Organization Executive – Page 9

How to Coach the Alpha’s

Posted July 5, 2019January 27, 2022 Glen MulcahyPosted in Athlete, Coach, Early Sport Specialization, Organization Executive, Parents

We previously posted “How to Coach Generation Z” based on our experience coaching kids born as of 1995 to 2009 (post-Millenials Gen Y born as of 1984) and gone are the days where a generation was 30+ years, now they are 15 due largely to the exponential growth of the Digital Era.

Below is a great infographic produced by McGrindle in Australia that compares Gen Z to the next Gen Alpha’s (will next gen be the Bumble B’s?)

As I highlighted about Gen Z, some of their key differences from the Millenials is they grew up completely in the digital era starting with the introduction of Google in 1997 and the Alpha’s generation born entirely in the 21^st century with life expectancy in the 22^nd century.

So Who are the Alpha’s ?

The year of Gen A, are ones born as of 2010 to 2025, which coincidentally was year that the iPad (and other tablets since) were introduced and became babysitters of the iGeneration, like Baby Boomers kids who watched Disney VHS Tapes (anyone remember a VHS player?).

It is also the year that Instagram was introduced, Gen Z and now Gen Alpha’s preferred medium for social media networking vs Millenial and Baby Boomers Facebook preference so if you are coaching and using social media for team updates, time to come up to speed with Instagram.

Parents of Gen A are the infamous Millenials that Simon Sinek and many others including yours truly feel we as adults let down that led to their “sense of entitlement”, participation trophies, and dopamine fixation with screens (smartphones, tablets, video games, computer screens)

Having grown up on iPads, accessing Google and Youtube with vigor, they have the ability to absorb information at record paces even beyond their Gen Z counterparts.

What they are lacking, however, due to increase screen time and parents reliance on same (even when they are at dinner by themselves I see couples pulling out their phones only to “chat” with their online counterparts than the very person they are sitting across or beside) are basic social skills prior generations had.

As they spend much more time one on one playing games on their phones, tablets as their “babysitters” vs. stay at home Moms to feed the neighborhood kids after playing outside for hours on end (can’t afford to do so) or being at daycare with others they also have been deprived of unsupervised Free Play.

Unsupervised activity outside where they previously developed the core motor skills we all took for granted, running, biking, swimming, throwing, catching, falling, getting up, jumping, climbing and so on. It amazes me how often I talk to coaches of the Gen A’s from 5-9 years of age who share how few of them can do all the basic motor skills, but worse yet, how they struggle to overcome adversity, lack problem solving, creativity and ability to make decisions with direct instruction.

Why?

Because they have not played for the sake of playing, all of their activities are structured and their former active play time we had as kids has been replaced by inactive screen time on average 7.5 hours a day.

Here are some things that you need to know about the Alpha’s so that you can connect with and coach/teach them better:

#1 – They are the most diverse cultural generation EVER in North America

As of 2010 census bureau and Stats Can surveys, as a result of aging populations, the growth to both USA and Canada has been via immigration from across the world. This in itself is leading to challenges with verbal communication if the alpha’s are still speaking their native language at home and English is a second language so more than evet coaches and teachers must rely on non-verbal communication (which represents over 80% regardless of the words coming out of your mouths)

#2 – They are even more digitally literate then they Gen Z predecessors

“Generation Alpha is part of an unintentional global experiment where screens are placed in front of them from the youngest age as pacifiers, entertainers and educational aids.”

Mark McCrindle – Australian Futurist

In my day, pacifiers were call “susses” and they were only given to kids who were going thru really bad teething and a trick used by many parents was to dip the suss in whiskey to ease the pain for babies and permit them and their parents to sleep.

In the case of Gen Z, as a baby boomer parents of two Gen Z “kids”, my wife and I avoided giving either of my susses as I knew how dependent some kids would be on them and remember seeing some kids with them a 5-7 years of age when I started coaching hockey and softball. I also avoided giving both any electronic devices until they were teens, including their first cell phones at 15 years of age and even now we do not permit any electronics at the dinner table for face to face conversations as well as curfews for use and total time.

Did we face scrutiny from other parents as a result?

Yes.

Do you know who also raised their kids tech-free?

The two whose livelihoods and companies they created dominated the digital era, Bill Gates (Microsoft) and Steve Jobs (Apple)

Hmmm ….. both when interviewed stated they limited to ensure that their kids used technology in moderation so perhaps the Millenial parents now could do the same?

#3 – Their parents will be the oldest and most educated of ANY generation

On average mothers will become mothers for their first in their early 30’s (vs. late 20’s for the Baby Boomers) and first-time fathers a few years older into their mid 30’s

What this means for coaches, many of which will be parents starting out coaching their 5-9-year-old kids in various organized sports that have been adapted for age-appropriate programming is coaches will need to understand the importance of engaging parents more than ever. The parents will also EXPECT the reasoning for seasonal planning to be supported by the science, not old school coaching practices this is the way we have always done it.

