Veronica Garcia
Veronica Garcia, Dodgers RBI Coach at Franklin D. Roosevelt Park in South Los Angeles, has won Positive Coaching Alliance’s coveted Double-Goal Coach Award presented by TeamSnap for her positive impact on youth athletes.
Garcia is one of 50 national recipients of the Double-Goal Coach award, named for coaches who strive to win while also pursuing the more important goal of teaching life lessons through sports. The award includes a $200 prize, a certificate, and mention within the websites and newsletters of Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), a national non-profit developing Better Athletes, Better People through youth and high school sports.
“Garcia helps athletes win on and off the field,” said Alan Berkes, Executive Director of PCA-Los Angeles, the local Chapter of Positive Coaching Alliance. “By creating a positive, character-building youth sports experience and serving as a Double-Goal Coach, Veronica helps youth develop into better athletes and better people.”
In August, 2017, Garcia was named a Dodgers RBI, (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities), Coach of the Year by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. She was recognized at a pre-game ceremony during a Dodgers Foundation Giving Moment with Dodger Manager, Dave Roberts, congratulating each winner on the field before a game. Over 75 coaches were nominated by Dodgers RBI parents and location staff, and Veronica rose to the top as one of five winners selected for her positive approach and impact on youth in sports. “Our volunteer coaches are the key to developing and impacting our Dodgers RBI players on and off the field. Veronica is a true example of making a difference in her community and we congratulate her on this recognition”, said Tiffany Rubin, Director Dodgers RBI.
The recognition comes as a result of Garcia’s approach to working with young boys and girls as they are just learning the sport of baseball. She takes a patient, nurturing approach to ensure that all players feel safe, have fun and learn some skill development as well. She has helped players who came to her as timid, anti-social, and disinterested find a love of the sport and experience confidence, friendship and what it means to be part of the team. She teaches with discipline, motivation and the goal to always improve, and shows them the positive impact sports can have on their lives.
Garcia is also an excellent role model, motivator and communicator. “The attention span at this age is not always there, so I always remind them we’re here to have fun”, she said. She makes an effort to reach each and every child reminding them that, “they have potential and it’s making them see that they can do it.” To ensure that the kids don’t get too stressed out about mistakes, the team does a huddle after practice or a game to discuss any items that need attention. They discuss as a group if any mistakes were made and therefore no one feels singled out. Garcia doesn’t want the kids to “freeze up and forget what to do or listen to parents in the stands so she reminds them to “not give up, you can do it!” At this young age she has learned that the promise of snacks is a great way to motivate players to stay on track, follow the rules and make the most of practice!