The Problem
Business Driven Structure
Today’s youth sports ecosystem is largely driven by a business-oriented structure, which frequently undermines it’s fundamental goal of fostering proper youth development.
Absence of a Clear Path
As parents, we expect our children’s experiences to be navigable, but as athletes progress to higher levels of competition, the stakes increase. Finding clarity on the best path to follow can be challenging and stressful.
Physical Health Outcomes
The current competitive youth sports structure often pressures athletes to focus on a single sport year-round, leading to both short-and long-term physical health issues.
Mental Health Aftermath
These days we more frequently observe negative mental consequences that have long-lasting effects, extending beyond their active years in sports or activities.
The Solution
Our solution is to reshape the expectations of the youth sports experience, refine what constitutes success, and provide clarity on individual goals. We aim to achieve this by educating parents, and other community members, through targeted initiatives. We will diligently work to empower parents with the knowledge and tools to support their kids athletic journey in a holistic manner.
Concurrently, we will advocate for policies and practices that prioritize the well-being and development of young athletes, fostering environments conducive to growth and fulfillment. By engaging with stakeholders, we seek to challenge existing paradigms and foster a culture that prioritizes the long-term health and success of youth athletes.
The Athletes
We recognize the unique mental and physical differences between boys and girls in youth sports.
Physically, girls often excel in endurance sports earlier due to faster aerobic development. In contrast, boys typically experience later growth spurts, gaining more muscle mass and strength, which can enhance their performance in power-based sports. Additionally, boys and girls face different injury risks, with girls being more prone to ACL injuries and boys to fractures.
Mentally, boys and girls respond differently to competition and stress. Boys may thrive in highly competitive environments, viewing them as challenges to overcome, while girls might be more affected by social dynamics and peer pressure.
By embracing these foundational differences, and framing our messages around it, we hope to safeguard the mental and physical health of the kids playing today by holding up a more nurturing, supportive and inclusive environment for the next generation of athletes.
“I say put mental health first. Because if you don’t then you’re not going to enjoy your sport and you’re not going to succeed as much as you want to.”
Simone Biles - U.S.A. Gymnastics
