i9 Sports’ Post

Why are kids quitting sports? The same reason people are quitting their jobs- they're burnt out, and it's not fun. Ultra competitiveness and playing one sport year-round burns kids out faster than letting them focus on the fun aspects of sports when they're young. Let them learn the sport, make friends, and just enjoy running in circles on a Saturday morning. Having fun is what's going to make them fall in love with sports. Don't get me wrong, winning is fun. I'm the most competitive person I know. But if you only talk about winning and the team is losing because they are all 5 and no one on the team can kick the ball hard enough yet, your kids will feel like they are letting you down and that isn't fun. That's when they start to quit sports for good. So let them have fun, whatever that means to them individually. If they tend to be more competitive, put them in the competitive leagues when they're ready. If they want to try a new sport because their new best friend is playing lacrosse instead of baseball, and you have the means to do it, let them. Trying a new sport at the age of 7 isn't going to make or break their possible future as a collegiate or professional athlete. It would actually benefit them as they would learn to use and strengthen different muscle groups. Also remember, it's ok if they never make it to the elite level! Making it to that level is usually a result of falling in love with a sport in the first place. When you love a sport, you want to play as long as you can. In order to do that you have to continue to grow and improve with that sport. But first, you have to fall in love with it, and in order to do that it has to be fun.

For those of us that are parents and/or youth sports coaches, one of the most important things we can do is help to prepare our kids for the future ahead. Take a look at this great article from Steve Magness on what we can do to build resilience in our kids. https://lnkd.in/g7Zg7RaE

🌟Remembering 9/11: Embracing Unity and Resilience in Youth Sports 🌟 Today, as we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11, let us reflect on the resilience and unity that emerged from that dark day. In the face of adversity, we witnessed the power of coming together as a nation, supporting one another, and rebuilding stronger than ever before. In the youth sports community, we have an incredible opportunity to instill these valuable life lessons in the next generation. Sports teach us the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and unwavering spirit – qualities that were showcased during the aftermath of 9/11. Let us harness the transformative power of youth sports to shape our future leaders. As coaches, parents, and mentors, we can create an environment that fosters empathy, inclusivity, and respect. Let us encourage our young athletes to embrace diversity, to stand up against discrimination, and to support one another wholeheartedly – regardless of background, race, or beliefs. On this day, we remember the heroes who selflessly sacrificed their lives, as well as the countless acts of bravery and unity that followed. Let us honor their memory by continuing to empower our youth through sports, teaching them to be compassionate, resilient, and united in the face of challenges. Please take a moment to share how your youth sports team is promoting unity and resilience in the comments below. At ooweesportsnation.com inspire a generation of future leaders who will carry forward the lessons learned from 9/11. #Remembering911 #UnityinYouthSports #Resilience #Inspiration #FutureLeaders

Reviving Youth Sports: A Solution to the Epidemic of Youth Loneliness ❤️🩹 According to an article by Insider, the decline in youth sports participation is contributing to an epidemic of loneliness among young people. Aspen Institute Sports & Society's Jon Solomon advocates for their "Project Play initiative" with the top strategy being simple but overlooked: "Ask kids what they want from their sports experience." Our research at Ecsell Sports has proven that asking kids what they want from their experience has revealed their top reasons for playing sports. Fun and friendship matter most, far above winning or scholarships. Read the full article here: https://hubs.li/Q027L9mY0 #YouthWellbeing #ProjectPlay #KidsMatter #BusinessInsider #AspenSportsAndSociety #EcsellSports

Striking the Right Balance: How Parental Expectations Affect Youth Sports Youth sports are about more than just winning—it's about building skills, fostering teamwork, and having FUN! But sometimes, the pressure to win can overshadow the joy of the game, especially when it comes from parents. In our latest blog post, we dive into the effects of parental pressure on young athletes. Discover how an obsession with winning can lead to stress, anxiety, and strained parent-child relationships. Let's remember that sports are a fantastic opportunity for kids to learn, grow, and enjoy physical activity. It's not just about the trophy at the end! Read the full articlehttps://lnkd.in/eWhYEnDN and join the conversation about fostering a supportive and balanced sports environment for our young athletes. #YouthSports #Sportsmanship #Parenting #HealthyBalance

A follow up to my 2 earlier posts……….Parents of sports-involved children exhibit unwavering Dedication, investing time, energy, and emotional support. From early morning practices to weekend games, they prioritize their child's athletic journey. Dedicated parents attend matches, cheering enthusiastically, and actively engage in their child's sports community. They sacrifice personal time for training sessions and travel, emphasizing commitment to the child's development. This dedication extends beyond victories, focusing on fostering resilience in the face of challenges. By consistently demonstrating support and encouragement, these parents inspire their children to pursue excellence, instilling the values of perseverance and determination that extend far beyond the realm of sports. After showing Desire and Discipline the next “D” for parents to follow and set an example for their kids is to showcase their own DEDICATION. It has not only to be towards the child’s goal but also towards the goals the parents have sent for their kids in sport.  There are times when finance is a big issue in the sporting life of a child, this is when the parents need to put the kids needs above their own. Easier said than done but this helps get to the next level in their respective sports.  

I love this from Cath Bishop 👏 I would add one additional and important point when it comes to the importance of play in fostering wellbeing, creativity and progress: Children are growing up in a world where as they grow and become adults, seemingly everything is hyper-competitive. From the grades required to get preferred schooling placements, jobs, to the boardroom and many other things... Our job as adults is harness and nurture that creative and playful spirit. Their time for competitiveness will come. Prior to starting Way to Play I had a blog dedicated to uncovering the 'soul of sport' - I care passionately about the benefits sports can have on lives - as it has done mine. We should be finding better ways to better tie the thread between grassroots and elite sport - and this means looking at the way we tell stories, the language we use and the unifying messages we can creatively convey. It is one key area that we are now addressing at Way to Play and we have six modules dedicated to this - they are important. The big takeaway here, as Cath rightly points out is that the media (and us all) should be encouraging play and creating spaces for children of younger ages to self-direct how they play. Sport can provide a structure, but from there, let the kids just play... https://lnkd.in/dHZ6nM5N

Being a sports parent today has its challenges. Check out these 6 steps to help you be more inspiring and empowering! https://lnkd.in/gdPAuQw5

Youth sports has become exponentially more competitive (and expensive) and this does not help our controlling impulses. We feel like our kids need to keep up with their peers by specializing early and joining "club" teams. We may not be the parents screaming on the sidelines, but we still get stressed out watching our kid compete. There are good reasons for all of this -- and good reasons to harness it. The current youth sports environment creates pressure and pressure reduces internal motivation and enjoyment. Read more -- including how I'm sucked right into the youth sports vortex even while I don't like it!

📉 Multiple news sources have begun reporting on the high numbers of kids dropping out of organized sports. 🚫 Loyola Marymount University (CA) just announced that it will not have multiple non-revenue generating sports teams after this year. ⚠️ If this continues, less professional athletes will compete in these sports and kids will have fewer and fewer role models to look up to. 🚨 I don't know about you, but if I didn't have a role model to look up to in any facet of my life... let alone baseball when I was playing... my life would have been a whole lot different - and NOT in a good way. 👏 It's time to start helping student-athletes earn while playing it forward in their communities. Kids need: 1) Someone to look up to 2) Something to do to keep them active and healthy 3) Organized sports (and other activities) to maintain healthy relationships with their peers. #VantageSportsCommunityAllianceprogram #PlayItForward