E M A G G N I V L O THE EV April 2020
Issue 49 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Coaching Newsletter
Go for the REAL WIN What’s Important Now We’ve never been through a pandemic. It is a time of fear and negativity. We may feel helpless. Yes, we are forced to stay home, but let’s find a new way to provide our youth players a chance to play the game and have fun. Let’s focus on the WIN. I believe this can be a time of self-reflection and change. Let’s take a look at how we can change things that have repeatedly been done over the years. Have we created have a difficult environment for kids to play and enjoy sports? We can’t afford to get back to playing soccer and do the
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer
same old things..
Grassroots Soccer
Let’s challenge youth soccer programs to make the following changes:
Manager: JT Dorsey
1) Rebuild and strengthen programs that put the development of the whole child first. Programs that are child centered and aren’t worried about winning, but also discover the value in losing. 2) Recognize programs that make decisions for their membership putting health and safety first. 3) Programs should consistently be based on the growth and development of each child, family, and community. Effective programs create a physically and emotionally safe environment for their kids. They do things that build self-esteem and confidence in youth players. They are concerned about the child off the field and in the classroom. Practices, games and activities are fun. Programs that intentionally teach appropriate social skills. The programs are inclusive and promote the development of all kids; not just the “top players.” They involve the community in a meaningful way and create a space where volunteers are welcome and become pillars in their sustainability. They build a community within the community that players and coaches alike can count on each year. If we want to make change, we need to focus on these elements and use the acronym WIN.
What’s Important Now. It’s time to evolve the game differently.
Let’s work together so that when this pandemic
ends we can create a safer, more productive environment for kids to play soccer. With so many problems that need to be answered, let’s start by finding solutions to the simple ones. WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS?
Inside: Lancaster Inferno
Inside: Teresa Rook Player and Coach