Parents Meeting

WELCOME : 

WELCOME Laying A Strong Foundation for tomorrow’s leaders by providing opportunities for learning and growth through sports and fitness. TRAIN to GAIN For Parents

Slide 2: 

Youth Sports & Fitness Staff Introductions Chain of Command Youth Sports Director – Youth Program Director - Christopher Kitt Family Member Program Flight Chief – Kathie DeShasier

Mission Statement : 

Mission Statement We develop, facilitate and oversee programs that foster children’s social, physical, character and leadership development. In nurturing children’s capacity to learn life skills while enjoying team sports, we also strive to deepen children’s commitment to pro-social values such as kindness, helpfulness, personal responsibility, and respect for others – qualities we believe are essential to leading humane and productive lives in society.

PHILOSOPHY : 

PHILOSOPHY - Focus on Participation - Help Youth Develop Physical, Emotional and Social Skills - Placing Winning and Losing In a Healthy Perspective - Defining success as striving for the best that they can do

GOALS : 

GOALS Familiarize youth with the fundamentals Provide opportunity for participation Emphasis on good sportsmanship, fair play, and discipline Instill in youth the values associated with team sports, make new friends and have FUN

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY : 

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Building A Team Allow everyone to play every position Give them a chance to lead warm-ups or run a special play Build Character Set Goals Learn From Mistakes Teach players how to handle pressure

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT : 

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT FUN FIRST!!! FUNDAMENTALS WHATEVER ELSE HAPPENS – HAPPENS!

SPORTSMANSHIP : 

SPORTSMANSHIP Respect your opponent Role model Shake hands with opposing coach Compliment opposing team Show respect toward officials Continuously discuss importance of good sportsmanship Ignore conduct from opposing team – don’t become part of the problem

The Value of Sports : 

The Value of Sports Lessons learned Fundamentals Ethics Abiding by the rules Winning and losing with grace Coping with success and failure Respecting authority figures Always striving to do your best

The Value of SportsResearch - * At-Risk Behaviors * : 

The Value of SportsResearch - * At-Risk Behaviors * Those who participate in sports perform better in school 2:1 for boys and 3:1 for girls 80%: Pregnancy 92%: Drugs 40%: Regular smoking (one sport) 50%: Heavy Smoking Regular and heavy smoking decreases as number of sports increases

The Value of SportsAccording To Youth Research - * Sports Participation * : 

The Value of SportsAccording To Youth Research - * Sports Participation * Boys Have fun Something they’re good at Improve skills Excitement of competition Stay in shape Challenge of competition Get exercise Learn new skills Play as part of a team Higher level of competition Girls Have fun Stay in shape Get exercise Improve skills Something they’re good at Learn new skills Excitement of competition Play as part of a team Make new friends Challenge of competition

The Value of SportsResearch - Girls : 

The Value of SportsResearch - Girls Higher levels of self-esteem Lower levels of depression More positive body image Higher states of psychological well being Learn about teamwork, goal-setting, experience of success, pursuit of excellence, how to deal with failures

Problems and Issuesin Youth Sports : 

Problems and Issuesin Youth Sports “Youth sports have become a hotbed of chaos, violence and mean-spiritedness.” “Physical and emotional abuse of children, rampant cheating, and total disrespect for opponents are but a few of the unacceptable behaviors being tolerated.”

Problems and Issuesin Youth Sports : 

Problems and Issuesin Youth Sports “These disgraceful behaviors have polluted the youth sports landscape, poisoned the fun, distorted child development and left behind countless children with broken hearts, crushed dream and shattered psyches.”

Violence in Youth Sports: Kids Speak Out : 

Violence in Youth Sports: Kids Speak Out Sports Illustrated for Kids, Aug 01 Bad adult behavior children witness: 57% - Too much violence 74% - Out-of-control adults at games 37% - Parents yelling at kids 27% - Parents yelling at coaches/officials 25% - Coaches yelling at officials/kids 4% - Violence by adults

Violence in Youth Sports: Kids Speak Out : 

Violence in Youth Sports: Kids Speak Out Witnessing bad adult behavior, children feel 36% - Embarrassment 25% - Disappointment 23% - Anger 16% - Fear Best way to get parents to behave 48% - Kids should tell their parents to relax 36% - Ban parents if they can’t control themselves 15% - Parents should sign a code of conduct

Kids Speak Out:What they want from sports : 

Kids Speak Out:What they want from sports Interest Teach them to fall in love with the sport Industriousness Develop Skills through playing experiences Identification Youth Development Strategy Independence Need Authority Why they quit? 70 % drop by age 13 Not fun anymore Needs Not Met

CHILD ABUSE IN YOUTH SPORTS : 

CHILD ABUSE IN YOUTH SPORTS Benching Less Skilled Athletes Grabbing Players by their facemasks or equipment Cursing, yelling, or using “put-downs” that demean a child Using excessive physical training techniques to punish/discipline young athletes Name calling Not allowing water or bathroom breaks Throwing Equipment Paying attention to the best players only

Slide 19: 

School versus Sports Is the need to excel emphasized more in one area than another? Do we respond with positive reinforcement that is similar in both areas?

