Kids' sports teams- a vent

greengirl0909

I am so dismayed with the state of sports in my town.  In recent years we?ve had several independent groups pop up offering traveling teams for about every sport imaginable! Our rec program and the YMCA can hardly get enough kids to play to make teams.  Last night I was talking with some co-workers and one of them said that her 2^nd grade daughter?s team had picked and chosen the team based upon who was good and who had easy to get along with parents.  Then I talked with other parents and they were talking about being denied permission to play on a team.  I mean, seriously don?t kids get some time to learn how to play or play for fun before we starting cutting the less quality kids and making it all about winning?

buddhagouda

It depends on the program. If you're talking a rec league, than yeah, everyone should be able to play. If you are talking about a tournament type team though that is going to be competitive, then I think only the best should be on it.

robinsokj

that is ridiculous and I would let the media have a field day with that.

amykins1283

Are you saying that the travel teams are denying/accepting people based on talent/ability?  If so then that's fine because travel teams are competitive and are out to win. 

If you are saying that the rec leagues are denying children based on talent/ability then I would be angry because rec leagues are the "just for fun" leagues.

robinsokj

If they are basing admittance on talent for a competitive team that's one thing. 

If the discrimination is based on likability of the parents thats effed up.  

greengirl0909

Some of the travel teams are choosing based upon talent/ability.  Some of them are the right group of people getting together, like a clique.  I understand, that's their right to do. But it has become such an issue in my town that our rec/Y teams don't have enough kids to make up teams.  Rec had no football teams last season and the Y had to combine kids at the 4/5/6 grade levels to make enough teams.  there's a big difference between a 4th grader and a 6th grader, you know?!

spring_time

I think she is saying that the problem is there are so many competitive teams now, the rec teams can't field enough players.  It denies the children who want to play for fun the opportunity to just learn a sport and enjoy it.  Children are no longer able to try out several sports to see where their talent and interests like.  They are being pushed strongly into one sport at a very young age in order to compete at the highest level.  

I recently read an article about how this type of competitive and one sport mentality is causing serious injury to children because they are not working all their muscles by playing several sports and outdoor activities.  For example, children are being pushed into baseball to become pitchers and they are throwing out their arms at a really young age.

I am kind of dreading this with DS.  I played every sport under the planet, but wasn't particularly talented at any of them.  I finally found my niche in high school by playing tennis, but it isn't nearly as competitive as it is now.  Private lessons are starting for children at age 7.  I certainly don't intend on paying those prices for classes, but then I am leaving my child at a disadvantage.  I have even heard of private lessons for soccer players...it is a team sport!!!