QAS scores purpose in youth sports

Courtesy Photo | Mychael Bland, Defense Contract Management Agency Phoenix quality assurance specialist, with his undefeated flag-football champion Flacons.  

PHOENIX, AZ, UNITED STATES

06.21.2016

Story by Matthew Montgomery 

Defense Contract Management Agency

Since 2007 Bland has been coaching youth sports and helping to foster communication and teamwork among young children. “It started as a way for me to spend quality time with my son, 5 at the time, but grew into something bigger,” said Bland, Defense Contract Management Agency Phoenix quality assurance specialist. “I soon realized I had a passion for helping kids reach their potential.”
Nine years and several football, basketball and soccer teams later, his coaching skills are translating to success on the field. His flag football team, comprised of eight children ages 11-13, went undefeated recently and capped the season off with a championship win. Bland doesn’t measure success in W’s however.
“The real accomplishments are the teamwork, loyalty and dedication these kids learned over the eight-week long season,” said Bland. “Not to mention the lifetime memories they will take with them. “
Bland employs his on-field philosophy to his agency work daily. He said being successful is all about teamwork, dedication, trust and accountability — many of the same principles he uses when dealing with contractors.
“I trust that all parties involved have the same goal, but as a QAS it’s my job to ensure our suppliers are held accountable in producing and delivering quality products,” Bland said. “I also believe that a good team requires good teammates, and I come to work every day with the goal of being a good teammate for my office.”
While teamwork has always been a big part of the Air Force veteran’s ethos, he says coaching sports has reinforced it tremendously. “I’ve been with the agency for more than three years and enjoy and apply this philosophy to my job. The knowledge base required to be a good quality assurance specialist is vast, and I rely heavily on my teammates to keep me up to speed. In turn, I do the same for a few QAs who are new to the organization.
“I’ll continue to coach youth sports long after my son is grown. It’s my way of paying it forward, and it makes me better at what I do professionally,” said Bland.

• Date Taken: 06.21.2016
• Date Posted: 06.22.2016 08:56
• Story ID: 202044
• Location: PHOENIX, AZ, US