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Excited to share my latest book recommendations. The topic might seem like a left turn to some people. We all wear different hats — mine include book lover, dad, mountain biker—one role I cherish is supporting my kids in their sports. My son is a hockey player, and my daughter is an artistic swimmer. I never grew up in sports and had many doubts about how I could support them. But my love for books led me to explore this topic, and I found some gems that have been very impactful in teaching me how to be an effective sports parent despite my own sporting inabilities. I encourage you to share these links with someone you care about that might be in the same situation I was. Here are a few of my top picks: **Be All In: Raising Kids for Success in Sports and Life** by Christie Rampone and Kristine C. Keane, PsyD This book opened my eyes to the role we play as parents raising kids in sports. It combines street smarts with health professional insight, demonstrating how communication, confidence, and resilience can be built in our children for success. It also made me realize how my actions could derail their success. Key takeaway: listen to your kids and understand their needs from their perspective, not yours. https://amzn.to/4dmNJyd **Mental Toughness for Young Athletes** by Moses and Troy Horne Written by a father and son, this book is meant for young athletes, but you can also pick up the accompanying parent guide. Reading it with my child was insightful and a bonding experience. It uses practical insights and resources to keep young athletes engaged, addressing topics like anxiety and in-game performance. https://amzn.to/4dpOczR Parent Guide https://amzn.to/4dtiB0e **The Tyranny of Talent** by Joe Baker Any sports parent knows the pressure of making the right choices to help their child reach their goals. This book cuts through the noise, based on decades of research, to help you think differently about sport development. It's a deep read but incredibly valuable. https://amzn.to/4gMTzvG Would love to hear your thoughts or any recommendations you might have! #Parenting #SportsParenting #Books #Learning

This article emphasizes the many advantages of youth sports, such as enhanced physical health, mental well-being, academic performance, and social skills. It highlights how participating in sports helps young people develop discipline, teamwork, and leadership abilities, contributing to their overall growth and development. Empowering Holistic Development: The article underscores the comprehensive benefits of youth sports, aligning perfectly with ShareWaves’ mission to provide high-quality sports experiences that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The article’s insights into the benefits of youth sports highlight the importance of inclusive and accessible programs. ShareWaves is dedicated to tackling the systemic issues in youth sports, such as the “pay-for-play” model and “win-at-all-costs” mentality. Our initiatives aim to create a supportive environment where every child can thrive, regardless of socioeconomic background. ShareWaves’ initiatives, like the #GameChanging Grants and #Ready2Play Camps and Clinics, directly address the barriers that prevent under-resourced kids from participating in sports. By eliminating financial barriers and providing high-quality community programs, we ensure that more children can experience the proven benefits of sports participation. Promoting Mental Health and Wellness: The article highlights the positive impact of sports on mental health, which is a core focus of our Movement is the Medicine Podcast. By promoting physical activity as a critical component of mental well-being, we address the adolescent mental health crisis and support the holistic development of young individuals. Join us in our mission to harness the transformative power of sports to build better humans. Support ShareWaves in creating a balanced and inclusive youth sports system that allows every child to thrive on and off the field. Together, we can make a lasting impact on young people's lives.

🌟 Nurturing Your Child’s Love for Youth Sports 🌟 Parents, are you ready to be part of the solution in youth sports? ⚽🏀⚾ Too many kids are leaving recreational sports because of the pressure to win, turning what should be fun into stress. Let’s shift that narrative! read more…  https://lnkd.in/gv7VQ-Rh Why it matters: 👉 Only a small percentage of athletes earn scholarships or go pro, yet we often focus on results over the journey. 👉 Supporting your child’s love for the game, their growth, and their joy in the process can make all the difference. 👉 Youth sports should never feel like a job—it’s called playing for a reason! The impact of burnout: 📉 Kids who practice for 3+ hours continuously are 125% more likely to face sports burnout. 📉 Over 50% of young athletes report feeling pressured to the point of burnout. 📉 Specializing in one sport? 45% quit due to fatigue and frustration. What can parents do? Here are five simple steps to support your child’s journey: 1️⃣ Talk to them: Ask what sports they love and why. Their reasons will guide your support. 2️⃣ Reinforce their "why": Whether they play for fun, friends, or personal growth, validate and celebrate their reasons. 3️⃣ Build skills first: Enroll them in camps or clinics to boost confidence and fundamentals before joining a team. 4️⃣ Encourage variety: Let them try new sports and experiences to stay excited and well-rounded. 5️⃣ Celebrate effort: Focus on their hard work and progress—not just wins or losses. A personal note: "With my kids, helping them fall in love with playing sports, learning to compete, and handling both success and failure has played a vital part in their success as adults." – Aaron Locks, CEO, National Academy of Athletics 🏆 Youth sports are about more than trophies—they're about life lessons. Let’s create a supportive environment where kids learn, grow, and love the game. Share your thoughts or tag a parent who inspires you. What steps do YOU take to support your child’s sports journey? 🗣️👇 #YouthSports #SportsParenting #BurnoutPrevention #GrowthOverResults #PlayForFun #NationalAcademyOfAthletics #EffortOverWins

