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Creating a positive climate for learning

It’s not just about skill development, it’s about building mental resilience, fostering a sense of belonging, and encouraging a mindset that sees every challenge as an opportunity to get better. Remember: ’We don’t lose, we learn’. Improvement, however, takes time. The way players approach learning, and the atmosphere created around that process, plays a huge […]

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Creating a positive climate for learning

It’s not just about skill development, it’s about building mental resilience, fostering a sense of belonging, and encouraging a mindset that sees every challenge as an opportunity to get better. Remember: ’We don’t lose, we learn’.

Improvement, however, takes time. The way players approach learning, and the atmosphere created around that process, plays a huge role in how well they develop.

Why the learning environment matters

Belonging is essential to the cohesion, motivation and resilience of sports teams, creating a foundation for trust and collaboration.

5. Make learning enjoyable 
In a team environment, this means reframing setbacks not as signs of failure, but as opportunities for growth. 

To stay competitive, players and coaches must continually improve on the field, in the gym, and in their minds. 

1. Foster psychological safety

Building the right environment

2. Encourage a growth mindset 

Training sessions should incorporate elements of fun, creativity and challenge to keep things fresh. 

At Burton, we have started a new initiative called the ’Heritage Huddle’. 
However, simply setting easy or vague goals doesn’t foster real growth. Setting Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals challenges players to stretch their abilities and keeps them focused on what’s most important.

Dweck’s research on mindset adds another layer, suggesting that environments fostering a growth mindset, where team members see skills and qualities as improvable, further strengthen this sense of belonging. 

The key is to ensure that they are motivating, achievable and always tied back to individual and collective improvement.

In a sport where physical strength, tactical intelligence and mental resilience are paramount, one essential factor often gets overlooked: creating a positive environment for learning.

The role of leadership – whether that is coaches, or senior players – is to model these behaviours. 

Rugby is a dynamic and complex sport that requires constant evolution. Techniques, strategies, and even the mindset needed to succeed, are always changing.
It is important to celebrate goals that have been achieved. This reinforces motivation, builds confidence, and acknowledges the hard work invested. 

To build a successful team, coaches and other staff, as well as players and supporters, should all embrace a growth mindset.

So, how do we create a positive learning climate in rugby?

7. Belonging 

Players who enjoy their work will invest more energy and passion into their development, ultimately benefiting the team.

Educational expert Peps McCrea has discussed how belonging fosters a shared identity, shaping behaviours and attitudes that lead to higher levels of commitment and performance. Identity could be as simple as a collective uniform.

3. Set clear and challenging goals 
Activities like skill challenges, friendly competitions, or small-sided games can keep players motivated, while reinforcing core principles of the game. 

Building a positive learning climate requires patience and consistency.

When players feel safe to experiment and challenge themselves, they are more likely to take risks and push their limits.

We host our own ’Great Burton Bake Off’, where players are randomly selected over two months to bring a homemade treat to training.

Team-mates have an opportunity to learn from each other. Whether it’s an experienced player sharing insights with a less experienced one, or a young player bringing fresh ideas to the table, collaboration among players strengthens the team.

These interactions often lead to innovative solutions to problems and can build stronger bonds between team-mates, which is crucial for both individual and team success. 

A player who fails at a specific task doesn’t have to see it as a permanent limitation, but rather a part of the learning process. 

But goals should also be fluid. As players and teams progress, goals should evolve and adapt. 
True competitors are players who consistently bring out their best possible performance, time after time. 

Together, these insights show that a strong sense of belonging can improve individual performance, and also elevate the team’s collective strength, enabling players to thrive and pursue shared goals with dedication.

Performance coach Owen Eastwood, who specialises in team culture, emphasises belonging from a cultural perspective, drawing on the Māori concept of whakapapa, or shared ancestry, which creates a deep-rooted connection among team members. 

