Team Sports Can Be Positive!
Most of you know (or may not know) that I coach gymnastics a few afternoons a week. I absolutely love working with the girls and it truly keeps me sane! Yesterday my team of 6-11 year olds traveled to a competition and of course, they did wonderful.
More than their performances, I couldn’t help notice the great things that were happening to these girls as they interacted as a team.
One little gymnast came up to me before the meet and told me she brought little baggies of grapes for each of her teammates, and could she hand them out. Of course I said yes! After she gave each teammate a bag of grapes, she brought one to me. On the baggie she had written “Good Luck Grapes” - how cool is that?
Another gymnast told me she had brought a treat for the team and could she hand them out after the competition? Again, I was really amazed at how this group thinks of themselves as a group, not individuals.
It was fun to see them cheering for each other, consoling each other, giggling in line and generally being little girls - who oh by the way, just so happened to be tough as nails, hard working little gymnasts, too!
After the competition, the parents invited my daughter and me to join them for dinner at a local restaurant. About 15 families all converged on RedRobin (who were fantastic in handling us!) and continued the team building. All the girls sat at one table - so they could be silly, talk, and have their Mario Kart DS races (imagine 15 little girls all at one table with Nintendo DS games going - too funny!).
There was no negativity or comparisons - just a lot of positive energy, fun and a true sense of team!
I truly believe that youth sports can be such a great thing for kids - and their families. Especially when everyone involved keeps things in perspective and positive.
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