What does it mean? How do you define Athlete Centered? How would things be different if this was the primary influence on all of the decisions we make.
How would associations be different? Would their structure change? Would they have the same amount of teams? How would they proceed with team selections? When would team selections take place?
How would leagues be different? Would the season start at a different time? How many games per season would each team play? How many age divisions would be part of the league? Are adult leagues and youth leagues run the same way?
What about tournaments? Should tournaments taking place in November have the same structure/the same focus as those taking place in March? What would an athlete development centered tournament look like?
What about the decisions we make during all those ‘meetings’. Board meetings, association meeting, league meetings, tribunals, player releases, appeals… and the list goes on. I am positive that most of these meetings could be shortened by at least half the time (and discussion and disagreements lessened) if we ALWAYS asked the question what is in the best interest of the athlete. The decision would be clear cut 100% of the time.
Practice plans, game strategies and game line ups would be significantly different if they were truly athlete centered. If the coaches’ desire to win (especially during those petite games taking place on a Tuesday night in November) is put aside, and the athlete development is put on the forefront we could see significant changes not only in the structure of the way we do things but also in the improvement of our athletes’ skills.
When the focus is on the “W”, most of the time adults get caught up in the hype, the glamour and the pressure to win. That being said, athletes are the ones who lose out on the benefits of sport when this occurs. For example, ice allocation within a team becomes unequal, the plays revolve around the ‘Stronger’ players and those not having yet developed /caught up to the rest of the team are set aside. How can we expect these players to improve their skill and enjoy the sport if they don’t get to participate as much? Knowing that we currently play more games than we spend time practicing, when are these athletes suppose to learn?
Lets truly ask ourselves “What is in the best interest of the athlete?”
If you are unsure of the answer, rather than assume that they would want the same things we want, take a moment and ask them. You might be surprised by what you get in response.
Kids play the sport because they love it. They love it some much that it becomes a part of their lives. Let’s make sure they enjoy it to the fullest.
Our sport. Our Passion.
-FL
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