Sports Esteem

Below is a response we received from the Dalton Georgia Parks and Recreation Department who recently used the Sports Esteem information in their parent orientation program. Please feel free to use the content on this site in your own parent program and please let us know the results.

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The parent orientation classes using the Sports Esteem materials have gone very well. This is a first for the parents in Dalton. Over 500 parents registered on-line and around 400 have gone through the class. Many parents have commented that we need to make the class mandatory for every parent at Dalton Parks and Recreation Department.   

Thanks for all your information,

Mike Miller
Athletic Director
Dalton Parks & Recreation Department
Dalton, Georgia
http://www.dprdsports.com

If only every coach could write this at the end of a youth sports season...

"It never gets old. Not just winning, but working with this group of young men. My experience is augmented by the level of parental participation and excitement. We are truly blessed to be able to be a part of such a great group of boys and parents.

Congratulations to all! Special thanks to Tom and Sam for handling the base coaching (the most integral part of the game) and for Bill for his part-time base coaching (but more for his purchase of actual bases for use at practice!).

I am most proud that all of the boys contributed to each winning effort. It seemed that if ever one part of a player's game was down, he would turn around and perform in other aspects of the game. Just good, balanced effort throughout the entire season.

And what about Cash's two incredible backhanded catches (one in left field and one at third base) in addition to his "controversial" home run in the final game!!!! Lucas's grimacing face as he stared down runners on third. Landon as he snagged throws to get runners out on first. William and his lead-off hitting and snazzy base running. Wills' glove and pitching efforts. Will's final eight innings of shut-out pitching. Patrick's always steady at bats and hustle. Jude's heads-up play and wipe-out slides at home plate. Pearce's numerous throw-outs from right field to first base. Bo's good eye at the plate. Alex's courage to hang in there (especially on Saturday when he wasn't feeling his best!). Dash's willingness to play any position. Jake's goalie-like blocks behind the plate. Jacob's consistent efforts (until he leaves early every year to hone his professional, deep-water fishing skills!) And, oh yes, Joseph's desire to make his "old man" proud (and success at doing so!).

Have I told you all how proud I am of Joseph not only for putting up with me but for playing in the first instance? He wasn't sure he wanted to play this year and I left it up to him. I thank him for playing . . . which allowed me the opportunity to coach . . . which provided me with much happiness and joy. I know you all are equally proud of your boys . . .and that is what I love about this group.

We will miss Dash but I have to believe we sent him off in fine fashion. Thank you all for the coach's gift. While appreciated, it was not necessary. I received the best gift on Saturday by seeing the smiles on those boys' faces after winning the tournament.

And remember . . . "Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming." -- John Wooden

Enjoy your summer."

 

Thanks to Shelby Bush for allow us to republish his wonderful end-of-the-season email.

"To know your enemy, you must become your enemy... Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
Sun Tzu

Unfortunately for some youth coaches, this saying might have more application to team parents than to the weekend's opponent. However, if parents are becoming a problem, this ancient Chinese battle strategy does provide solid advice for coaches seeking a remedy.

Coaches and parents do not have the same goals. Where parents focus on one child, coaches focus on the entire team. Most times, these differing viewpoints yield the same result and parents and coaches see little conflict. Occasionally though, these differing focuses cause two distinct interpretations of events. This is where Sun Tzu's advice comes into play.

For coaches to work with parents, they need to bring them close and to communicate. Coaches not only educate players, they also educate parents. Part of a youth coach's job is to help parents understand ways they can help their child and to help them understand things from a team perspective. Good communication between coaches and parents goes a long away to keep things in perspective and under control. Good communication won't make the viewpoints the same, but will make for a better understanding.

Hockey Canada and General Motors cooperated on the production of two documents to help parents and coaches get the most from youth sports. They are great reads and feature an intro from Bobby Orr...

"Hockey has always been about much more than simply winning or losing. As a young player, my parents never pressured me to play, but rather encouraged me to participate so that I might learn lessons about hard work, dedication and leadership. Of course, first and foremost, the game was always fun, and that is what all children should be able to experience from the moment they first lace up their skates to play a game of hockey."

Sports Esteem has put together three packages of certificates that can be used to recognize players and coaches.

 To download, click the appropriate package below: