A full circle moment and a metric of success! by Neil McNab, Executive Director, Rush Union Soccer

Championships, and the future on-field success stories of alumni appear to be the normal metric of success for youth sports organizations. It’s so easy to see wins and champions everywhere you look.

The professionalizing of the youth sports experience has enhanced the marketing capabilities of the youth sports governing bodies, individual tournaments, leagues and youth clubs beyond the wildest dreams of the mom-and-pop community volunteer landscape of the late 80s early 90s. The youth sport ecosystem has evolved, and we have shifted from a process orientated environment to an outcome focused spectacle.

This article will not begin to explain, justify or offer solutions to the complex minefield that parents try to navigate these days looking for the right fit for their child to develop their game. Is the goal to develop them and nurse a skill, or churn out mega-athletes who are solely pushed to win?  What I hope to achieve is a thought-provoking short read that will make you think a little more about who your child is engaging with on their youth sports journey, and a broader spectrum of success that exists. Let’s start with; Who is coaching our kids?

I am not here to discredit any on-field success youth teams have. Tournament and competition wins are a big part of the sports experience and let’s face it. Winning is fun for kids. For adults too. My hope is that youth players get to experience that feeling along their journey. Winning a game of soccer may not be the primary focus of the sport, but it is the point of the game… why play if you are not at least trying to win? It drives athletes. That euphoric feeling of winning is almost tangible. But we also know that youth sports—like soccer—can teach important life lessons that go well beyond the game itself. And become the true “win” of sports.

So, next time you are signing your child up for a sport, or meeting a coach for the first time, ask them about their journey in the game. Ask them why they coach, and what they like most about coaching. Learning what motivates your child’s coach can give you great insight into who your coach is and on what journey they will take your son or daughter.  It’s an important investigation as you send your child off to a coach for 2 -3-4, sometimes 5 days a week. A wise coach recently reminded me that children only get one childhood, and we want them to love every minute of it. Coaches can have a dramatic impact on childhood.

At Rush Union we have multiple coaches who have played the game at a college or even professional level. The professionalization of youth sports has lead to a large increase in professional players finding a pathway to stay involved with their sports as coaches, administrators and educators. At Rush Union we also have many coaches who have grown up playing for our organization. Our adaptive special needs program is run by two former players, who are giving back to the game they enjoyed and “Playing it Forward” to others… the Rush Union tag line. Their personal experiences alone do not make them gifted coaches, it is their motivation to make a difference in the lives of children and their communities that does that!

I have two children participating in our leagues as youth players, and this upcoming season for the first time two of my own children will be coached by two of my former youth players. It’s a full circle moment for me, our organization and for our young coaches. It is a wonderful metric of success when former players give back to the sport that they got so much from as children themselves. Positively impacted youth is an amazing privilege and opportunity, and I am so honored to have my former players working with my own children inspiring a love of the game. It means so much more than the championships and tournament wins we had on the field together years ago.

We all want the best possible experience and journey for our children in youth sports. I would encourage everyone to find the right coaches, professional or otherwise. Find the ones who will support your child and share their passion with them and the youth they are working with. Great youth coaches are hard to find, harder to keep, and have experiences to share that are far more important than a trophy case. If you have a great coach, let them know how appreciative you are for the transformation work they are doing. Kids only have one childhood, let’s make it great together.

RU Ready to join our Rush Union family and start your playing or coaching journey? Please reach out to us.