As we wind down softball and baseball season here in Davis, Calif., I can’t help but think about all the amazing parents I saw supporting my child’s sports and activities. For example, without volunteers (both official and unofficial), I know I wouldn’t have seen the amazing progress my daughter’s 8U Softball team made this season. Three parent volunteer coaches, three volunteer parent scorekeepers (yours truly here!), volunteer umpires, volunteer field prep and clean up, snacks, photography…well, you get the picture. These dedicated volunteers showed me that it really does take a village to support a child’s sports and activities.
What is more important is the example that these parents are setting for their children. In our soon-to-be-announced study we conducted with the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, we learned that the more sports a parent actively participates in, the higher the number of sports their children participates in as well. Parents are setting the example and making sports and activity a priority for their active families across America.
So as we head into the summer months, think about what you can do to help make youth sports an amazing experience for your children and how you can make sports and activity a priority for your family. I know I will! Our first event this summer is a kids triathlon in June – and I am happy to report I will be joining my seven-year-old son as his race partner (hope I can keep up)!
Want to get active with your family? We can help show you how!
Stephany Cavatoni is our chief research guru and gets active by biking around town in Davis, California, hitting up the ARC at UC Davis, and cheering/coaching her kids in youth sports.
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