Two years ago, I first posted I have a Dream for Youth Sports. I still have that dream for kids playing sports. It motivates me to encourage parents to give their kids a positive youth sports experience. I hope that this is your dream too!
One of the most famous lines of King’s speech is this one:
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin by the content of their character.
That dream kept Martin Luther King, Jr. writing, speaking and striving to make this country a better place to live.
I have a dream, youth-sports style
I too, have a dream. But it’s a dream for youth sports. It’s a dream that keeps me writing, answering emails, and trying to help sports parents everywhere as they strive to make youth sports a better place for kids.
I have a dream that in youth sports, every kid who wants to play will find a team, a league that offers him that opportunity.
I have a dream that parents would let kids be kids and have fun playing sports, especially when they are young.
I have a dream that kids would learn from youth sports that there are some things worth fighting for and that fighting for them makes you a stronger person.
I have a dream that kids playing sports would know the unconditional love and support of their parents, win or lose.
I have a dream that kids in youth sports would learn what it means to be part of a team, to work together with others.
I have a dream that kids in youth sports would learn how to rise above mistakes and become better because of them.
I have a dream that parents would not push their kids to fulfill the parent’s own personal desires, but that parents would listen to the kids’ dreams and passions.
I have a dream that parents, coaches, and athletes would understand that youth sports is fun and may even open doors for the future, but that there is nothing more important than what an athlete becomes in the process.
If you want to truly be inspired by a man who changed the fight for civil rights in our country, take a few minutes to read his “I have a dream” speech today.
May it remind you that in life, and in sports, there are some dreams worth fighting for.
If your child struggles to be a fearless competitor, my friend Craig Sigl from the Mental Toughness Academy has a course just for him or her. Check out the Fearless Competitor Course that promises to transform your child’s fearful mindset into a fearless one! (that’s my affiliate link)
Spread the Dream!
Display this poster and encourage sports parents to give their kids a positive youth sports experience.
Hi Janis,thanks for sharing this, its nice to see Kids having interest in sport
Janis, I would like your permission to publish the above article, “I Have A Dream” in my Feb. newsletter, “Karls’ Komments” to be distributed to District 7 soccer coaches in Central CA. Thank You ‘ahead of time’ for your permission … Your FUNdamental, Koach Karl (aka Karl Dewazien D-7 Recreation Admin.
Great idea for kids. I have also a Dream for my 2 son Playing Sports. Thanks for inspire me …….
This is a piece most parents with children in any activity should read! As a High Performance Canoe/Kayak/Dragon Boat coach most parents I have do not paddle and yet one or two will try to provide ‘coaching’ when they have no idea what they are talking about.
For coaches; communicate, communicate, communicate! Let parents know what to expect in terms of the workouts each week, setting goals for the kids, and where they, the parent, fall in with the grand scheme of things – volunteers and encouragers.
Nice work; thank you for sharing!