Whatever happened to sport being one of the few places a young person could learn positive character traits and life lessons? Have we forgotten that professional sport is entertainment? We have coaches trying to act like the coaches they see on TV, players behaving in the selfish manner that they often see displayed by our professional athletes, and parents behaving at a youth sports event like they see spectators at professional events. Are these the values we want for our youth? I think not.
The real value in sport is teaching the kinds of character lessons that are learned from striving on the court - lessons that bear ultimate fruit years later in a person's profession, values, citizenship responsibilities, and family life.
The percentage of kids who play youth sports and will go on to play professionally is incredibly small. The following percentages are for high school seniors playing their sport who will be drafted by a professional team: Baseball 0.5% (less than 1 in 200), Hockey 0.4% (less that 1 in 250), Football 0.09% (less than 1 in 1,000), Basketball (boys) 0.03% (less than 1 in 3,333), Basketball (girls) 0.02% (less than 1 in 5,000) and the numbers for Volleyball are much lower than this. As bad as these odds are, they overstate the case, because the majority of those drafted never reach the big time. Also, these figures only include players on their high school teams (less than 2% of kids play on their high school team, the rest drop out much earlier).
We tend to think of high profile sports figures like Michael Jordan, Barry Bonds, Mia Hamm, and Lance Armstrong who have long careers and make enough money that they don't have to worry about a non-sports job. But most professional athletes play in the professional ranks for only a year or two. Even those who last for 5 years or more (a very small percentage) must eventually get a "real job" in which their fading athletic skills play a minor role at best.
Many parents encourage their children to try for an athletic scholarship to college. But very few kids will ever play for a college team. Of those who do, only a small percentage receive a scholarship. And of those who are on scholarship, very few get a full ride.
The values, behaviors, and habits that people develop as children tend to stay with them throughout life. Kids who learn to get back up after a disappointment on the court are going to be more likely to do the same when it really matters later in life.
Rules - you don't bend the rules to win a game. Most rules have been developed over time and for a reason.
Opponents - recognition that a worthy opponent is a gift that forces you to play to your highest ability.
Officials - respect the officials even when you disagree.
Teammates - never do anything that would embarrass your team. Once you join a team, you (and your parents) are a representative of that team on and off the court. Your teammates put their trust in you and you can easily violate that trust through inappropriate or irresponsible behavior off the field as well as on it.
Self - self-respect is the bottom line for a high-functioning, mature individual. A person with a strong internal moral compass works hard to avoid doing anything to dishonor the game because it shows disrespect for herself.
This season we will be working with coaches, officials, players and parents to "Honor the Game". Please support us in this effort to make the sport experience one that is fun and teaches the values and lessons that will make them successful in life.
* This information taken from The Double-Goal Coach by Jim Thompson (founder of Positive Coaching Alliance).