Get Up and Think Twice! 🏃♂️🤓 Were you aware? Young athletes are not only smarter but also healthier! 📚✨ As parents, we all want the best for our kids: a promising future, enduring friendships, and physical well-being. But did you know that the foundation for all of these may be laid by something as simple as signing your child up for a sports club? 🏅 A ground-breaking study conducted by researchers from the University of St. Gallen and other institutions uncovered some amazing advantages of regular sports participation for children between the ages of three and ten. According to the study, kids who regularly participate in sports clubs achieve superior academic results, including higher grades and fewer behavioral issues. Furthermore, these children lead healthier lives overall and enjoy stronger peer interactions! 🌼 Why does this happen? When kids participate in sports, they’re learning vital life skills beyond just running around and kicking a ball. From resilience to leadership, cooperation to time management, sports provide a structured environment where children can grow emotionally and cognitively. It’s like a natural classroom, where the lessons learned extend far beyond the field of play. 🏀🏐 And the benefits don’t stop there. The study also found that children involved in sports clubs watch less TV and engage in fewer passive activities. Instead, they’re spending more time being active and social, which contributes to better physical and emotional well-being. 💪🧠 So, what can you do as a parent? 🌈 Encourage your child to try out different sports. Whether it’s soccer, gymnastics, swimming, or something else, find an activity they love. 🌈 Enroll them in a sports club where they can participate regularly. This isn’t just about physical activity—it’s about setting them up for success in school and in life. 🌈 Join them in being active! Make physical activity a family affair. Go for a walk, play catch, or take a weekend hike—show them that being active is fun and important. At KidVentures, we’re here to support you every step of the way. We’ve partnered with the best sports clubs and activities to ensure your child gets the most out of their playtime. From flexible scheduling to high-quality programs, we make it easy for you to give your child the gift of sports. Ready to get started? Visit https://kidventures.ca to explore our programs and find the perfect fit for your child. Let’s build a healthier, smarter future—one game at a time! 🌟 #kidventures #brainandbody #sports #smarts

The PLAY4LIFE project has unveiled a comprehensive set of learning materials designed for coaches and sports staff, focusing on an innovative methodology aimed at preventing dropout among young female basketball players. These materials provide practical strategies and tools that aim to improve engagement, retention, and long-term participation in the sport, ensuring that young athletes remain motivated and committed to basketball throughout their youth careers. The newly published learning materials serve as a crucial resource for coaches and sports staff, offering a clear and structured approach to addressing the specific challenges faced by young female athletes. The materials were developed through extensive research and collaboration with experts, building on the success of the PLAY4LIFE initiative’s workshops and best practices shared across three countries—Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia. These resources focus on innovative coaching techniques that take a holistic approach to athlete development. They emphasize mental and emotional well-being, providing coaches with methods to support young athletes both on and off the court. The goal is to help coaches build a sustainable environment where female athletes are not only equipped with basketball skills but also the resilience and confidence to navigate the challenges of competitive sports. The learning materials specifically address the unique challenges faced by young female athletes in basketball. Female players often experience higher dropout rates compared to their male counterparts, due to a range of factors including societal pressures, performance anxiety, and the lack of support structures within sports environments. By providing coaches with the tools to address these issues, the PLAY4LIFE learning materials aim to create an environment that nurtures female athletes, encouraging them to continue pursuing their passion for basketball. These materials also emphasize the importance of creating role models and mentors within the sports community—female athletes who have excelled and can inspire others to keep playing, despite obstacles. By having these positive figures to look up to, young female athletes are more likely to see themselves in those roles, thereby strengthening their commitment to the sport. By equipping coaches and sports staff with innovative strategies and practical tools, the PLAY4LIFE project aims to reduce dropout rates, empower female athletes, and create a sustainable future for women’s basketball at all levels. The long-term benefits of these strategies will be felt by athletes as they continue their sports careers and beyond, making the release of these learning materials a crucial step towards a more inclusive and resilient basketball community. #play4life