They also will seek measurement tools to prove that their kids have DEVELOPED, not rely strictly on results on the scoreboard to ensure that your seasonal planning incorporated baseline, mid and end of season testing.

This includes communicating what is Physical Literacy, Fundamental Movement Skills, the various stages of the development pathways so the Millennial parents understand the reasons for the madness so to speak why we no longer play full ice or full field games, incorporate small area games and skills stations in practices and competition is pushed to later age groups.

This is why coaches and board members of all sports must implement parental support and engagement vs. the current us vs. them or dealing with parents.

#4 – The Alpha’s are the age group that literally coincide with the introduction of LTAD models by the majority of National Sports or National Governing Bodies as of 2010

These have been identified by various LTAD adaptations (as Sport for Life has recently released v. 3.0 and NGB’s have their own variations like Hockey Canada’s LTPD, USA Hockey and many other US NGB’s AGM) as Active Start (0-4 yrs old) and Fundamentals (5-8 yrs. old). The emphasis for these age groups is focusing on Physical literacy and Fundamental Movement skills.

Although LTAD models have been around now for a couple of decades, for whatever reason there are various versions LTAD, LTPD, LTAD, ADM and updates with the latest version now being introduced by Sport for Life called “Long Term Developing in Sport and Physical Activity 3.0” The reason they omitted athlete for v. 3.0 is they did not want it to be a reference only for athletes, but to promote physical literacy for all people to be active for life BUT there are still sports orgs and grassroots coaching catching up to the concept of 1.0. If Nike changed their swoosh every few years do you think they would have the same powerful brand and consistent messaging they do today? Just my two bits.

#5 – Like their Gen Z counterparts, they have the attention of a flea (less than 8 seconds which is the attention of a goldfish)

What this means – Cut to the Chase QUICKLY, avoid board time at all costs with Initiation (5-6), and Novice (8-9 yr) age groups, keep your instructions simple and better yet DON’T coach, let them figure it out by providing general guidance for disguised drills

Many national sports orgs now have “an APP for that”, video, audio, drills you can share via email, text or show directly on phones, tablets or better yet, dongle right to TV’s. Embrace the technology that the Alpha’s know very well to help you coach and connect with them.

Below are just a few examples how National Sports Organizations have adapted their coaching certification programs to guide coaches how to coach of Generation Alpha to coincide with their version of LTAD programs they have recently or are going thru revisions on since 2010:

Baseball Canada Rally Cap Program – Initiation to Baseball (first phase of LTPD)

The main reason kids were quitting T-Ball or early years of baseball (which I did coach) was the kids did not have fun, largely in part to the lack of movement or engagement, standing in lines to take their turn to hit in practices, also due to fact the kids did not have the core skills needed to throw, catch, run, slide, hit.

The focus of the program is to help kids understand the fundamentals of the game while having FUN vs. the old t-Ball program. Check out the great video Baseball Canada made of a Rally Cap Session in one my many stops growing up a kid in the outskirts of Montreal, Lasalle.

5 More touches
15X more hits
5 More Steps
More Dynamic
More Movement
More engagement
3X more positions played

The Best Part – Kids want to come back after each session as they had FUN.

USA Hockey – ADM Model and Hockey Canada LTPD (Long Term Player Development)

Both now have incorporated that we highlighted in Cross Ice Hockey Benefits (smaller area of ice surface leading to similar results as the Rally Cap program for more puck touches, contact confidence, shots, passes, saves etc.)

Next Season, both USA Hockey and Hockey Canada will be rolling out revamped development programs for the Atom age groups (9-10 years old) which coincidentally coincides with the first Gen Alpha’s entering those pathways who were born in 2010.

Both National Organizations have introduced Digital APPs to help coaches to better connect with the iGeneration of kids they are now coaching also

Soccer Canada LTPD

Soccer Canada now has mandatory age-appropriate coaching certification for all age groups, including the Alpha’s with their first two of four community stream clinics (rec level) and incremental licensing for competitive levels

Active Start – U4-U6
Fundamentals – U6-9 (boys), U6-8 (girls)
Learn to Train – U9-12 (boys) and U8-11 (girls)
Soccer For Life – 13+

As John Herdman, Head Coach of Canada’s Men’s National Soccer Team, shares in the LTPD Grassroots highlight video by Canada Soccer, the principals are there, that 5 to 12, is to FALL IN LOVE WITH THE GAME.

Many other sports organizations are implementing similar models so they can ensure that their coaches have the tools to coach the next generation of Alpha’s so they have fun and love the game more at the end of the season than they did at the beginning.

BONUS – Download a FREE printable PDF of this blog HERE

When the NHL dream comes to fruition

Posted June 24, 2019January 27, 2022 Glen MulcahyPosted in Athlete, Coach, Early Sport Specialization, Organization Executive, Parents

BONUS – Download this Blog in PDF Format HERE

Having been a fan of the NHL since I literally came out of the womb, and for the First 3^rd of my life growing up in various suburbs of Montreal, QC and every other city thereafter having a hockey rink it became a dream of mine like any other kid growing up to be like my idol and play in the NHL.