Slide 20: 

ATTITUDE IS CONTAGIOUS

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS : 

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS To the children Unwavering support, including positive reinforcement To the coaches Keep coaches informed about absences (i.e., illness, school, church, or family functions) Be supportive of decisions and understanding To the league Report situations that arise, evaluate coaches To other parents Competition and taunting between parents not acceptable To themselves Enjoy watching your child participate and learn

Guidelines for a Coach – Parent Partnership : 

Guidelines for a Coach – Parent Partnership Don’t put the player in the middle. Give feedback. Don’t give instructions during a game. Provide positive support for their player. Be part of the “home court advantage” for the team. Don’t disparage the other team.

How Parents Can Help : 

How Parents Can Help Provide Transportation (carpooling). Assist with fund-raising efforts. Provide treats for practices/games. Help prepare/inspect facilities before/after use. Make phone calls.

Communication : 

Communication On everyone’s part is the key to success. If your going to be late to practice. If your going to be missing practice. If you have prior commitments. If you have an issue with behavior.

Volunteers & Coaches : 

Volunteers & Coaches Volunteers are: Certified through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association Screened to create an emotionally, physically and sexually safe environment Trained to motivate with praise and specific instruction and to keep games free from put downs, trash talk and profanity Instructed in how to minimize the consequences of injuries until medical help is provided

Slide 26: 

"Volunteers don't get paid...not because they are worthless, but because they are 'priceless'."

HEALTH AND SAFETY : 

HEALTH AND SAFETY Everyone must share responsibility Alcohol, smoking, dipping, chewing tobacco, or such will not be allowed during any Youth sports & Fitness event or activities. Profane or derogatory language will not be tolerated. All players should wear appropriate clothing No shorts or jeans with pockets or belt loops Hand carry sport specific shoes

HEALTH AND SAFETYWhat should your child eat before practices or games : 

HEALTH AND SAFETYWhat should your child eat before practices or games Small amounts and light foods 1 ½ hours prior to practice/game (fruit, pasta) Avoid soft drinks, candy and heavy foods which can make a child feel sluggish Consume a balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates and fats.

PROGRAM SPECIFICS : 

PROGRAM SPECIFICS Age Divisions – Required 2 Year Age Span 5-6 Developmental – No Scores or Standing Kept 7-8 Instructional – No Scores or Standings Kept 9-10 Organization – Team Building – No Scores or Standings Kept 11-12 Skill Enhancement 13-15 Complex Skill Enhancement and Game Strategy Rules – Should be Stepping Stones Physicals Required to register and for continued participation Disciplinary Procedures - in place for Coaches, Youth and Parents

SEASON SPECIFICSGUESTS IN FACILITIES : 

SEASON SPECIFICSGUESTS IN FACILITIES Ensure safekeeping of the facility Children supervised at all times – includes sibling(s) – not running around Theft or damage to property will not be tolerated Cleaned and left the way you found it – remove all trash, clothing and bags

Why Don’t We Have Playoffs or Championships in the Older Divisions? : 

Why Don’t We Have Playoffs or Championships in the Older Divisions? Unsportsmanlike conduct of the parents and coaches Coaches Not Playing Kids Fairly Unacceptable Yelling at the children Derogatory comments from parents in bleachers Overly competitive parents & coaches Yelling at referees/umpires “Win At ALL COST” Attitude Offer more guaranteed games (10 – for ages 11 & up)

Most Commonly Asked Questions : 

Most Commonly Asked Questions

What Equipment Do I Need? : 

What Equipment Do I Need? Football, Baseball, or Soccer Cleats Reduce ankle, knee, leg and lower back injuries Athletic Support/Cup (if applicable – ages 9 & up) Mouth guard

What Equipment Do I Need? : 

What Equipment Do I Need? Cheerleading Shoes Reduce ankle, knee, leg and lower back injuries Hand carried into facilities – not worn outside until after the season Appropriate pants /shorts Non-slippery pants Boot-leg pants and overly baggy pants or those with belt loops and pockets will not be allowed. Reduce accidents (falls, trips, slips)

WHAT DO MY REGISTRATION FEES COVER? : 

WHAT DO MY REGISTRATION FEES COVER? Uniforms Individual Participation Awards NYSCA Coaches Certification Safety Gear Staff Payroll Program Primarily Supported By Parent Fees

Evaluations : 

Evaluations Coaches End of Season Comprehension, Outlook, Affection, Character, Humor, Overall Program Customer Survey

CHALLENGE TO ALL : 

CHALLENGE TO ALL Remember, it’s not about winning – it’s about developing ALL children to their fullest potential. Gifted athletes are going to step up and perform at their highest level – what we want to see is that you are training all of your team to perform at their highest level. You should be challenging your “gifted” players to develop some of his/her weaknesses. Remember, when they reach the high school or college level, these children may not be playing in the position that you put them in now. Children should be well aware of what each position demands and acquainted with all aspects of the game. ALL players should have the opportunity to experience the “ENTIRE” game.

INFORMATION LINE : 

INFORMATION LINE 552-2266

Let’s have a great season! : 

Let’s have a great season! Thank You