2023.03 -- US Storybook 2022 updated 4.14 - Flipbook - Page 42
would be able to understand the weight of their shift from participant to employee.
While it was Coach Matt’s first experience training, he knew he had to keep things
dynamic to best benefit the young people he was working with. “There were times
during the summer where I had to realize, like, I needed to pull back or draw back
some on being so vocal, and challenging them, but also giving them that opportunity
to implement the things that they’re trying to work on”. Giving young people the space
to try things on seems to be consistent in Matt’s approach as not only a coach but as a
mentor as well.
This approach really paid off for Matt and the relationships he was able to build with
the youth coaches. Two participants in particular seemed to gravitate towards his
coaching style, as did he to their curiosity: Javonn and Sharron. “From the very first
time meeting Javonn, I quickly saw just how much potential he has, like how unafraid
to speak he is. He’s, you know, confident. He’s the one that will volunteer to speak or
volunteer to go first. So that always made a strong impression on me.”
“Sharron and me really, really clicked, and I think I’ve been more of a mentor for him
in a personal way more than maybe just a professional [way]. Over the summer, a few
times, Javon and Sharon, they would come in for private runs with me, like my weekly
runs that I would go to and play. So that was a great time for us to, you know, to just
kind of hang out and play ball together where it wasn’t the typical dynamic of me
being Coach Matt, and them being my kids. We were teammates.”
“They also got an opportunity to meet some of my close friends and some of my past
athletes that I’ve coached. And like these are some kids that have been where they
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PEACEPLAYERS UNITED STATES STORYBOOK
