Thank you to my friends at Fanatics.Com, FlipGive and Cool Contour for believing in the positive difference adults can make in youth sports and for the awesome gifts they are giving the winners!
For the past three weeks, I’ve been reading your nominations for the positive youth sports award and I have something very
important to say.
Youth Sports is still making a positive impact on many kids!
The news is not all bad. In fact, it’s the loud minority that gets the attention, while thousands and thousands of adults all over the world are making youth sports a positive, growing experience for kids.
I only got to read about a very small percentage of them, but every story made me smile.
And the Award Goes to…
The first of three positive youth sports awards that I will be handing out goes to Creed Larrucea from Sacramento, California. Creed is the Director of Coaching and Player Development for the Sacramento North Soccer Club. Creed has been coaching for over 10 years.
It’s pretty evident that Creed understands the value of the impact of youth sports on young lives.
- He puts his coaches through the Positive Coaching Alliance training.
- He creates opportunities for all players in the league–competitive, recreational, young, older–to develop skills for free in a weekly clinic, working with a local high school.
He offers additional training for athletes for only $5.- He’s been instrumental in adding a competitive level to the rec league as a more affordable alternative to expensive club teams.
- He encourages players to set goals and empowers them to learn, develop, and be good teammates.
- He conducts organized practices that follow a great process of learning.
- He is always looking to improve himself as a coach and has even taken classes to do that.
- He is very positive, but realistic with players–a trait they all appreciate.
“Creed is an amazing coach that is 100% about building skills for success both on and off the field.” (Valeri Garcia, whose daughter plays for Creed)
What is Creed’s motivation? What is the biggest reward he gets from giving so much to youth sports?
My biggest reward is retention. Having players wanting to return to play the sport again. We all know the statistics and sports participation dwindles as the children grow older. I feel that I have to counter that statistic by keeping the children I coach interested in the game.
Thank you, Creed, for being a positive voice in youth sports! Congratulations on Your Positive Youth Sports Award!
Do you know someone in youth sports who, like Creed, is making youth sports a positive experience for kids? If you’ve already nominated someone, they are still eligible for the October award. If you haven’t, nominate them now!