Athletes who believe they can grow within their team are more likely to stay motivated, embrace challenges, and develop a stronger bond with their team-mates.

By cultivating a positive climate for learning, coaches, players, and teams can achieve more than just wins – they can create a culture of improvement that will last long after the season ends. 

Goals are the blueprint for development – without clear targets, players may lack direction or motivation.
Consistent communication, continuous reinforcement of expectations, and providing steady feedback ensures that learning becomes part of the team’s DNA. 

Here are some key principles that we try to follow at Burton RFC, who play at level 5 (Regional 1 Midlands), and how we try to cultivate an environment where players feel safe, inspired, and driven to grow.

I use research from sports psychologist Dan Abrahams, and strive to be transparent with the players, to let them know that our performances can’t always be 10/10. 

And, ultimately, that is what separates good teams from great ones.

Learning can be tough, and rugby is demanding, but players are far more likely to stay engaged if they enjoy the process. 

In doing so, players will trust the process and know that success is built upon a foundation of hard work, learning, and resilience.

A positive learning climate requires coaches and players to be aligned on what they want to achieve. This could be mastering a particular skill, improving fitness levels, or refining game strategy. 

Progress may not always be linear. There will be plateaus, setbacks and frustrations along the way. 

Enjoyment extends beyond the pitch, with activities like themed socials, or ’bring your dad on the bus’ weekends.

This is where we invite former players to deliver pre-match talks, sharing their personal experiences and memories as Burton RFC players. 

The most successful rugby teams are those that create environments where players can grow, learn from their mistakes, and constantly improve.
These have become memorable traditions that create lasting connections with people outside the club.

When individuals feel genuinely part of a group, they naturally align with that group’s norms and goals, which can encourage consistent efforts and mutual support, especially under challenging circumstances. This is particularly important for sports teams.

According to Eastwood, athletes who feel connected to their team’s legacy and culture experience a sense of responsibility to uphold and contribute to it, often leading to higher resilience and a shared drive to succeed. 

For example, a motto we use at Burton is: “We don’t lose, we learn”. We have had some pretty heavy losses according to the scoreboard, but it has given us an opportunity to learn, whether that be about our preparation or execution.

When we talk about creating a positive climate for learning, we must not forget one essential element: enjoyment.

A growth mindset emphasises effort over talent, resilience over perfection, and process over outcomes. 

Learning isn’t just about picking up new skills; it’s about unlearning bad habits, experimenting with different approaches, and fostering a growth mindset that embraces mistakes as stepping stones to mastery. 

A coach or leader who fosters psychological safety creates an atmosphere where players know that errors are part of the journey, not the end of it. 

This term, popularised by psychologist Carol Dweck, refers to the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed over time, through effort, practice and persistence.

The ability to cultivate a culture where learning is encouraged, embraced and celebrated can be the game-changer that drives personal and team success.
However, by consistently reinforcing positive behaviours and offering support, players will start to internalise the principles of learning and improvement. 

4. Promote peer learning and support 

By shifting our mindset from a fear of failure to a hunger for learning, we stay motivated and engaged.

It is more than just a pre-match talk, it’s a way to connect generations of Burton RFC players and supporters, ensuring our rich history continues to shape our future.

This is one of the most effective ways to reinforce a positive learning climate.

Mistakes – like a missed tackle, a poorly executed pass, or an offside penalty – are inevitable. They are also the best teachers. 

6. Be patient and consistent 

These sessions aim to inspire our current squad, foster a sense of belonging for new players, and strengthen the bond between the team and our wider club community. 

Moreover, learning from others engenders mutual respect and can help to break down any barriers that may exist between players of different levels of experience or skill within a team.

They’re the ones who push for a 6/10, when 5/10 seemed likely, and those who manage 7/10, even when a 5/10 would have been understandable.

An enthusiastic, energetic environment that celebrates learning moments (and winning bakes!) creates a culture of positivity. 

