Healthy Competition in Sports

Team Sports

The Giants won the Super Bowl! Not something you didn’t already know. Probably not something you didn’t already celebrate. Hey, it’s been about six weeks since their victory, but you may still be celebrating. Maybe you even went downtown for the parade to see the players and be a part of what was clearly a HUGE event for New Yorkers and beyond. All the pre-game excitement, game day festivities and postgame extravaganza got me thinking about team sports and the role they play in our lives.

It doesn’t have to be a championship game to get a crowd filled with excitement, and a team to work together and take pride in their accomplishments.Participation in team sports helps develop physical skills, builds character, teaches discipline, and instills good sportsmanship. With good coaching and guidance, team members try their hardest for the benefit of the team, and work toward a common goal. Team sports are a great way of getting exercise, having fun, making friends and improving self-esteem. Team sports also help us set goals and teach us to deal with difficulties in life. When a game is lost, we learn to move on. We deal with adversity in a positive way in a safe environment. The Institute for the Study of Youth Sports firmly supports the premise that positive developmental experiences do occur in sports when the right conditions exist: the child is ready and open to learning the skill; a positive learning environment is created; and adults surrounding the program intentionally attempt to mentor youth and teach life skills.

At camp, we create a sports environment that is fun, as well as rewarding (win or lose). With so many highly stressful and competitive “win at all costs” sports environments, we try our hardest to create an atmosphere of healthy competition to accomplish our goals. Our experienced sports coaches and teachers are educated in youth development and are positive role models to our campers.

They bring their love of teaching and mentoring children to our camp environment where

healthy competition creates a stress free environment. Our goal is for campers to learn new skills and build character from our sports program as well as coo

perating with one another, working toward a common goal, and showing good sportsmanship - win or lose. Campers follow our lead, and we are responsible for setting a good example out on the field. These good examples will go beyond the game. Teamwork applies to almost every aspect of life and is a character trait that can go from sports to the classroom and the workplace.So whatever team sport you are playing, or thinking of trying…Work Together and Love the Game!

“People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses or the problems of modern society”. Vince Lombardi

“I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion”. Mia Hamm