By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer

BRUNSWICK – One of the first items on the agenda was introductions.

Though it was the third training session since last year for the 12 Sports Done Right pilot sites, the turnover among leadership teams over the summer required a get-acquainted session Thursday at Bowdoin College.

“It is difficult because the teams once again have to regroup and get to know one another,” said Karen Brown, director for the Maine Center for Sport and Coaching. “It’s almost like starting over. The turnover might slow down the process, however, we’re fortunate enough to welcome people who are supportive of Sports Done Right. It’s a matter of getting things up to speed with the process.”

Out of 12 pilot sites, changes have occurred on eight leadership teams.

Poland is one of those sites, with Don King replacing Susan Robbins as the new co-curricular director.

“It hasn’t affected things,” said King. “When I first read the Sports Done Right document and talked about it as a philosophy, I don’t feel that it’s anything different than what I began learning 15 years ago when I started coaching. From that standpoint, and coming from Lewiston, I was very comfortable with the document. Everything I’ve seen from our coaches is supportive for Sports Done Right. So I don’t think we’ll miss a beat in that regard.”

J. Duke Albanese, the co-director of SDR, says the report itself is the driving force, not solely the people behind it.

“It makes for more of a case for Sports Done Right because this is a directive and guideline for when people do come and go,” he said.

Thursday’s session was a chance to refocus, re-evaluate and begin the game plan for the coming year. Two of the major goals for the pilot sites are to approve a compact that would be signed by various participants in the athletic programs and develop policy to present to school boards that intend to adopt the principals.

In the meantime, Brown hopes the schools continue to engage the community and reach out to groups that haven’t already been addressed in forums held thus far.

On the heels of its successful Leadership Academy last week, Lewiston-Auburn hope to get feedback from students who participated. They also hope to continue conversation with the local recreation departments while planning a forum for parents and the community in the spring.

“We’re laying the foundation and trying to sell it to the different groups,” said Paul Amnott, Lewiston’s vice principal. “The word is out there. People have heard about it. The more the word gets out. The more people can hear about it – positive or negative.

“Some people aren’t going to believe in some of the things that are there. Those are the people we have to speak to and explain what the program is all about and what we are trying to accomplish.”

Kings says he wants to saturate the community with the philosophy of SDR. One means of doing that is a leadership activity similar to what Lewiston-Auburn held.

Jim Hamilton, the district director of athletics and activities in the Mapleton Public Schools in Colorado attended Thursday’s session. He heard about SDR in the spring and wanted to learn more about the work being done in Maine. He says people in Colorado are waiting anxiously for him to return next week with full details on the reform of athletics in Maine.

“They want to know exactly what’s going on,” Hamilton told the pilot sites. “Don’t take your work lightly because no one else is.”