The Transformational Coach

'If you truly want to make a difference in the lives of others, this is a must-read. Greg Winkler's message to help us combat our youth sport participation crisis and our parent crisis is spot on.' -Geoff VanDeusen, Director of Operations & Events, United Soccer Coaches 'Greg Winkler's book is a great roadmap for coaches striving to be influential. His Transformational Coaching method will shift your entire paradigm regarding coaching. It will drive you to become a more mindful coach, thereby creating stronger players, teams, and families.' -Teresa Palmer, Kagen School Trainer, Girls on the Run Coach, and Life Skills teacher at FSW Collegiate High School American youth athletes are abandoning athletics at an alarming rate, with 70% of children dropping out of youth sport programs by the age of 14. One of the top reasons for this dropout rate is poor coaching, yet, only 30% of youth and high school coaches have any formal training. The Transformational Coach gives coaches the tools to build relationships, move their teams forward, and improve the development of their players as they progress to the next level. This book teaches them how to guide with a purpose. With better coaching, the youth participation crisis in the United States can be addressed, and the negative parent perception can be fixed. This book will develop strong coaches who will lead the way. The coaching profession has seen 58% of coaches quit or consider quitting because of parent issues; 82% of coaches report that dealing with parents has gotten worse; 25% of new coaches leave the profession within the first three years. But the transformational coach can use mindfulness strategies to change the alarming trend in youth athletics for the better. The Transformational Coach is about shifting the mindset of coaches-and even players and parents-to build stronger players, a stronger team, and a stronger program!

With more than 30 years of experience as an educator, coach, and administrator, Greg Winkler is currently head coach of the boys' soccer team at Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Florida, where he also serves as a physical education teacher at the Charlotte Campus of Florida SouthWestern State College. Greg was named to the Wisconsin Soccer Association Hall of Fame's Class of 2015 and the Wisconsin Soccer Hall of Fame's Class of 2017, which recognize a coaching career that includes more than 400 wins at both youth and high school levels. Among his many achievements, Greg was given the NSCAA Coach of the Year Award in 2012, was recognized as the Wisconsin Large School Coach of the Year in 2004, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coach of the Year in 2005, and the State Youth Coach of the Year in 2006. His passion for enhancing the game of soccer extended to all facets of the sport, leading to his involvement as a referee trainer for the Wisconsin Youth Referee Association and a four-year term as president of the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association (2002-2006), where he was also a director from 2002-2014. Greg worked with the United Soccer Coaches as the state technical director for Wisconsin from 2010-2013 and has continued his work with the national organization as the high school chair on the advocacy council, a position he's held since 2013. Greg is a certified athletic administrator and holds a United States Soccer Federation D License as well as United Soccer Coaches, Premier, Advanced National, and National Diplomas. Greg and his wife, Vikki, were recognized as Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association Parents of the Year in 2002.