There are thousands of children that participate in the JTAA youth sports programs each year and the numbers expand and contract accordingly. Kids can be fickle, moving from one sport to the next, developing and practicing the ideals of sportsmanship, teamwork and dedication, to name a few. Frequently, we see kids adopt a sport and stay with it through high school, fostering friendships and mastering the fundamentals which could ultimately land them a scholarship. Not the intention for most parents and players' part but a reality for a few. We are not writing to discuss college scholarships though. We are interested in the proper management of our youth right here at home.

Where do these kids go when they have mastered recreational sports? Where do kids go when they want any kind of lessons? To a professional hopefully, and when I mean professional, I don't mean a professional player, they are notoriously bad coaches! We mean someone skilled in all aspects of the game and of sports which includes but is not limited to proper nutrition for the physical demands, proper physical training and strengthening, mental abilities and leadership. Over the years, our youth sports has expanded to meet this need with the development of the competitive leagues which offer a more challenging environment and often, the use of skilled and licensed professionals to teach the next level. We could stop right here and listen to arguments against such practices, but for the most part, parents with physically talented and athletic kids find themselves migrating towards programs that focus on leadership, teamwork, dedication, persistence, sportsmanship, and professional training. Professional training can be provided in different forums, essentially offering valuable experience and necessary guidance for these youth athletes. In essence, appearing as a coach to the players despite what philosophically goes against the current policy. Children don't see paperwork, politics and procedure; they see what is right in front of them. Limiting the involvement of the training professionals is not supported by the membership. Many argue that a volunteer parent is capable of learning to coach competitive sports, and although anything is possible, not all things are probable. What is lacking in this format comes into play not on the field per se, but in the example set by this hierarchy of leadership. The coach is the head cheese and the person whose command is to be respected on and off the field. What happens when you have a parent volunteer coach whose agenda is not one for the team but one for his or her child? It happens often. Is this the example you want taught to your child? What also occurs regularly are parent coaches who have grown up in the recreational league without proper coach training, but who feel that time invested qualifies them to coach. We are seeking answers these and other issues inside and outside our sports.

The next meeting to discuss the growth and development of the volunteer element of the JTAA organization takes place this Thursday, April 17, 7:00 PM at Jupiter Community Park: North Room. Please email soccerinfo@presidentsdaycup.com to reserve your seat. Membership support can bring about the rejuvenation of the sports programs in this town!