We have also set up our own ’Ally Pally’, with an ongoing darts competition, all of which adds to the fun and camaraderie within the team.

Conclusion 

This includes constructive feedback, open discussions about what went wrong and how to improve, and a willingness to support players when they fail. 

Celebrations not only boost individual morale, but also strengthen team unity, as players come together to honour shared success.

Coaches and senior players should encourage knowledge sharing, and create spaces for informal discussions and feedback. 

Creating a culture where learning is not only accepted, but actively encouraged, is foundational to the success of any team.

Players need to feel that they can make mistakes without fear of ridicule or punishment.

College Sports

Former FC Edmonton executive and local soccer legend Joe Petrone passes away

Breadcrumb Trail Links Local News FC Edmonton Joe Petrone was the brains behind FC Edmonton, Aviators and Drillers. His name was synonymous with soccer in the city Published Jun 21, 2025  •  Last updated 9 minutes ago  •  3 minute read Joe Petrone, director of soccer operations for the FC Edmonton soccer club, at Foote Field […]

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Former FC Edmonton executive and local soccer legend Joe Petrone passes away

Joe Petrone was the brains behind FC Edmonton, Aviators and Drillers. His name was synonymous with soccer in the city

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For decades, Joe Petrone’s name was synonymous with soccer in Edmonton, whether he was coaching a high school team or managing a professional franchise.

Petrone lost his battle with cancer on Thursday. He was 78.

Petrone was 12 when his family arrived in Edmonton from Italy. A young soccer phenom, he made it to the Canadian national team, playing at the 1967 Pan Am Games.

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He then distinguished himself as a coach, mentor and booster of a game that had always trailed the so-called “Big Four” in North America.  He was an assistant coach at Eastern Illinois University, the same school were Sorrentino’s restaurant chain founder Carmelo Rago played his college soccer.  He coached the Edmonton Drillers of the North American Soccer League. He was director of soccer operations for the Edmonton Brickmen of the Canadian Soccer League, and the director of soccer operations for FC Edmonton when the team made its debut in the second iteration of the North American Soccer League.

“Joe was the driving force behind professional soccer in this city. He always believed it would work here,” said Jeff Paulus, who served as assistant coach, academy coach and finally head coach of FC Edmonton. “He knew everything about everybody when it came to soccer in this city.

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“So many young players got their chances because of him. So many coaches got their chances because of him. And that includes me. Joe gave me a chance.”

Antonio Rago played for FC Edmonton from 2011-13. His dad, Carmelo, and Petrone were friends for 50 years, since they played together for Edmonton’s famed  Ital Canadians club.

“Joe had four daughters and a son. But my brothers and I were like four sons to him, too.” said Rago. “I know that when I made my professional debut, it was a proud moment for him.”

Petrone also loved the other type of football. In fact, in 1971, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys. Legend has it that Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry flew to Edmonton to get the deal done. It was time when NFL teams were starting to seek out soccer-style kickers. Still, it was a big deal that an Edmontonian was getting a shot in the Big D.

But after the preseason, Petrone returned to Edmonton and bought a house with the signing bonus. Rago recounted what has become family legend: When he was in Cowboys’ camp, his teammates made him sing “O Canada” in front of them. Petrone didn’t like being the outcast, the butt of the joke, so he came home.

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Rago said, even a few months before his passing, Petrone was still working the phones, trying to get Edmonton players tryouts with European clubs.

“That was Joe, always using his connections. He’s helped a countless number of players,” said Rago.

Former FC Edmonton owner Tom Fath said Petrone left a real mark on the soccer community.

“He was just so knowledgeable about the sport, and about people,” said Fath. “And the thing is, he cared a lot. And that meant a lot to me.”

“He was instrumental in getting so many young players to the Canadian national team and to colleges, where they could get scholarships.”

