TAMPA — In sports and in the game of life, we have to learn how to handle the wins and the losses. 

Those lessons begin with good coaching, which is there the Positive Coaching Alliance comes in — their mission is to create sports environments that develop character. 

PCA community impact manager, Michael Wardlow says there’s nothing wrong with competing to win, but regardless of the outcome, young athletes must learn the value of good sportsmanship. 

"We know you want to win, everybody wants to win, but in that process of winning, you also need to be able to teach these kids life lessons,” said Wardlow. “Our main focus is to create better athletes and better people.” 

It’s not only the athletes they’re working with, it’s also the parents in the stands. 

"Some of the biggest issues deal with the parents — I hate to say that, but it is,” Wardlow said. “Some of the parents are out of control.” 

Sideline antics have become all too familiar in youth sports. Now, Positive Coaching Alliance is calling foul in unsportsmanlike conduct. 

"The worst coaches are sitting in the stands, so with those trainings and workshops we have with those parents, it’s to reiterate, do not do those types of things,” Wardlow explained. “When you do those types of things, you’re criticizing your kid, but also bringing attention to yourself and taking the attention away that needs to be on your kid who’s out there on the field.” 

Wardlow has been both, a coach and a parent. He knows the balance isn’t always easy. 

"I was my son’s coach from the age of 3 to 14 and it wasn’t until he came to me as the coach and said, 'I want you to be my dad, I don’t want you to be my coach,' because he said I was being too hard on him.” 

Now, he’s helping other parents. 

"We’re teaching them how to let go or also, how to act in the stands, or how to be an addition for the coach to try to teach the same mission with the kids when they go off the court or off the field,” Wardlow said. 

Workshops led by positive coaching alliance help everyone know their role on the team. 

Carmyn Samuel, a PCA trainer and girls basketball coach at SLAM Tampa. Samuel says involving everyone is key. 

"I think it’s important to include parents — parents are the reason kids make it to wherever they’re going a lot of the times,” Samuel said. "Sometimes, I think parents just need to understand their role.” 

With one shared goal, helping more kids enjoy the game.