22 relevant results for "youth sports culture"
Looking beyond wins, rankings, facilities, and promises to find the right developmental environment.
Todd Merkow sits down with Jonathan Carone — founder and host of Healthy Sports Parents, former youth and competitive athlete, youth sports coach, and sports parent. Jonathan describes himself as the epitome of a marginal athlete: good enough to make all-stars in rec league, never quite good enough to stick on a school team, and completely fine with that. He played rec basketball through eighth gr
Todd Merkow sits down with Christian Lavers — founder and president of the ECNL (Elite Clubs National League), former Director of Coaching and Methodology at FC Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin finance and soccer alumnus, holder of both an MBA and a law degree, and father of four young children ages four through eight. The ECNL has grown from 40 clubs and roughly 2,000 players at its founding in
Todd Merkow sits down with Crystalrae States — founder and owner of Boilermaker Softball Club in Pennsylvania, former Division II catcher and head coach, master's-level exercise and sport science professional, and mother of three young kids — for a wide-ranging conversation about what it actually looks like to build a female-first youth sports organization from scratch, why development and winning
David Murray never set out to become a soccer dad. Growing up, sports weren't central to his family. He discovered them largely on his own, eventually becoming an enthusiastic fan and recreational athlete. So when his daughter Scout arrived—coordinated, competitive and eager to play—David and his wife, Christy, introduced her to sports without a master plan. Soccer simply became the one she love
Dr. Tiana Woolridge grew up watching her father, former NBA player Orlando Woolridge, compete at the highest level of professional basketball. That upbringing gave her an early, intimate understanding of what elite sport demands—and what it can cost. She went on to become a multi-sport athlete herself, eventually earning a Division I volleyball scholarship to Princeton University. After her play
Youth sports can feel like it is always asking families to do more, earlier. This question invites parents to pause and consider what children may need most: room to play, grow, connect, and keep perspective. A healthier sports experience does not reject commitment. It makes space for development, rest, relationships, and a child’s own interest alongside it. Parents can help by remembering that a long sports journey is built one season, one conversation, and one happy moment at a time.
As sports becomes more structured, it can be easy to lose sight of the freedom that drew children to play in the first place. Playing like you’re 10 is an invitation to remember curiosity, joy, and the simple pleasure of moving with friends. It does not mean children cannot work hard or care deeply. Parents can protect that spirit by leaving room for play and keeping the larger journey in perspective.
From fear of retaliation to win-at-all-costs culture to pressure to specialize early — Steve Borelli outlines eight warning signs that a youth sports program has lost sight of what it's supposed to be for.
August 3, 2025