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  1. Netherlands' head coach Ronald Koeman and assistant Dwight Lodeweges (right) sing the national anthem during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final football match between the Netherlands and Turkey at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on July 6, 2024. (Photo by Angelos TZORTZINIS / AFP) Matheson: Dutch coach at Euro Cup has Edmonton and Alberta ties
  2. FC Edmonton Daryl Fordyce (16) celebrates with Adam Eckersley (44) after scoring on a penalty kick against the Carolina RailHawks which turned out to be the winning goal during NASL at Clarke Field in Edmonton, May 22, 2016. Long road to the top for FC Edmonton


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EAN Names Prattville's Trevor Ledkins As Autauga County Soccer Coach Of The Year

Scott Nickerson Elmore Autauga News Prattville’s boys’ soccer team had one of the best seasons in the history of the program. The Lions won the Class 7A Area 5 Championship over Thompson, Hillcrest Tuscaloosa, and Tuscaloosa County. The Lions went 18-4-1 with a whopping 13 shutouts in 23 contests. The Lions defeated Hoover in the […]

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EAN Names Prattville's Trevor Ledkins As Autauga County Soccer Coach Of The Year

Scott Nickerson

Elmore Autauga News

Prattville’s boys’ soccer team had one of the best seasons in the history of the program. The Lions won the Class 7A Area 5 Championship over Thompson, Hillcrest Tuscaloosa, and Tuscaloosa County. The Lions went 18-4-1 with a whopping 13 shutouts in 23 contests. The Lions defeated Hoover in the Class 7A Playoffs and advanced to the Class 7A quarterfinals. They finished the season ranked as #3 in Class 7A in the final post-season poll, ranked only behind the two teams that competed in the state championship. Further, Prattville was ranked #5 in the “Super Poll,” which includes teams from all seven classifications in the state.  As a result of that success, Elmore Autauga News has named Head Coach Trevor Ledkins as the Autauga County Soccer Coach of the Year.

“I am honored to be selected as Coach of the Year,” said Ledkins. “The senior leadership and my assistant coach, Colin Salle, were a huge part of our success. Knowing when I challenged my players during training and games that they were going to step up to the challenge, it made it a really fun team to coach. Coach of the Year is definitely a team award and having great players, great assistant coaches, and great parent support were all key components to our success.”

Four of Ledkin’s players were selected to the All-State teams by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Ben Green was named to the 1st Team Super All-State, made up of all players in the state regardless of class. Adam Green was named Class 7A 1st Team All State, and Austin Ledkins and Levi Smith were both named Class 7A 2nd Team All State.

The Lions were led by a strong senior class. And their successes on the field resulted in a record eight seniors signing college scholarships to continue their soccer career beyond high school, a testament to the strength of the soccer program.

“Having eight senior college soccer signees is amazing,” said Ledkins. “These signees have also had great coaching and training in club soccer to develop them for the college level. These players set a standard of excellence for our program that all of our underclassmen can strive to achieve. Not only did they reach high athletic achievements, but also high academic achievements. I am extremely proud to have been able to coach these outstanding young men.”

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Corpus Christi FC connects on the pitch; 10 nationalities, 1 universal language

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Corpus Christi FC connects on the pitch; 10 nationalities, 1 universal language


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Incoming Penn State women's soccer freshman Marlee Raymond selected to U17 USYNT

Another incoming Penn State women’s soccer freshman Marlee Raymond is representing the stars and stripes this summer. Hailing from Cumming, Georgia, Raymond was selected to the U17 U.S. Youth National Team this summer. Another new Nittany Lion headed for the BIG STAGE🇺🇸⭐️So excited for Marlee Raymond to represent the Stars and Stripes with the U17 […]

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Incoming Penn State women's soccer freshman Marlee Raymond selected to U17 USYNT


Another incoming Penn State women’s soccer freshman Marlee Raymond is representing the stars and stripes this summer.

Hailing from Cumming, Georgia, Raymond was selected to the U17 U.S. Youth National Team this summer.