We dreamt of scoring that game-winning goal in double OT to hoist the Cup or making the save to keep the game or series alive, making that blocked shot to prevent the game winning goal, making that pass to set it up, making that big hit to get momentum and the list goes on.

Most of those dreams as was shared in the recent NHL draft that I was fortunate to receive a last minute ticket to attend for the first time, when player videos were played on Rogers Arena big screen of the time the kids being drafted in the first round spent on their backyard rinks, outdoor rinks, ponds or mini- stick competitions in their basements as I did as a kid.

In the case of this year’s NHL draft, another of the Hughes brothers was drafted in the first round to follow his older brother Quinn who was selected as the 7^th overall pick in the first round by our home city Vancouver Canucks.

This time, it was Jack, who was pegged for most of this season to be picked 1^st overall and the New Jersey Devils, announced by one of the greatest goalies of all time and hall of famer Martin Brodeur.

Back to back years where brothers and parents hugged in the stands where all the players sat with their families waiting for their names to be called by one of the 31 teams with all of their senior management, coaches and other personnel amassed on the floor of Rogers Arena

Although two of the three Hughes brothers drafted in to the NHL thus far (the next projected to come to the NHL is Luke), participated in the US NTDP, until that point they experienced playing on outdoor rinks (the epitome of free play) and their organized minor hockey in Toronto, Canada as their dad worked with the Leaf’s and other Hockey organizations.

The very same coaches that I have worked with facilitating Hockey Canada NCCP Clinics for BC Hockey but their Ontario counterparts are the ones that were instrumental in developing Quinn’s and Jacks passion for the game and initial development of their core skills.

Like the other Canadian players who were drafted, Quinn and Jack had very similar experience playing mini stick, on outdoor rinks or ponds, minor hockey in the GTHL then their junior path was US NTDP vs. Junior A or Major Junior

Listen to the podcast below to get more insight from the US NTDP U18 head coach who shares insight on the various players before they were selected in this year’s draft (including Montreal’s pick Cole Caulfield who they stole at 15)

The second pick by the New York Rangers, as suspected, was for Kappo Kakko, the Finnish phenom who played on the Finnish U18, World Junior and World Championship Gold Medal teams this past season.

Similar to 2016 when Auston Matthews (USA) was the #1 pick by Toronto, then Patrick Laine (Finland) the 2^nd overall pick by the New York Rangers so game on, as both teams are in the same division, we will see these two young players playing each other for years to come.

What was different about this draft, however, was the number of other US born players that were selected in the first round, 8 from National Development Team (7 in the first 15 picks), three others were born in the USA that was also chosen the first round, 5 others in additional rounds for a total of 13 (62% of the players from the NTDP U18 team)

Compare that to Canadian players, #3 – Kirby Dach – WHL, #4 – Bowen Byram (WHL) and 11 others for a total of 13

Others chosen not from the NTDP or Canadian (the exception being Thomas Harly with dual citizenship

1 other from the USA – USHL

1 – Dual Citizenship (Canada/USA)

2 more from Finland

4 from Sweden

1 from Russia – think back in the 60-70-80’s when the Red Army Dominated Internationally

1 from Germany

When I talked to Ken Martel for our online summer event, he shared that this year’s U18 US NDTP was a special group of players and they did anticipate several to be drafted in the first round, I think he and rest of USA hockey staff are sitting back and doing the same thing I did…. especially once all rounds completed, 17 were drafted.

WOW with a sense of pride like many of the parents who did the same when their son’s names were called.

So what makes the US National Team Development Program unique and lead to so many players being drafted in the first round from ONE team?

#1 – With the exception of Jack who played all his minor hockey in Canada, this year’s group are all players that went thru the US American Development Model (ADM) which adheres to age-appropriate training, small area games, and cross-ice hockey for the earlier age groups (from 5-8 years of age), endorsing multi-sport participation and FUN.

The ADM was implemented by USA Hockey in 2009 when all of the players from this year’s draft class would have been 7 years old.

#2 – Coaching certification – they all benefited from coaching certification programs in either Canada or the USA.

All of Quinn’s and Jacks Minor Hockey Coaches would have been certified thru the NCCP Hockey Canada program and all the other US players benefited from one of the top coaching certification programs in the USA to coincide with the roll-out of their ADM model in 2009. The majority of other sports in the USA have less developed or no coaching certification programs at all as they don’t have a centralized coaching certification program as we do in Canada.

#3 – Unlike all the Canadian and International players that come to Canada to play in major junior or Junior leagues playing on multiple teams, the U18 and U16 US NDTP are national teams that train and play in all tournaments and stay together as a group annually so they develop chemistry, competitive spirit vs. Canada’s “all-star” teams that are formed a few weeks prior to participating in international events.

Did Quinn and Jack get the best of both worlds then? Playing minor hockey in Canada than being selected to the US National Development program where they moved to Plymouth, billeted, went to school and trained with their teams?

