#204 Dr Leisha Strachan - Promoting Positive Youth Development

I’m delighted to speak to Dr Leisha Strachan this week. Leisha is a Professor and is serving as Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management at the University of Manitoba. Leisha’s research is focused on positive youth development through sport and she is interested in exploring positive coaching behaviours and parent involvement. Along with Dr Dany MacDonald and Dr Jean Côté, Leisha began Project SCORE, an online resource for coaches and parents to learn about the 4 Cs in sport (competence, confidence, connection, and character) and how the Cs could be incorporated to promote positive youth sport spaces. Leisha is interested in cultural relevancy within the field of positive youth development and has recently completed a SSHRC-funded grant that explored the Cs through the voices of Indigenous youth.  Leisha is a former national team member in the sport of baton twirling, earning 2 bronze medals at the World Championships. She has been coaching in the sport for the past 26 years and is a judge and choreographer in baton, working with athletes across Canada, Scotland, England, and Australia.