A defender, Raymond reclassified to join Penn State in 2025. She is one of the seven incoming freshman this season.

Fellow incoming freshman Hannah Jordan earned a call up to the inaugural U.S. Soccer Women’s College ID Camp on Monday.

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2 incoming Penn State soccer freshmen named state Gatorade Player of the Year

A pair of incoming Nittany Lions earned a high honor on Friday.

If you’re interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.



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College Sports

US Soccer Adding a New Committee to Provide Support to College Soccer

US Soccer announced last week that they are launching a committee called the NextGen College Soccer Committee (NCS). Its primary purpose is to integrate the college level more broadly into the US Soccer ecosystem. The NCS will have members from diverse backgrounds, including higher education, sports, business, and philanthropy. Based on the announcement, the committee […]

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US Soccer Adding a New Committee to Provide Support to College Soccer

US Soccer announced last week that they are launching a committee called the NextGen College Soccer Committee (NCS). Its primary purpose is to integrate the college level more broadly into the US Soccer ecosystem. The NCS will have members from diverse backgrounds, including higher education, sports, business, and philanthropy.

Based on the announcement, the committee has two goals to work on. First, they aim to publish a white paper that will include recommendations for men’s and women’s college soccer. The goal is for this paper to be published by the beginning of the 2025 college season.

The NCS’s second goal is engagement. The committee intends to work with the colleges that are interested in the solutions the white paper comes up with. The timeline for implementing this second step is the 2026-27 season.

The committee will include 17 members with Dan Helfrich as the committee chair. Helfrich is a US Soccer Leadership Advisory Group member and a former CEO of Deloitte Consulting LLP.

This announcement preluded the start of a new Women’s College Talent ID camp run by US Soccer, which is currently in its fourth of five days. 

This recent announcement shows US Soccer is interested in investing more time and money into growing the college pathway. This could benefit not only the players, but the entire sport in the US, from coaching, scouting, and on. This could provide a massive benefit to American soccer, as the college soccer space is extensive.

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Addison Halpern (NJ) is the 2025 National Gatorade Player of the Year for girls soccer

Addison Halpern, a forward at Rutgers Preparatory School, is the 2025 National Gatorade Player of the Year for girls’ soccer. The Selection Committee based its judgment on three pillars: athletic excellence, academic achievement, and exemplary character. During her senior year, Halpern scored 44 goals and made 14 assists, leading them to a perfect 23-0 record. […]

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Addison Halpern (NJ) is the 2025 National Gatorade Player of the Year for girls soccer

Addison Halpern, a forward at Rutgers Preparatory School, is the 2025 National Gatorade Player of the Year for girls’ soccer. The Selection Committee based its judgment on three pillars: athletic excellence, academic achievement, and exemplary character.

During her senior year, Halpern scored 44 goals and made 14 assists, leading them to a perfect 23-0 record. What’s fascinating about her haul is that she missed the first six games of the season because he competed for Team USA in the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.

Meanwhile, included in Rutgers Prep’s undefeated run is a 3-0 triumph over DePaul High to capture the New Jersey Non-Public B state championship. She finished her high school girls’ soccer career with 180 goals and 68 assists, numbers that helped her become the 2024 United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year.

In addition to dominating on the pitch, this National Gatorade Player of the Year winner maintained a 3.86 GPA. Beyond soccer and the classroom, this University of Virginia commit also volunteered as a youth soccer coach, an elementary school tutor, a church servant, and a Rise Against Hunger advocate.

Halpern is among the 51 Gatorade Player of the Year winners for girls’ soccer from each state and the District of Columbia. Likewise, she will receive a $1,000 grant and has a chance to give a $10,000 spotlight grant if the committee selects her organization to receive the financial assistance.

