Too many questions? Perhaps. But it’s always struck me as somewhat curious that concerned parents will spend so much time worrying about finding the proper school system, or teacher for their children, and then seemingly become totally apathetic regarding their child’s participation on a youth sports team.
You know what I am talking about. Some parents watch their child’s progress in school on a daily basis, and even if there’s the slightest suggestion that the teacher isn’t totally motivating their child, mom and dad can’t wait to run to the principal and/or tell the school board. But talk to those same parents about youth sports in their town, and it becomes a totally different story. It’s almost as though soccer, hockey, baseball, or basketball practice is just another weekend babysitting session in which the parent can drop the kid off and not be worried about him or her for an hour or so.
As we continue to pursue youth sports, we shall be looking at many situations that will be readily recognizable from your own experience. Ideally, some of the thoughts and suggestions will help you and your family cope with the realities of competitive sports for young people. At the very least, my columns will get you thinking about sports in your community, and whether or not those sports leagues are doing the best they can for your children. I write these columns to allow children of all ages to have the opportunity to fully embrace and enjoy the wonder, challenge, and fun of playing sports.
That’s 30 for this week. Remember, “It’s easier to build a child than mend an adult and an ounce of pluck is worth a ton of luck!” Until next week.
Don Winsor is a former recreation administrator now living in Happy Adventure. He can be reached at (709) 677-2422 (voice/fax), by mail at Box 26, Site 6, Happy Adventure, NL, A0G-1Z0, or by email at thebench@eastlink.ca
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