10 Apr FAQs about Youth Sports and Travel Teams
Youth sports have transformed significantly in the course of the lifetime of most grandparents. Most sports were unorganized when we were kids. We played numbers of classic outdoor games, along with touch football and sandlot baseball. When our kids were old enough to get associated with sports, they usually played on school teams, Little League teams or on teams sponsored by the YMCA or other associations. These days, various youth athletes play on what are called select teams or travel teams. For grandparents in need of a crash course, listed here are solution to some of the most frequently asked questions about select teams.
1. What is a select team? A select team is one comprised of better-than-average players who must try out to make the team.
2. A travel team is one that travels to compete with teams in other cities and towns. Most select teams are travel teams.
3. What is the cost of being on a select team or travel team? Teams often sponsor fund-raisers or solicit donations to defray the cost of travel, but the cost of being on a select team can still hit a thousand or more dollars per year. In addition, select team members usually use more expensive equipment than those playing on a recreational team.
4. Families who are involved in select teams or travel teams do spend a great deal of time together. For talented young athletes, participation in a select team can be a stepping stone to a spot on a college team or even a pro tryout. It is important to realize, however, that most players on select teams or travel teams will not go on to glory in college or in the pros.
5. What are the disadvantages of taking part in a select team or travel team? The cost, the biggest drawback is the time commitment needed from the young athlete and the athlete’s family. Of course, this disadvantage can become a convenience if the entire relatives enjoy the travel and the games. However, the demands of getting on the team may keep families far from celebrations, church services and a host of other endeavors. Every family must determine where to draw the line.
6. What problems do some have about involvement in select teams or travel teams? Parental misconduct is one of the most frequently cited concerns. The unacceptable behavior may be a demonstration of poor sportsmanship toward the other team or verbal abuse of a player who makes a mistake. Coaches are also sometimes guilty of being too strenuous on team members. Some young athletes have difficulty handling the pressure of competition on this level.
7. Young people who play on select teams are sometimes pushed to specialize in a single sport and sometimes play that sport for much longer than a regular sports season. The results can include more frequent injuries and the possibility of becoming burned out on that sport
8. If their children and grandchildren make the decision to participate in select teams, the grandparents must support that decision. If it is possible for grandparents to travel to the games, they can share in the family and team camaraderie. If they cannot travel with the team, there are still lots of ways they can provide fan support for their grandchildren.
9. Is there a special role for grandparents? Grandparents can assist monitor the physical and mental wellness of their grandchildren. If a grandchild has a concern about team participation, he or she may feel more convenient discussing it with a grandparent than with a parent, who may be more invested in the team’s success. The grandparent can then advise the parents if there is cause for concern.
10. What’s the most important issue to ask about a select team or travel team? Actually, there are two. Are the young players having fun? Do they appear to have a true love of the game? Chances are that all is well if both of these questions can be answered in the affirmative.