The closest equivalent in Canada would be the explosion of academies where kids play on U15, U16 or U18 teams, go to schools together, the billet in same neighborhoods etc.

In BC/Alberta alone, there are 14 academies as members of the CSSHL (Canadian School Sport Hockey League) now with bantam prep, bantam varsity, U16, U18 boys and now girls teams with an annual bill to parents anywhere from $15-40K

A few other things jumped out for me when I was watching the draft in person that you don’t get a true feel for when watching on TV;

# 1 – When each player was interviewed and aired on the big screen to fill the 3 minute time limit that teams have to make their pick, literally EVERY player said that the experience was surreal, it had not sunk in yet, that their dream of playing in the NHL was getting closer and many shared that they wanted to make an impact and help their teams.

Translation – they are Gen Z, and regardless if it is sport, business, school, having mentored many students over the years who work with us as interns, literally every one answers the question, where do you see yourself in 5 Years?

Answer – I want to make a difference and contribute.

#2 – In those interviews, they also would thank their parents, friends, coaches and others who helped them get to this special moment that showed how much it takes a village to raise a child.

At about the ½ way point of the draft (after the Habs picked), I went to get a snack and while walking in the concourse came across a group of those from the village, several Alex Newhook’s (Colorado) friends who flew in from his home town in St. Johns Newfoundland, wearing his various jerseys were screaming at the top of their lungs in celebration.

Another was a group of Moncton WHL Wildcats teammates sitting adjacent to us who also traveled across the country from Moncton, Nova Scotia who jumped from their seats when their fellow teammate Jakob Pelletiers named was called and drafted to Calgary.

Many of the other players shared how many friends and family were there and what the whole experience reminded me of was high school graduation, as each player went up to receive his jersey ( graduation certificate), family and friends sitting in the stands would celebrate.

It was similar to when I attended both of my kids (now adults) high school and university graduation ceremonies and all I could think about was how proud I was of both of them, similar to that of all the parents would be of these potential prospect NHL players.

For a fleeting moment I thought to myself it would have been great to have been one of those parents to have seen all of my sons hard work pay off over the years to be drafted to either the WHL or the NHL, but then I reminded myself he learned a ton, had fun (for the most part) and he is now playing adult rec (AKA beer league) and loving the game more than he did in the crazy days (when winning at costs prevailed for all kids to contribute but that is another story in itself).

The other thing I thought about was all those players I coached (hundreds over the years), only a handful have gone on to play junior, one is finishing his tenure playing major junior whom I thought potentially would be drafted to the NHL and would have been great to see him go up on that stage with others but it was a reality check just how hard it is to make it just to the NHL draft, let alone play.

Then as the draft finished up we walked to a local restaurant to have dinner and truly appreciated the moment when Alex Newhook and his family and friends walked up the restaurant we were at on the outside deck, we all stood up to give him a standing ovation and then quieted down when he approached the hostess and asked if it would be possible to get a table.

Two of the tables on the deck as did we stood up (we were heading out) offered ours so a teenager could celebrate such a special moment with his family as I did with my kids when they hit such special milestones.

I then headed to my car, my cohort headed to his hotel as was attending day 2 of the draft the next day.

Although such a small % of kids that play hockey will reach this milestone, and even if drafted, may or may not even play or have long careers in the NHL my friend shared with the reason why he loves going to the drafts is that is the time we as coaches can see when kids realize their dreams they had as toddlers, as Jack Hughes did and all those other first overall picks before him.

I am looking forward to seeing how the careers of this year’s draft class evolves.

I can then look back when they make team rosters and do all the others things that we dreamed about as kids and say to myself like all the other members of their villages and say to myself, WOW I was there when they got drafted and saw their dream come to fruition.

Bonus – Download this blog in PDF Format HERE

Kids should follow Rogers Path, not Tigers

Posted June 21, 2019January 27, 2022 Glen MulcahyPosted in Athlete, Coach, Early Sport Specialization, Organization Executive, Parents

One of the questions that I ask speakers for our Love What You Play online events is if they have any books to recommend for coaches to read to help them become better coaches.

For the last 4 weeks I have been talking to another group of amazing speakers and many of which have shared that a MUST read for every coach and even parents, or anyone involved in youth sports segment is David Epstein’s second book, “Range: Why generalists triumph in a specialized world”, following up from his other must read “The Sports Gene”

In my interview with John Kessel, Director of Sport Development for USA Volleyball, who has been coaching for over 50 years, the last 3 decades coaching coaches, when I asked him for book recommendations he pulled many from his vast library and the last was Range that he waived in the air like a giddy kid and I countered “You got it (the Book Range) before me!!” (mine was en route).

I was originally made aware of his new book when David debated with Malcolm Gladwell regarding his 10,000 rule that has been a reference point since he wrote Outliers in 2008 where he admitted to David that he was wrong.

During the interview, David shares insight on his new book prior to its release in May and some of the anecdotes to further support his argument put forth initially in the sports gene that early sport specialization (10,000 hours) is the wrong path to follow (thanks largely to the research that David has done to prove otherwise).

