Enfield Soccer Association News & Announcements
This past Saturday the sun was shining and it was an absolutely perfect Spring day for soccer! Our ESA families agreed as they turned out…
The Enfield Soccer Association would like to thank our newest sponsor JTN Electrical. Their support of our Learn2Play and our other programs. John Nadeau the…
The CDC announced changes at the state and federal levels that the requirement for mask wearing outside will be changing. We are awaiting direction from…
Written by Brandon Capaletti of Cisco Athletic ** Participating in a sport is supposed to be fun. In fact, a recent survey conducted by the American…
Yet according to scholarships.com, only about 7% of youth athletes go on to play a varsity college sport, and less than 2% play at Division 1 schools. With such statistics in mind, what should be important in youth sports? Coaches should teach player development and parents should encourage the same—but in a way that prioritizes character growth.
Coaches Corner
Written by Janis B. Meredith **
2020 is underway, so why not start with a youth-sports reality check. What should really matter in the games that millions of children and teens play each year? Character traits? Good sportsmanship? Leaving all you have on the field? Coaches may feel that winning matters, and parents may feel that college scholarships are key. Yet according to scholarships.com, only about 7% of youth athletes go on to play a varsity college sport, and less than 2% play at Division 1 schools. With such statistics in mind, what should be important in youth sports? Coaches should teach player development and parents should encourage the same—but in a way that prioritizes character growth.
Respect
Youth athletes can learn to play and cooperate to the best of their ability, no matter how they feel about the authority.
Teamwork
Working with others is a quality children will need over and over later in life. Learning how to resolve issues with teammates and coaches and how to work together with others will take them far.
Work Ethic
Hard work is not something that your child should avoid. A good work ethic will get them noticed in the work place and beyond.
Fun
When kids are little, sports are typically kept fun, to encourage future play. But as children age, they learn that fun is also accompanied by hard work. It’s important to show that the two can coexist.
Persistence
Kids who learn it’s OK to quit become adults who give up easily—and of course, that’s not the way to lead a fulfilled life. Help youth athletes find the drive to keep going.
**For more articles from Janis or others, please visit Blogs at TeamSnap.com