List of Gatorade Player of the Year state winners for girls’ soccer 2025

Alabama – Taylor Leib (Midfielder, Briarwood Christian School)

Alaska – Lexi Luff (Forward, South Anchorage High School)

Arizona – Whitney Reinhardt (Midfielder, Notre Dame Preparatory High School)

Arkansas – Sydney Hopper (Midfielder, Bentonville High School)

California – Daya King (Midfielder, Vista De Lago High School)

Colorado – Teagan Myers (Defender, Fossil Ridge High School)

Connecticut – Alexa Pino (Forward, St. Joseph High School)

Delaware – Lily Phillips (Midfielder, Saint Mark’s High School)

District of Columbia – Kailyn Effah (Midfielder, St. John’s College High School)

Florida – Giovanna Waksman (Midfielder/Forward, The Pine School)

Georgia – Bristol Kersh (Defender/Forward, Cherokee Bluff High School)

Hawaii – Xeayna Salanoa (Goalkeeper, Punahou High School)

Idaho – Campbell Wilson (Forward, Rocky Mountain High School)

Illinois – Callie Tumilty (Forward, Naperville Central High School)

Indiana – Meredith Tippner (Forward, Noblesville High School)

Iowa – Abi Roberts (Forward, Linn-Mar High School)

Kansas – Anisten Cabantac (Midfielder, St. Thomas Aquinas High School)

Kentucky – Caitlyn Chase (Forward/Midfielder, Sacred Heart Academy)

Louisiana – Ella Kate Johnston (Forward, Parkview Baptist School)

Maine – Ashley Connolly (Midfielder/Defender, Gorham High School)

Maryland – Sascha Beasley (Defender, Walt Whitman High School)

Massachusetts – Maddie Recupero (Midfielder, Hopkinton High School)

Michigan – Ava Lutke (Forward, Unity Christian High School)

Minnesota – Tenley Senden (Forward, Wayzata High School)

Mississippi – Addie Siders (Defender/Midfielder, Sumrall High School)

Missouri – Maddie DiMaria (Forward/Midfielder, Cor Jesu Academy)

Montana – Maya Bossenbrook (Forward, Bozeman High School)

Nebraska – Sonora DeFini (Forward, Gretna East High School)

Nevada – Olivia Stark (Forward, Faith Lutheran High School)

New Hampshire – Lauren Christy (Midfielder, Brewster Academy)

New Jersey – Addison Halpern (Forward, Rutgers Preparatory School)

New Mexico – Mia Barela (Forward/Midfielder, Las Cruces High School)

New York – Kennedy Ring (Midfielder, Columbia High School)

North Carolina – Sadie Peterson (Forward, Pine Lake Preparatory)

North Dakota – Sarah Helderop (Midfielder, Mandan High School)

Ohio – Tessa Knapp (Forward, Bay High School)

Oklahoma – Rylee McLanahan (Midfielder, Edmond North High School)

Oregon – Sophia Stiles (Defender, Jesuit High School)

Pennsylvania – Kylie Maxwell (Forward, Neshaminy High School)

Rhode Island – Emma Kucal (Forward, Cumberland High School)

South Carolina – Payton Nutzman (Forward/Midfielder, Eastside High School)

South Dakota – Addie Budig (Midfielder/Defender, Harrisburg High School)

Tennessee – Ellett Smith (Midfielder, Houston High School)

Texas – Audrey Bryant (Forward/Midfielder, Ursuline Academy)

Utah – Hope Munson (Defender/Midfielder/Forward, Olympus High School)

Vermont – Holley MacLellan (Forward/Midfielder, Milton High School)

Virginia – Audrey McKeen (Midfielder/Forward, Bishop O’Connell High School)

Washington – Ally Laccinole (Defender, Woodinville High School)

West Virginia – Ariana Borneo (Midfielder/Defender, Morgantown High School)

Wisconsin – Jessica Fernau (Midfielder/Forward, Muskego High School)

Wyoming – Ruby Hoelscher (Midfielder, Jackson Hole High School)

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