Kulick et al. 2019), experiencing higher levels of anti-LGBTQ harassment and lower levels of intervention (Gill et al., 2010; GLSEN, 2013; Toomey et al., 2018). This session, led by LGBTQ-identified facilitators, will explore what it means to proactively create LGBTQ-affirming athletic spaces. Using an interactive, experiential approach, we'll also practice intervention techniques that address anti-LGBTQ behavior within sports. Participants will walk away with practical applications for how to better support their current or future LGBTQ+ athletes. Once registered, all details will be sent to attendees via our Champions Network Welcome Packet which will arrive via email. If you have not received your Welcome Packet 1 week prior to the training please contact [email protected]