By Edwin Sam ’13, Sports Editor
“The Youth Sports Program is a terrific way to develop skills, learn rules and strategies, and understand team concepts. It is also a positive way for students to improve their individual physical fitness level,” believes Laura Rue, the former Youth Sports coordinator and current first grade teacher. The program was established to provide an opportunity for students to learn and establish athletic skills while promoting the CCDS Character Values. It allows coaches and parents to teach students morals that the students will carry on the field and throughout life.
The program was started in the winter of 2007-2008 when CCDS began to offer Youth Basketball. In 2008, Rue was chosen to be the Youth Sports Coordinator. She said, “The CCDS administration recognized a need in our community. The Youth Sports program is not only beneficial to our students; it is beneficial to our families.” During the school year of 2008-2009, the program extended to fall soccer in addition to basketball. It expanded further in 2009, when it provided options for spring soccer and wrestling in the winter.
The program has also helped form a bond within the Cincinnati Country Day School community. “The youth sports program has helped CCDS families spend time together and support each other,” Rue said. Teams practice once or twice a week after school and are convenient for both coaches and parent because the practices are at CCDS. Scott Nesbitt, a coach and parent said, “It’s good for the community because it keeps people within the school community, particularly with the number of select teams available.”
The Youth Sports Program focuses on letting the students have fun while promoting fitness and building the community. Often times we pay too much attention to the results on the playing field and overlook how much work and effort is but in behind the scenes. Nesbitt realizes how much the help from the parents is needed. “The Youth Program would not exist without [parent support]. We get many comments from other teams about how well the kids and parents act and behave.” Parents have done a good job of cheering for everybody on the field, regardless of who’s child it is or if they are on the opposition. This type of support is necessary because it motivates the players to play to the best of their ability and to play with respect towards other players and referees.” Professional sports are filled with overly rowdy fans and players that disrespect each other and create controversy with referees. CCDS makes sure that fans and players are taught at a young age that such behavior is unacceptable.
It is very easy to get caught up in the record of the team and forget that the ultimate goal is to teach the children. Mr. Brady Brandt, who was recently appointed to the position of Youth Sports Coordinator, believes, “It is important for younger students to be active and participate in team sports. The particular sport is not important, but the virtues and team concepts which can be learned through participating in any team sport at a young age will help them develop as athletes.” Mr. Nesbitt agrees with Brandt and believes that team unity is more important than the scoreboard. “We work really hard to make sure that everybody gets equal playing time. We want the kids to say that the team scored a goal rather than individual players scored a goal. The better skilled kids help bring others along.” Getting the students active is also important because they should have at least 60 minutes of play each day. Mr. Brandt realizes the importance of getting kids outside to play every day. “Physical activity is always very important for the physical and social development of young children. These can be developed through the organized youth sports team, but there is also a need for younger students to play with friends outside in unorganized sports. The social interactions of unorganized sports can also help in the students’ development of character virtues through fair play, winning and losing, teamwork, and conflict resolution and goal attainment without adult instruction.” With many knowledgeable parents, coaches, and players, it will not be long before these students begin to make a difference in the CCDS Middle School and Upper School athletic programs.