Initially, he was going to title the book Roger vs. Tiger and the first chapter of the book focus on the paths that Roger Federer and Tiger Woods took to reach the highest levels in their sports (Roger in Tennis, Tiger in Golf) but as he was doing his research in other sectors found many other examples why being a generalist was a better pathway to go.

There are so many other great nuggets in Range that I thought would be a great reference point for this weeks post, here are just a handful to entice you to order the book on Amazon and read to add to your toolbasket;

#1 Roger vs. Tiger

The story of Tiger Woods path to becoming one of the greatest golfers of all time has become one of the driving reasons why so many kids start to specialize in sports early, going back to when he was on the Bob Hope Show at 2 putting, his smooth swing at 5, starting to win tournaments soon after, the US Amateur and hit the tour with vigor after being a standout at Stanford for their golf team.

His father, Earl, identified early on that Tiger had potential as he himself was a high-level athlete himself, played collegiate baseball as the only black player in the conference but also a member of Army’s elite Green Berets and felt from his early childhood that Tiger “was the chosen one”.

I will never forget watching Tiger play in his first major tournament, the 1997 Masters championship with such a powerful swing and distance on his drives he shattered the record with -19 (a record to this day), winning by 12 strokes over the rest of the field. Although Augusta’s design had not been tweaked since Bobby Jones designed, the Masters’ organizers added distance to as many holes as they could to “Tiger Proof” the course.

Tiger went on to win 15 majors and 67 PGA events (81 total), now second to overall to Sam Snead but it has not been without adversity.

Early in his 30’s, as a result of playing golf as his one and only sport since a young boy, his body fought back, where he suffered multiple back, knee, Achilles injuries multiple surgeries and extensive rehab, the last being the back fusion surgery that he had merely to be pain free not thinking that he would ever return to competitive golf.

But his come back is probably going to be one of the best examples in history of sport how one can overcome adversity against all odds and in the last FedEx Cup of 2018 thousands of people followed him on the fairway as he won his first event in many years, then this Spring winning his 15^th major, the 2019 Masters.

I have shared in past posts his journey and challenges, and although Tiger has accomplished so much, it cost him a marriage due to personal challenges he had, 10+ years of chronic pain where he reached the point where he opted for the fusion surgery merely so he could WALK again pain-free.

David then goes on to share the generalist path that Roger Federer took, the one that all the science supports, the multi-sport path.

Rogers mother was a tennis coach but opted not to coach him and with her husband supported him to sample as many sports as possible growing up. He played squash with his father, tried skiing, wrestling, swimming, skateboarding and played basketball, handball, tennis, table tennis, badminton, and soccer.

Roger did not lean towards tennis as his preferred sport until his late teens and when he decided to do so, and instructors saw he had potential to be really good and wanted him to move up to compete with older players but he refused, as he wanted to stay with his friends (one of the top reasons why kids play sports0

Like Tiger, who was ranked #1 on many occasions over his career, Roger also has been ranked #1 but much later in his career, in his mid-thirties was ranked #1 in the world.

To date, Roger has over 100 wins, including a record 20 grand slam singles titles and in 2019 at the age of 37 years old, he is currently ranked #3 in the world, but many feel he could reach that top plateau again.

Two different paths to greatness, but here are some of the other great nuggets why being a generalist until much later is the optimal path.

#2 Learning: Fast vs. Slow – Academics

In this chapter, one example why it is better for students to space out their learning of subject matter like the traditional model where teachers would focus on a subject for a week at time them move on vs. staggered approach over the course of the school year.

He cites an example where students learning Spanish would be tested the same day vs. tested a month later. EIGHT years later with no studying in between, the latter group retained 280 % more.

The motor skill equivalent is akin to teaching a kid to walk too early, they are going to learn to walk at some point and there is no evidence that rushing it will matter.

“Learning deeply means learning slowly.”

#3 The trouble with too much grit

David shares an anecdote by telling the story of a gifted artist by laying the groundwork first where I kept thinking to myself, who is talking about?

One that grew up in the Netherlands who tried freehand sketch as a boy he destroyed it and refused to try again but in lieu spent hours wandering outside looking at things, tried art school when he was 13 away from home and left at 15, then worked for an art dealership, pursued religious studies, worked in a bookstore, became a teacher but never succeeded.

In his late 20’s he came around full circle and tried watercolors under the guidance of his former boss of the art dealership which was short lived as his mentor stated he started too late.

In his early 30’s he tried oil and canvas and was responsible for launching a new era of art where he did the majority of his paintings in the last two years of his life.

If you are an art expert, you probably figured it out at the Netherlands, and as my daughter graduated from Emily Carr, one of the top Art schools in North America and I shared the story after the fact she nailed it right away.

The artist – Vincent Van Gogh, one of the most famous and influential figures in Western Art.

His entire life consisted for trial and error, had he not done so, had he not had the determination to pursue the various acumens’ he did, the world would have been deprived of one of the greatest artists of all time.

