Heath West

I fully understand club sports and the purpose behind them. My own kids play and will continue to play in these types of programs. My issues is this: Please stop making kids feel guilty for trying to be a valued member of their high school programs in a different sport! What I am sick of, is clubs expect high school teams to always work around their big events, but if the club is asked to work around the HS program, the kids are threatened with no longer being on that team, or even better, told they can’t be on a certain team next year if they miss a particular tournament. There is value in club sports, especially as far as individual skills and competition level. There are also lessons in HS sports that cannot be taught in club, like playing in front of 2,000 fans in an emotional environment, with your towns name across your chest. There is value in learning how to perform in those types of situations and the pressure that comes with it! Student sections rushing the floor after huge wins are memories kids deserve to share as well! Just tired of the guilt trips and ultimatums that are forced on these kids as their careers continue. We are all in the kid business and must make them a priority physically and mentally. We must continue to find ways to work together in this arena , while promoting the idea that kids can play multiple sports if they choose to, and be encouraged by both sides to do so!

Start with values.