Okay, perhaps my description is a bit over-the-top, but I've been concerned about club sports for a long, long time. I'm worried that we adults are exploiting children for our own needs. We have grade school children playing softball, volleyball, basketball, dance, cheer, and a variety of other activities all year around. Folks, that's INSANE.
I am a registered softball umpire for Iowa State High School, Illinois State High School, and with USA Softball. I have first hand experience EVERY SEASON regarding the damage caused by adults - it's in their eyes.
I share this example often when I am talking club sports. As an umpire, when I work a 10U game at the beginning of the season, the girls' eyes are electric. They are nervous and excited and energetic. And if the coaches and parents are new to the activity, they are also upbeat and positive and full of spirit.
At the same sports complex on the same day at another diamond with the 18U division, it's a complete different atmosphere. These girls have likely played over 100 games of softball since age 10. They have played in many different venues - perhaps have toured their state or region or perhaps have traveled all over the country. They have played in rain, sleet, cold, hot, and everything in between. They have played good teams, bad teams, have won championships, and perhaps lost some games too. And 800-1000 games after their 10th birthday, softball is no longer fun. They would much rather hang out with their friends, go to a movie on a date, or maybe just stay at home and watch Netflix.
Their eyes are clouded over; there is no bounce to their step; vocal energy is forced; any smiles that do occur are courtesy. It's depressing.
I coach a club basketball team. In fact, we had a workout last night. We workout a couple of times a week, we stay local for any events we play, we keep costs down, and most of our time is just letting the players play the game. We currently have three 1-day events scheduled this Spring, and we might schedule on more. We will take a break from our Cagers events during the month of June to allow our players to focus on their school teams, and maybe if their is interest we might play in an event or two in July and/or August. We don't play in the fall or winter months; we don't require individual training sessions; we don't charge the players coaching fees. I don't just speak critical of our society's club team craziness...I work to avoid it.
As a society, I believe we can do better. Parents, you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on specialty coaches. Parents, you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on club team fees and hotel rooms. Parents, you don't need to consume your child's life in sports. LET THEM BE KIDS ONCE IN AWHILE TOO.
My advice is to work with your child to make choices. Talk together to limit the number of school activities and non-school activities. Plan together on your calendar UNWEEKENDS that involve nothing but free time. Tell your club coaches that your child WILL NOT participate in year around workouts, and if that's not okay, find a different club team or start one of your own.
They only get to be children once, and they only get to be your children once.
JBiz
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