Leaving The Field With

Great Memories

To The Editor:

This will be the first fall in 15 years when we will not have a child paying soccer on a Newtown field. The game of soccer has been a lot of fun for our family, and we have many wonderful memories. Our daughters have learned about teamwork, commitment, physical and mental endurance, and they have made many good friends. We are grateful to the many volunteers who have invested so much of their time so that kids have the opportunity to play sports.

We have also learned from mistakes that we, as parents, have made over the past 15 years. This is what we have learned:

1. Soccer is not the only sport in town.

2. Not every Park and Rec team’s most valuable player will play varsity soccer or have a shot at a college scholarship.

3. Nine- and 10-year-olds are too young to specialize in one sport. Playing only one sport all year round results in physical and emotional burnout.

4. Repetitive motion such as kicking or throwing a ball can be harmful to developing bodies and often results in chronic injury. Kids need down time and “off seasons” and should not play with an injury.

5. Coaches are people who deserve respect, but like all people they are capable of making mistakes. Coaches must have limited influence over their young players and there should be some form of accountability.

6. A coach should never lose his or her temper, swear, embarrass a player, or make a player cry in front of the rest of the team.

7. Coaches, parents, and players should make every effort to unite a team, not divide it.

8. Commitment to a team is important but not the most important thing in life. Players should not miss church, family events, school work, sleepovers, or school dances because of a sport. These are activities that form well adjusted students and adults.

9. A child’s value is not in his or her athletic ability. Coaches and parents need to remember that youth sports programs are about building better kids, not just about better athletes.

10. Keep your perspective. It is too easy to get caught up in an activity, no matter how fun it is or how much our kids seem to enjoy it. Keep sports healthy, safe, and fun.

We wish all of the Newtown teams successful seasons and hope that each team member will leave the field with great memories.

Sincerely,

Jennifer and Garry Ober

8 Westwood Terrace, Newtown                                 August 21, 2006