Youth Fitness- Share Your Passion

Remember the word play? As children we would go out and play till the street lights came on or hop on a bike and ride till the sun went down. Unfortunately, in today's highly structured and fast paced society kids have less emphasis on play. You may be over structured yourself and looking for some extra time to spend with your children.

You probably get a lot out of your multi-sport training and racing. Wouldn't you like to share that with your children? Maybe it is time to get your kids and family more involved.  Start by explaining the sport, the rules, and why you think it would be fun.  Talk to your kids about what they do in their PE classes, and about what they enjoy.  Find out if there might be an interest and perhaps give them a gentle nudge.  Get them signed up for the next 'fun' run.  Teach, encourage and promote their accomplishments. Take some time out of your own training to share it with your kids but avoid calling it "training;" it is fun time with mom or dad.

Youth multi-sport programs are developing around the country and there are ways that you can give back to your sport.

1. Set and example of healthy, active living, good sportsmanship, and a positive attitude. 

2. Promote FUN over competition at an early age (enjoyment of sport; celebration of personal excellence and camaraderie). This is critically important for youth participation. Remove competitive pressures.

3. Support lifelong participation through mulit-sport as a lifestyle (recreational and competitive streams; developmentally appropriate training). It is well known that children of athletic parents become athletes themselves. You may be developing a passion you can share for a lifetime.

4. Teach safety and rules (distance and equipment regulations; national races and sanctioning standards). Safety should always be conditioned first.  Work to make their sport as safe as possible and ensure that your child is not doing too much too soon. 

5. Support skill development. Learning is much more important than winning. Skill development should be right after fun as the main focus for a youth endurance sport program.  Combine the two elements into games.

You don't have to have kids to get involved.  Volunteering with a youth tri team, running club, or program.  Most volunteers feel they get back even more than they give. 

Coach Holly Marzetti