**Unlocking the Value of Youth Sports: A Parent's Perspective** As parents, we often invest our time, energy, and resources into our children's sports activities. However, it's crucial to view youth sports through a business lens—especially considering the often limited return on investment (ROI). 🏅 **Understanding ROI in Youth Sports:** While the love for the game and the joy of participation are priceless, the reality is that the financial and emotional investment can be significant. Equipment, travel, coaching fees, and time commitments add up quickly. Evaluating the ROI can help parents make informed decisions about which sports to pursue and how to allocate resources effectively. 📈 **Long-Term Benefits:** Beyond immediate costs, youth sports teach valuable life skills—teamwork, discipline, and resilience. These lessons can pay dividends in personal and professional development, shaping our children into well-rounded individuals. 🤝 **Building a Supportive Community:** Viewing youth sports as a business encourages parents to foster a community of support, networking, and shared resources. Collaborating with other families can lead to shared costs and enriched experiences for our kids. 💡 **Making Informed Choices:** By analyzing the costs and benefits, parents can choose programs that align with their values and goals. This proactive approach not only maximizes their investment but also ensures that their children are engaged in meaningful activities. In conclusion, while the tangible ROI of youth sports may appear small, the broader life lessons and community connections can yield significant long-term benefits. Let’s encourage a thoughtful approach to youth sports—one that balances passion with practicality. #YouthSports #Parenting #Investment #ROI #Community #LifeSkills #Sportsmanship

Why PlayerIntro Exists: PlayerIntro was created to address the confusion and frustrations many parents and young athletes experience navigating youth sports. From finding trusted coaches to understanding pathways to collegiate and professional levels, PlayerIntro simplifies these steps and connects families with verified coaches / experts. Don't believe us check the data: Parent Frustration with Youth Sports: According to a recent study, 67% of parents report feeling frustrated with navigating youth sports due to confusing leagues, inconsistent coaching quality, and unclear paths to college and professional play. Information Gap: Research reveals that over 60% of parents and young athletes feel they lack sufficient information on the sports recruitment and development process, from building skills to gaining exposure. Financial Concerns: Studies also show that nearly 70% of parents are concerned about costs in youth sports, unsure if they’re investing wisely in their child’s future in athletics. Access to Resources: Roughly 55% of families state they struggle to find credible coaches or mentors who can provide clear and actionable feedback for their child’s improvement and future in sports. Time Management and Scheduling: Over 40% of parents find it challenging to manage sports schedules and find trainers or programs that fit their family’s needs.

Children and Sports. According to Oxford Dictionary; a child is defined as “a young human being below the age of puberty or below the legal age of majority”. A child (children) is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty. It may also refer to an unborn human being (Wikipedia) For this purpose, the early childhood age of five (5) is the major concern up to the middle childhood stage and till 18 years old. Every stage is crucial in the life of a child but between birth and age 3, brain development begins and such development can be enhanced by providing healthy food, mental motivation, and emotional care plus affection because this is the stage that children imbibe important physical, emotional and intellectual endowments that takes them through their lifetime. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, Sports is defined as, “a game, competition, or activity needing physical effort and skill that is played or done according to rules, for enjoyment and/or as a job: Football, basketball, and hockey are all team sports. I enjoy winter sports like skiing and skating”. Suffice it to say that children who play sports and games will improve their social skills and self-esteem and learn self-discipline and time management. Moreover, it can be used as a career path and helps children reduce or kill stress and depression. Generally, sports will help children in these ways because; Staying active promotes good health. Exercise helps relieve stress Physical activities improve academic performance. Sports teach important social skills. What is The Best Age To Start Doing Sports? By the age of 6 years old, most children would have developed basic motor skills for simple sports. Nevertheless, they may still lack the hand-to-eye coordination required to perform complex motor skills and may not yet be ready to understand and remember concepts like teamwork and strategies. Follow this page for more… References: 1. Verywell Family: Ages and Stages. Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD. March 2022. https://lnkd.in/d5zDgRqf. 2. Wikipedia: https://lnkd.in/dc4Nqcpq. 3. Nalanda International School: The Importance of Sports and Games in Education https://lnkd.in/dY-XygwK. 4. Healthy Children.org: is your children ready for sports? https://lnkd.in/djmBPQSm.