There are numerous other examples that I could cite from the rest of the amazing chapters but will leave you with a couple of takeaways;

#1 – One of the answers I get from parents all the time why they opted to support their kids to specialize early is “They love the sport”

My counter: Do you kids love Chocolate Cake?

Their answer: What did doesn’t?

Me: Would you let them eat the ENTIRE chocolate cake in one sitting?

Them: No.

Me: I rest my case.

#2 – The other is like Tigers Dad, based on advice they have from the “private skills developers” how identified their son has “special” skills (when they are just an early bloomer) and recommend they specialize in one sport as they may be “the next chosen one” and go on to get an NCAA scholarship and play professionally (0.03% do)

My counter: If a teacher told you that your child showed proficiency in one subject in school, say math, would you pull them out of school to focus on that subject only?

Their Answer: No

Me: Why?

Them: Because we want them to become well rounded, be strong in all subject areas, math, science, language, art etc. so they do well on the SAT and get accepted to university.

Me: I rest my case.

Regardless if your child loves or shows proficiency early on and are leading the beehive early (early bloomers) in a sport the various examples from Sports, Art, Music, Science, Business sectors in David’s Book should guide you in helping your child find their optimal path.

Just make sure that you support them to try as many different sports and other activities including free play early so they can choose their path later that they aspire to otherwise they may never find and pursue their true love vs. potentially being deprived of it if they specialized in one sport too early.

Let’s all work together to bring the game back to the kids … where it belongs.

Bonus – Download a Free Printable PDF Copy of this blog HERE

How Moresports promotes a love for the game

Posted June 14, 2019January 27, 2022 Glen MulcahyPosted in Athlete, Coach, Organization Executive, Parents

I was invited by the coordinator of Moresports, Cynthia Lee, to come out to see their annual Soccer Jam event they host and must confess, many youth sports organizations across Canada, if not the globe could learn from their model to provide quality sports programming.

As I shared in a blog I did a few weeks back, How More Sports is creating more sport opportunities for kids, they are a community-based organization in Vancouver, BC, established in 1998 to provide opportunities for kids to play sports that could not afford to be in organized leagues.

Since that time, they have grown with multiple hubs in Eastern Vancouver, one in Coquitlam and have approximately 4000 kids participate in their programs annually.

The best part, if kids can’t afford the fees, they provide subsidies so kids can play, their goal is to never turn a kid away regardless of their socio-economic status.

Like when I went to see one of their basketball programs in one of the hub schools last month, today I saw many kids with HUGE smiles on their faces as they played soccer but it was what I did not see that truly inspired me how we can bring the game back to the kids.

The only uniforms that the kids wore were donated Moresports t-shirts with no numbers or name bars (common in youth sports for “scouts” to ID “prospects”) in various colours.

There were no officials to enforce rules as we see in many organized sports today, as early as 6 years old when kids play “elite” level sports (which is the dirtiest word in sport today, there is no such thing as an elite 6-8-10 year old kid, they are just early bloomers)

The parents either sat quietly on blankets, bleachers or stood along the sidelines and some took pictures, most just watched in silence or cheered when the occasional goal, great save or shot was made by any, not just their own, kids on the “teams”.

There was not a vocal minority who were screaming instructions at their kids, criticizing their mistakes as is all too commonplace today in organized youth sports that is leading to so many kids quitting before high school.

Some are those are the ones that sit at the end of the field or in parking lots having tailgate parties (as is often the case at “prospect” tournaments) who become vocal as they had one too many wobbly pops.

Other than the K1 group (who had the most participants), there were no subs and when there was, the leaders ensure that every kid rotated in and out evenly but most games had 6-7 players a side.

There was No Scoreboard, No Scorekeepers, No Timekeepers.

There was no tournament board keeping track of wins and losses that coaches will check as the tournaments evolve to figure out their standings, when they will play after round robin and if they anticipate tiebreakers, goals +/for etc.

There were no trophies or participation medals or ribbons.

There was no apparel tables to resell branded merchandise for the “prospect” tournament or silent auctions, door prize raffles or volunteers selling 50/50 tickets to raise money for the tournament hosts.

Kids just played For The Love of the Game.

There were almost an equal ratio of girls to boys playing on the co-ed teams all the way to G7 (11 years old)

There were leaders (much higher % are female as they want to give back to the program than male coaches in youth sports) for each “team” who are former campers that have been identified as potential leaders in the community and receive training which includes High 5, Fundamental Movement Skills and majority are under 18 years of age.

Most only gave the teams pep talks for warm-ups, then during the games would just ensure that the game continued by getting the balls when kicked out of the mini-fields. Some “coached” by saying … keep it going, great shot, great save it was ALL POSITIVE.

The coordinator, Cynthia Lee, was one of those herself, then a leader, and now the full-time coordinator who organizes this event.

