“I don’t believe skill was, or ever will be, the result of coaches. It is a result of a love affair between the child and the ball.”
Roy Keane.
The first time our children step onto a football pitch is a rite of passage. It can be an exciting and anxious time; at least for the parents. For the children it is play. It can ignite their curiosity and thirst for learning. Over time the sports field provides opportunities for young players to develop character strengths such as teamwork, leadership, fairness, creativity and bravery. The pitch is a learning environment that not only cultivates game competence, but can shape our children into well-rounded sportsmen and women. As we stand on the sidelines watching our young players embark on this journey, how do we know if we are enabling their development, or holding them back? Reflecting on five questions can help us to monitor our supportive behaviours.
Source:Football Federation of Australia