HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-09-03, Page 8Thousands of children participate in
some sort of organized sport, whether
it is school-related or on an
independent team. However, with the
pressure to succeed put on children so
early, there are many people who
wonder if the benefits of participation
outweigh the negative aspects.
Consider these myths and
revelations:
Myth: My child should play sports -
- and begin early -- because he or she
could eventually earn a college
scholarship.
Fact: According to research by the
National Centre for Educational
Statistics, fewer than one per cent of
the kids participating in organized
sports today will be good enough to
land a college scholarship. There are
very few young athletes who will go
on to be the Wayne Gretzky, Mike
Weir or Catriona Le May Doan of the
future. Putting stock in youth sports
simply for the fame or fortune it may
bring is being short-sighted and
frivolous, say experts.
Myth: Winning is important, and it's
good to teach kids early on to strive
for success.
Fact: Various studies show that 73
per cent of kids quit their childhood
sport by age 13 because it ceases to be
fun. Pressure from coaches and
parents simply doesn't make it
worthwhile for kids to play any
further. Children should be
encouraged to play for the fun of it,
and not for the potential trophies and
medals they could win.
Myth: Youth sports is all for the
benefit of the children.
Fact: Research conducted by the
National Alliance for Youth Sports has
found that one-quarter of adults have
witnessed a physical confrontation
involving coaches, officials or parents
at a youth sports practice or game. If
sports participation were all about the
kids, why would adults find
themselves in such an uproar about
rulings and what's going on in the
field or on the court?
With these clarifications in mind,
parents, coaches and caregivers need
to discover how to make sports fun
again for children and motivate them
in positive ways. Here are some of the
better-known benefits of sports
participation:
* learning to play collectively with a
team
* physical exercise
* problem-solving and forming
strategies
* social interaction
* stress release
* overcoming challenges through
practice/discovering personal
strengths
A child should never be forced to
participate in a sport, but encouraged
if this type of activity seems like the
right fit for him or her. If a child does
decide to participate, motivation
should not come from adults in the
way of undue pressure, belittling or
physical confrontation. Positive
reinforcement does wonders.
Compliment the child when he or she
has done well, but don't punish when
the reverse happens.
If a child is not connecting with a
particular sport, enable him or her to
choose the activity that may be a
better fit. It's only through
experimentation and practice that
some children find the right activity or
team for them --and it may not be the
game their parent played while in
school.
Parents should regularly attend
games and practices to see how
player-coach interaction unfolds.
Physical or verbal altercations should
not be tolerated and do not motivate
players in a positive way.
By making changes to the way
adults view youth sports, there is the
greater likelihood for children to
enjoy themselves for the love of the
game.
SportsPAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009.
Making sports fun again for kids
Making contact
Scott Fries, of Milverton, playing with the Blyth Bantam
team swings for the fence. The team played the final game
of a WOAA championship round in Blyth against Milverton
on Thursday night and won 5-3 to take the title. The team
played Fullarton Monday and are home for an 8 p.m. game
Friday. (Vicky Bremner photo)
The Blyth Bantam softball team
played Aug. 25 in Milverton after
being rained out the previous week.
The final score was 9-4 for Blyth.
Game five of series was in Blyth
last Thursday evening at 7 p.m. The
home team came out with a 5-3
victory to take the WOAA
championship.
The Bantams now face Fullarton.
The first game was away on Monday
night with game two in Blyth Friday
at 8 p.m.
Early action
It was Saturday morning when neighbouring rivals the
Walton Brewers and the Blyth Barons faced off for a game
in the year-end men’s fastball league tournament in Blyth.
Trevor Seip was on the mound for the locals who edged
their opponents 2-1. Ron Strome takes off for third. (Vicky
Bremner photo)
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Blyth Power and
Figure Skating
Registration
The Blyth Skating Club is having registration for
the upcoming season at the Blyth Arena on
Wednesday, September 2
from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
and on Saturday, September 5
from 9:00 - 11:00 am
Questions?? Please contact
Pam Chalmers at 519-523-4766
Saturday, Aug. 22 the Wingham
Golf and Curling Club was host to
a group from Lucknow. Walter
Arnold and family and friends
enjoyed a round of golf and lunch
at the club. Congratulations ‘Perky’
on your 50th anniversary.
Sunday Bernie Bailey’s group
came out to play the Bailey Cup, a
nine-hold scramble. The gals and
guys, many of whom were new
golfers, had a good time and have
already reserved a day for the event
next year.
The Tuesday night ladies had
only a dozen girls out mainly due to
the Wilma Kerr over-50 tournament
held in the afternoon. Fern Wiley
came out the winner with a 48 and
Sylvia Pewtress and Carol Clark
tied for second.
Wednesday was Bull Day at the
club. The day started with a rain
shower that scared away some of
the early tee times but it turned out
to be a beautiful sunny day. The
golfers came from all areas of
southwestern Ontario.
The Thursday night men again
broke another record for golfers for
the second time this month. Sixty-
two took advantage of the great
weather and the group continues to
get bigger and better every week.
The winners were: closest to the
pin, Dan McBurney; longest putt,
Bill Robinson and Tony Barr;
hidden scores, John Dailliboust,
Jack McPherson and Doug
Reinhardt; first 60th golfer, Gautch
Underwood; most honest, Joe
Hoifele and low gross, 38, Terry
Armstrong.
There was a four-way tie for
second-low gross among Don Rae,
Robinson, Dybes and Jay Marston.
The senior men have come down
to the final four of the match play.
Semi-finalists are Clayt Ruppel,
Bob Gavreluk, Doug Neil and
Bruce Skinn.
Friday Brian Skinn arrived at the
clubhouse with an oak TV stand
that he made and donated to the
club. With the help of course
superintendent Bruce Pewtress the
boys put the big screen television
on the stand and it looks great.
The weatherman didn’t co-
operate with the party on the patio
night Friday but 15 local couples
came into the clubhouse and
enjoyed some music and a barbecue
with salad lunch.
The staff are looking forward to
family and social events in the
future.
This past Saturday the club held
its fifth annual lefty-righty tourney
with the lefties winning back the
trophy with a 10-8 win. The left-
handers now hold a 4-1 advantage.
OUT OF BOUNDS NEWS
The Wingham Golf and Curling
Club wish great weather and
success to the Huron Pioneer
Thresher and Hobby Association
show to be held Sept. 11, 12, 13 in
Blyth.
Chip and a Put – By Bruce Skinn
Blyth
Bantams
WOAA
champs