This was the third year that the event was hosted at Trillium park, ironically one sky train stop or short drive away from Rogers Arena and BC Place Stadium where our professional soccer, football, and hockey teams play that most, if not all, of the kids playing today sadly will never have the opportunity to see due to the ongoing rising costs of tickets.

Trillium Park consists of two all-weather soccer fields, which Moresports converted by using cones and age-appropriate nets into 16 mini-fields, the epitome of small area games at its finest.

The schedule for the day is below

K1 (5-6 year old kids, their largest age group) started the day by playing 3 20 minutes games with 5 minute breaks and 2 minute hydration breaks.

When the ball would go out of play, the kids or leaders would retrieve and they would throw it in and GAME ON.

2-3 (7-8 year olds) and 4-7 (9-11 year olds) would play 3 x 30 minute games also with 5 minute changeovers and water breaks.

Approximately 1000 kids participate in the annual event.

Think about this.

60 – 90 minutes of activity, small area games, age-appropriate nets, balls to follow Soccer Canada’s new LTPD model, trained leaders and coaches providing limited feedback that is positive (to let the kids PLAY) and in lieu of multiple trips back and forth, you get to play all your games back to back.

Similar to the good old days where you went to a park and played for HOURS vs. structured games and tournaments that are all too commonplace today.

They also had a carnival with bouncy castles and various other activities and food trucks for kids to fuel up more after they devoured their snack bags they all received that included a voucher for those from economically challenged families for kid favs, grilled cheese, fish and chips (my lunch for the day) and Triple O’s burgers.

Why this truly was unique compared to any other jamboree that I attended as coach, parent or player is it also included tents from all of the community sponsors that permit Moresports to provide their amazing programs

United Way – Vancouver Parks and Rec – Vancouver School Board – Canucks Autism Network

This provided them the opportunity to engage with parents and vice versa.

As I was leaving the Vancouver Police showed up with their (motor) bikes, one of their dogs squads, their horses. Vancouver Fire Department had come in past years so they also could engage with the community that at times sees them as the bad guys (as many of these kids are in really tough neighborhoods who see more than the fair share of police and social workers).

One of the VPD’s staff sergeants volunteers as a leader for the event also.

As I was driving back home my head was spinning, why is this not THE MODEL for communities across Canada to promote quality sport and kids being active as it is only currently being run in Vancouver. It was the epitome of organized Free Play.

I also thought, organized youth sports could also learn as unlike the vast amount of organizations that I have talked to, Moresports is growing by adding more hubs and the executive director, Bill Woodley, hinted that they are having dialogue with other provinces how they can provide the same model but only if they identify they NEED it which many have come calling.

The challenge he said, is they will have to remove all the barriers and promote collaboration as Vancouver has done with parks and rec, school boards and other community organizations.

Proof that if all stakeholders buy-in to a common vision that it CAN BE DONE.

When we all work together, the best part of it all, Kids PLAY, Have Fun and love the game more at the end than when they started.

Kudos to all the team members, the hundreds of volunteers, leaders, coaches of Moresports to show us that it can be done if we remember what it is really about, the KIDS.

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What Youth and Professional Sports can learn from the gaming industry

Posted June 5, 2019January 27, 2022 Glen MulcahyPosted in Athlete, Coach, Organization Executive, Parents

Last Fall the World Health Organization (WHO) added a section to their International Classification of Diseases (ICD) called “Gaming Disorder” which will officially go into effect in 2022.

The section focuses on the patter of gaming behavior (“digital-gaming” or “video-gaming”) that has an increasing priority over other activities that takes precedence over their personal, social, family or educational life.

No reference to the fact that excessive gaming has been identified by all of the professional sports with the next generation of athletes and one of the questions that is asked at draft combines?

As we have shared for years, as a result of the digital era, many kids today have replaced their former active free time with inactive screen time which not only includes video and mobile device games, but binge-watching Netflix, spending hours on end on social media platforms, watching YouTube so shouldn’t the (WHO) look at either amending the ICD or adding one called “Digital Disorder”?

In a prior post we shared “Why Do Kids Play Video Games” we shared several of the reasons why kids today play video games and some ending up suffering from “gaming disorders” where it does impact their lives on so many fronts in terms of their mental and physical well being.

Last week Jim Benning, GM of the Vancouver Canucks, was interviewed by the Vancouver Sun if it was a concern for the upcoming draft as they continue to go thru their rebuild (5 years in the making to get back to the playoffs and counting) and he commented that is not an issue with NHL prospects as they don’t have the time to play video games excessively due to training on and off-ice, nutrition, and recovery needed for them to make the cut so to speak in the NHL.

This in response to rumours regarding one of their top prospects, Olli Juolevi, having a gaming addiction which his agent has denied and was also one of the reasons why their leadership group on the team (players) banned video game play while they were on the road to promote team chemistry and ensure they adhered to routines for proper rest and recovery and nutrition to play the rigourous 82 game schedule we highlighted in “This is The Future” at the beginning of this season nearing its end with a few games remaining the Stanley Cup Final.