Give the Game Back to the Kids: The Importance of Fun and Development in Youth Sports In recent years, youth football have become increasingly competitive, intense, and focused on winning at all costs. As a result, the joy and fun of playing football have often been overshadowed by pressure, stress, and unrealistic expectations. It's time to reevaluate the priorities and values of youth sports and give the game back to the kids. The primary goal of youth soccer should be to provide a safe and supportive environment where children can learn, grow, and develop both athletically and personally. Here are some important reasons why we need to prioritize fun, development, and positive experiences in youth sports: Building Confidence: Youth sports should be a place where children can build confidence, self-esteem, and resilience. By providing opportunities for kids to try new skills, make mistakes, and learn from failure, sports can help them develop a strong sense of self-worth and belief in their abilities. Promoting Health and Fitness: Engaging in sports and physical activity from a young age is crucial for promoting lifelong health and fitness. By making sports enjoyable and accessible to all children, we can instill healthy habits and a love for physical activity that will benefit them throughout their lives. Teaching Life Skills: Youth sports provide a valuable opportunity for children to learn important life skills such as teamwork, communication, discipline, and leadership. By emphasizing these skills and values, we can help kids develop into well-rounded individuals both on and off the field. Fostering a Love for the Game: Above all, youth sports should be about fostering a love for the game. Whether it's soccer, basketball, baseball, or any other sport, children should be encouraged to have fun, be creative, and enjoy the experience of playing. When the focus shifts away from winning and towards enjoying the process, kids are more likely to stay engaged and passionate about sports in the long run. So, how can we give the game back to the kids and prioritize fun and development in youth sports? It starts with parents, coaches, and administrators coming together to create a positive and supportive environment for children to thrive in. Here are some key strategies: - Emphasize the importance of sportsmanship, respect, and fair play - Provide equal opportunities for all children to participate and learn - Focus on skill development, growth, and progress over winning - Encourage a positive and inclusive team culture that celebrates effort and improvement - Prioritize the well-being and happiness of the children above all else Dom Gangemi Academy Director PGFC

Youth sports are dying! Youth sports are exploding! So which is it? Actually both 🤔 First, the dying part: according to a report from the Aspen Institute, only 37% of kids ages 6-12 played a team sport on a regular basis, which is down from 45% as recently as 2009. That translates to almost 2 million kids who are not playing team sports compared to just 15 years ago. Now for the explosion: the youth sports market is estimated to be $30B on an annual basis, and growing about 9% a year. We see this trend every day at CoachFirst with ever-increasing demand for more coaching and programs, and with my own boys and how their schedule of team sports drives our family calendar. What do those two trends mean when taken together? More money is being spent on youth sports, and it’s being concentrated on far fewer athletes. That’s because there are two tracks in youth team sports: 1)       The Competitive Track, which is rapidly growing 2)       The Recreational Track, which is withering away And here’s the kicker: we need BOTH tracks to engage kids and turn them into healthy, happy, and contributing members of society. I have coached in a terrific recreational basketball league, the Needham Youth Basketball League (NYBL) for a few years and that’s the right fit for me. I put my more competitive instincts aside and put my team in position to win with consistent teaching, encouragement, and focus on teamwork. Staying calm and positive, and treating players, referees, and opposing coaches with respect regardless of how the game is going can be a powerful example for kids, especially when your inner self is dying for a win in a close game and the temptation to let the competitive beast out is powerful. It’s a different, and sometimes difficult, way to approach coaching, but it’s also extremely rewarding and beneficial for the players. When the least talented kid on the team has a great experience playing basketball, and hits a surprise three that his teammates go wild about, there is nothing better as a recreational coach. I believe in the mission so much that I joined the NYBL board this year, and I look forward to helping it grow enrollment in coming years. Based on recent trends in my town, there is a particular need to draw more girls into the game locally at the youth level. Hopefully more parents share their time and talents with recreational programs, and help build and strengthen great youth team sports programs that complement the competitive programs that are currently thriving. So I encourage you to get involved as a coach, find the right fit for you and your kids in either the Recreational or Competitive Track, and get more of our kids playing team sports.