(Photo courtesy of City Club of Central Oregon)
In today’s youth sports environment, very few of our children have full access to the benefits of playing sports. A number of challenges from high cost, early specialization, injuries, burnout, lack of transportation and shortage of space, coaches and officials lead us to ask who is benefiting from youth sports in our community and how can we improve outcomes?
Panelists:
- Shawna Hicks, Madras Aquatics Center and Recreation District
- Marcus LeGrand, Bend La Pine School Board, The Fathers’ Group
- Dave Turnball, Summit Track Coach
- Rich Ekman, Bend Parks and Recreation Sports Coordinator
Moderated by Jay Bowerman, former Olympian, coach and educator.
Do you or a child you know have experience in local sports? Take our survey here.
Pre-Forum Resources:
- In youth sports, talent helps but money rules
- Norway’s hands-off approach to youth sports might explain why they’re so good when they get older, sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sports-columnists/story/2022-07-20/zeigler-norway-youth-sports-track-field-world-athletics-championships-eugene-karsten-warholm
- The Price of Youth Sports: youtube.com/watch?v=AGxxBER5xJU
- Local basketball referee shortage causes month-long schedule changes
- They’re top-ranked basketball players and ready to cash in. Up next: Third grade.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/08/11/basketball-nil-second-grade
- The rise of youth cage-fighting. washingtonpost.com/sports/interactive/2022/youth-mixed-martial-arts/?itid=ap_romanstubbs
- A wrestler was forced to cut his dreadlocks before a match. His town is still looking for answers. washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/04/17/wrestler-was-forced-cut-his-dreadlocks-before-match-his-town-is-still-looking-answers
City Club January Forum — Challenges in Youth Sports: Local Hurdles
January 19 | 11:30am
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