Editorial: Win or lose, youth athletics and clubs need our support

Today, we live in a competitive society. Competitions are relevant whether it’s for a job, during election season, or by businesses to have the most eye-catching sales. But for many people in society, when a person hears the word “competition”, it comes back to some type of athletic event or competition.

Unfortunately, the thrill of enjoying a sport at the younger stages has adopted the mentality of “win now.” While high school sports are driven on having the best athletes on the field to remain competitive, youth sports and clubs are slowly trending in that direction. However, youth sports, youth clubs, and school activities need our continuous support.

At first this particular editorial was supposed to be published at a later date, but after reading a heartbreaking social media post I decided to expedite it. A friend of mine is a cheerleading coach for a local organization. In her post, she is asking for funds to purchase uniforms and warm-ups for her team. While I understand the raising of funds for the warm-ups, why do these cheerleaders have to raise money for uniforms for an association that is suppose to provide the basic uniform for them? Unfortunately, this is one of the problems facing youth organizations today. If you want to have a club or team, you’re going to have to raise the money in order to provide for it.

Now before anyone asks how I can make that statement, I can attest personally to those experiences with two personal stories of my own as I have both fundraised and contributed to youth clubs and organizations, but in particular, a high school team.

For those who do not know, I coached girls’ high school basketball for eight years in Charles City. During the first year, there were games where literally the stands only had six people in it. The history of girls’ basketball in Charles City hadn’t been prominent since the late 1970s and numerous seasons of winless games or a minimal number of victories have spilled over.

Instead of pouting and leaving the girls’ program, I elected to invest in it. I took my coaching stipend and put it into buying practice jerseys for the upcoming year. A combination of a strong coaching staff, players willing to work to take the next step, and supportive parents, travel suits and bags were purchased. Over the next few years, the team became more successful and support for the program grew. Even after my departure, fans and parents continue to attend games, which is what the program needed.

My second story centers around fundraising and the support that is put in by all. Charles City Middle School’s Lady Wildcats needed new uniforms (as they were wearing uniforms more than 12 years old). On one Saturday afternoon, parents volunteered to cook and provide baked goods for a simple sale at Charles City’s firehouse. Lady Wildcats stood at the corner holding signs and soliciting people for support. The team met its modest goal of $600, but it was one person who came to the sale and dropped off a $50 bill and told me, “I see these kids and parents putting in the hard work today, so why wouldn’t I invest in this positivity?” That comment made my day and the result was 15 well uniformed girls who earned a playoff berth that year.

The biggest point that I am making is that our youth needs our support. The support doesn’t have to be financial, but they need to understand that we care as a community. If I have a little bit of extra money, I will use it to support the community. If funds are currently insufficient, I will still take time out to attend an event to support them. The misconception in today’s society is that clubs and programs should be self-sufficient. It truly is a statement that is untrue. What youth clubs and groups need is a little bit of attention.

Take time out to do a few things that will benefit both you and youth organizations. Need your car washed? Let a group of students wash it for you while you support them. Attend a high school sports game to help pay for sporting equipment and cost of referees. Buy a box of Girl Scout cookies (I prefer Thin Mints myself).

There will always be a need to support the youth of the community. Numerous times I thank parents and all who have supported me. As I have now and will always continue to do, I pay it forward because I know what I give (whether it’s time, money, or even small coverage in the paper), it will impact at least one person’s life.