Tweet Reply by Jeff Marek in response to an interview he had with a Junior Coach regarding an NHL first-round draft pick who was affected by the “gaming disorder”.

The Junior Coach shared with Jeff in that interview as a result that the player “will never play in the NHL because of a video game addiction”

All that talent, all the time he committed to making it to the NHL, getting drafted in the first round and blowing it all way due to playing video games into the wee hours of the morning night after night?

Imagine how the parents would feel after investing 10’s of thousands (if not 100’s of thousands if their kids were in academies) of dollars chasing the dream of having their son play in the NHL and missing out due to an addiction to video games, makes you wonder if gaming addiction is added to the list of banned substances for all the professional leagues that lead to suspensions?

Although Jim Benning argued that it was not an issue with the current draft class, I would argue that it has to be on every general manager and scouts radar screen.

We recently shared out another article on our social media that shared further insight on the evolving gaming evolution posted in FORBES

Three Facts the writer shared:

#1 Professional Gamers are making REAL salaries

The highest paid eSports athlete is Kuro Takhasomi from Japan who earned $3.6 Million in one year, the average gamer is making about 60K

#2 Spectators for Video Game events is now more than for traditional spectator sports

The average time that young gamers are watching eSport events is approx. 3.5 hours a week, an hour more than they watch traditional sports.

The numbers are probably skewed right now with the millions of Canadians that are glued to their TV’s each night that the Raptors battle with the Golden State Warriors in their quest to win their first ever (and the first ever for a Canadian Franchise) NBA championship to dethrone the Golden State Warriors in their 5 year legacy.

#3 Only 0.1% will have a chance to become a professional gamer

There are currently only 500 professional gamers worldwide vs. millions who play games, see below for number of kids in the US alone that play digital games (PC and mobile)

Other facts

#4 – The Average age of professional gamers is 35 years old AND almost ½ of which are female.

Think about that … unlike traditional sports where the top 5 pro sports in terms of revenue and gate attendance are played by men with a huge disparity for their female counterparts in female only leagues in terms of media attention, spectators and salaries and eSports is all inclusive in terms of gender, race, sexual orientation.

Hmmm .. lack of inclusion that is affecting youth and professional sports is not a barrier to entry

With gamers developing via online (anyone in the world can play across the globe with access to the internet) before they become professional, the only thing that is required for you to be accepted in the gaming community is that you have the ability to PLAY.

#5 – 2019 revenues in eSports events is projected to exceed 1 Billion (USD) and is expected to exceed over $3 Billion by 2022

Compare that to the top 5 Traditional Professional Sports Annual Revenues ($ USD) in 2018

Hmmmm … NHL … pretty soon annual revenues will be trumped by eSports so if I was a general manager, coach, scout in the NHL it would be on my radar screen that prospects may have a gaming disorder and a focal point in the interview process pre-drafts or even when considering trade for prospects.

It is all about balance if they play a few hours a week is one thing, but if they play 20+ hours a week is another thing altogether as it will impact their rest, recovery and ability to adapt to playing at the level they aspired for.

#6 – The numbers

According to NPD Group, 91 % of children between the ages of 2-17 in the US alone play digital games, approximately 61 Million Kids, up 9% from 2009, attributed to 17% increase in digital game play in the 2-5 year old age group.

REALLY ??

Shouldn’t the preK age group of kids be outside playing, in parks, at beaches, learning how their bodies move in lieu of playing digital games on smartphones, tablets or computer screens?

It’s no wonder that there has been a drastic decline in free play as kids have replaced their former active play time with inactive screen time.

In 2018 (the most recent stat we could find) approximately 2.2 Billion people globally play digital games (29% of the world’s population), 1.2 Billion of those play games on PC’s!

In 2018, the gaming industry was just shy of $140 Billion in revenue, half of which is played on mobile devices (think back a few years ago how Pokemon Go went viral for all age groups, not just kids)

Compare that to the Professional Sports Industry where the annual revenue for the top 5 professional sports last year was $36.3 B and they youth sports segment in the US now exceeding $17B, sports equates to approx. 1/3 that of current gaming revenues worldwide.

As the saying goes, if you can’t beat them, join them.

If traditional youth recreational, competitive and even professional sports organizations have a fighting chance to attract, retain and grow their memberships to curb the momentum of eSports that is growing exponentially before it is too late, STOP doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Look at the gaming Industry best practices by doing your research to understand your avatars (all stakeholders involved) and provide the best quality experience possible so kids love the game more the end of the season than they did at the start.

Encourage them to sample as many games (multiple sports and physical activities) as possible

vs. Working at Pong (one sport) year round

Make it safe to fail for all stakeholders (i.e. kids, coaches, officials)

vs. Adults competing with other adults thru kids.

Let everyone PLAY regardless of their ability so all kids develop

vs. Running short benches focusing on winning at all costs

Develop your coaches to learn how to coach beyond the game

vs. Old school coaching practices focusing on X’s and O’s

AND

Most importantly ……

Make it Fun.

Let’s all work together to bring the game back to the kids… where it belongs.

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