PeacePlayers International team up with Detroit Pistons to train basketball coaches

PeacePlayers International (PPI) and the Detroit Pistons teamed up this week to train basketball coaches from Junior Pistons and the Detroit area in sports-based youth development strategies. 

Nearly 30 coaches from across Detroit gathered at the historic Don Bosco Community Center to learn strategies to build deeper relationships with the players on their teams.

The training focused on language and discourse that coaches can use with young players to help build strong relationships and a culture of safety where their players can take safe-risk.

The Detroit Pistons and PeacePlayers International will try to ensure that kids across the city of Detroit will establish more caring adult relationships for the new basketball season. 

The day began with a visit from Pistons coaches Charles Klask and Malik Allen, who inspired the coaches to invest in their players, both on and off the court. The rest of the afternoon was filled with activities, conversations and games as the coaches were able to try some of the new strategies with each other. 

Previous Beyond Sport Global Award winners PeacePlayers International uses basketball to unite, educate and inspire young people to create a more peaceful community through sport in countries all over the globe. 

Based on the premise that children who play together can learn to live together, they implement consistent, year-round sports activities that bring together children from opposite sides of religious, ethnic and cultural divides to develop friendship and mutual respect.

The new initiative this week marks another resounding effort to improve a competitive sporting environment for youth through promoting strong values and fair play. 

Find out more about PPI on their website here.