June 4, 2008

JACKSON, Miss. - Jackson State head softball coach Kenya Peters has been selected to participate in the 2008 NCAA Women Coaches Academy June 7-11 in Atlanta, Ga.

About the Academy
The NCAA Women Coaches Academy provides skills training for coaches at all levels to assist them in being more efficient, productive, resourceful and successful. The academy is designed for women coaches who are ready and willing to increase their individual effectiveness by learning advanced skills and strategies that directly affect their personal and team success. The participants learn skills that are not sport specific, yet ones that are relevant and necessary for coaching responsibilities, beyond the X's and O's.

History
In 2002, the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics (CWA) supported an initiative to train, support and retain women coaches. That was the start of the Women Coaches Academy (WCA). To date there have been eleven highly successful sessions of the five-day academies, which are open to any coach from any sport, and any division.

Overview
The WCA is designed to give coaches the opportunity to understand their expanding role as a coach, along with perspectives and skills to help them make the most of their situation. In the company and understanding of other coaches, they will have the opportunity to talk and listen with others to gain support and learn new tools and strategies.

The first component is the Core Curriculum offered in a five day format. The WCA program is structured into four educational tracks. Listed below is how the Core Curriculum subjects fit within the tracks.

1. Philosophy and Fundamentals
• Title IX and Gender Equity
• History and Culture of Women's Sports
• Philosophies of Coaching
• Fundamentals of Coaching
• Learning Styles and Teaching Methods

2. Management Skills
• Change Management
• Ethics and Decision-Making
• Principles of Marketing
• Management Methods
• Legal Issues of Coaching

3. Communication Strategies
• Communication Skills
• Diversity
• Public Speaking

4. Career Development
• Interviewing
• Networking

The Women Coaches Academy has three objectives:
1) Skills Development - Provide women coaches with professional development in areas other than the X's and O's of their sport. These include, management strategies, decision-making, ethics, leadership, legal issues and communication skills.

2) Retention - To inspire and motivate women coaches to remain in the coaching profession. By expanding their knowledge, perspective and skill base, they gain confidence and determination to set career goals and be more successful and competent.

3) Mentoring - Provide a framework for interaction between women in all aspects of athletics -- from peers to pioneers.