Kids in Sport

One thing that has ramped up in the last year(s) is my coaching of hockey.  I took up hockey again at 40 and it's given me a new lease on life, has helped my adjust to moving interstate, and has opened the way to coaching kids.

I'm currently coaching four kids' hockey teams, one at club and the rest at various schools.  My philosophy when it comes to coaching is rather simple - instill in the kids a love of hockey that will stay with them for the rest of their life!  Simple yes, achievable - I'm trying.

The whole 'winning at all costs' mentality is one I'm not focussed on.  I'm not saying winning is not a good thing, but for me when I coach I try and give each of the kids equal time, no matter what their ability, because at the end of the day they are all there to play hockey.  That's not to say I'm not competitive - quite the opposite in fact!  But when coaching kids sport one has to remember they are just kids.  There is no World Cup on the line, no sheep stations to be played for, and at the end of the day I think kids play for more than just winning.

My theory is backed up by this infographic I found, on Kids Sport in the US.  The main reason kids play sport - TO HAVE FUN!  Also quite interesting is that over 70% of kids wouldn't care if any score was kept in the game.  I'm not sure how well that would sit with some parents / supporters on the sideline.

So to all you would be coaches out there, remember at the end of the day our job is to help teach a child how to play a sport, and hopefully instill in them a love for that sport that will stay with them long into their adulthood.

Courtesy of: Broodz