Mike Jankowski welcomes Playworks Junior Coaches to Mount Hood
Laureus Ambassador and Head Coach for the US Olympic Snowboarding & Freeskiing Teams, Halfpipe & Slopestyle, Mike Jankowski, normally trains the top athletes in the world at Mount Hood, outside of Portland.
He works with the top coaches and leaders in the field to ensure that the athletes on the US Olympic team are positioned for success. On Wednesday, he brought twenty 4th and 5th grade children from Grout Elementary School in Portland, USA to the mountain to work with them on leadership skills and give them tips for how to be great Junior Coaches.
“Our athletes from the US Olympic team understand how an inclusive, team mindset can help them achieve more as they learn from other members of the team. Playworks Junior Coaches teach this same idea to peers on the playground. These fourth- and fifth-graders will model games, involve their classmates in those games, resolve conflicts, and ensure that the playground is a safe environment for every kid.”
Through being a Laureus Ambassador, Coach Mike has been developing an ongoing relationship with the Laureus USA-supported program, Playworks. Last month he emceed Keep Portland Playful, a fundraiser to support Playworks and spent time visiting a local recess in Portland, putting his foursquare skills to the test.
“’I’m excited to join forces with Playworks to promote play for every child across the country, and especially today in my hometown of Portland. Laureus USA is committed to providing support to sport-for-good organizations in order to help strengthen their reach and improve social, health and education outcomes for youth in under-resourced communities.”
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation uses sport as the means to improve the lives of young people everywhere. Laureus Ambassadors, such as Mike Jankowski, volunteer their time to assist the work of the Foundation. Since its inception Laureus has raised over €60 million and currently supports more than 150 projects around the world, which have helped to improve the lives of millions of children.
