Case Study: Asbury Park American Youth Football

The pressure was on. Myself as well as my middle school football team had been practicing for weeks to beat our opponent, Southport Middle School. They had beaten up the year before and it was our turn to pay them back.

Athletics have changed over the years in Hampton Roads, Virginia, particularly in High School Football.  Football programs seemingly shied away from bettering young athletes and keeping them on the right track to focusing on building “super teams” to better benefit the coaches and the school’s reputation.  Lately we have watched a few of the area's top athletes coincidentally join forces at the same schools, regardless of what school zone they were originally assigned to, raising eyebrows all across the area. It has become such normality that more and more coaches are obtaining reprimands for recruiting violations, posing a very interesting question: Should the coaches who utilize the talent that they are given and actually work to build their team up from the ground be given more credit, or should the coaches with teams consisting of above average players continue to get all of the praise?

Youth sports have many issues that affects kids like injuries, lack of interest in the sport and most importantly bad parenting. The problem in youth sports is that parents expect too much from their children at a young age causing them to stop doing sports at the age 13, more or less. Parents are making their children play year round sports that can lead into injuries. What I’ve researched so far, many articles and journals are meant for parents to make them improve their parenting on young athletes. I’ve read that many parenting styles regarding youth sports are repetitive. In other words, many parents are making the same mistakes like being too hard on their kid or enforcing training for many hours. From my research so far there are good and bad physical and mental outcomes of kids doing sports at an early age. Many of which are mainly good but all

None of it would be possible if it was not for the kid’s commitment and having fun with the support of their family. A lot of positive and exciting things have taken place and it continues to grow. One of the most exciting and supportive things that is growing is the way that Major Sports Companies show support contributing to youth sports now. Major League Baseball is spending $30 million to introduce its Play Ball program in 140 cities around the country so inner city kids can have the opportunity as everyone else. The NFL has the NFL RUSH PLAY 60 program now that sets of football camps in 60 cities across the United States. At these camps they teach more than just football. They volunteer teachers, motivational speakers, and even past and present NFL players to speak on life issues and overcoming obstacles in your life. The preach on character, being committed to having a strong work ethic, and being dedicated to doing what is right. Apparel and athletic companies such as Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour donate and equip teams, club teams, and Showcase teams with new and proper equipment to try and test out so they are fitted properly and be safe when competing at a higher level. They also offer leadership role seminars to help young athletes grow and build the right character at a young age and show good sportsmanship. If young athletes competing in competitive sports was not a good and positive thing to be a part of then I am sure companies like this would not put forth the time, money, effort if they did not see it to be important.Young children need to know how to work and earn

It all began when I was playing football at Robinson Middle School. This pain had me suffer for a good two years of sports because I wasn’t cleared to be involved with school sports. But then at the end of those two years, I had a miracle from the doctor. He said that “ You are cleared to play sports, Mr. Williams”.

“Who are we playing? What day is it? Repeat and remember these words: Table, Dog, Green.” Trying to spit out answers, all I could seem to focus on was the excruciating pain behind my eyes. Answering these simple, evaluative questions felt like taking a final exam without studying; I was clueless but needed to pass. Feeling defeated, I muttered, “I don’t know” to most of the questions and repeated the words slowly but surely. The trainer left with a disappointed look on her face and I continued to whisper the words to myself silently, “Table, Dog, Green. Table, Dog, Green. Table, Dog, Green.” Every voice in the crowd was loud and clear as I cringed every time something happened that caused them to react. Normally we pray for the powerful runs

Bursting out the massive black prison doors, gazing upon the lucid crystal blue sky where marshmallow clouds waltzed by the bright sun that was scorching down, while a cool gentle breeze caused the hairs on my arm to rise, I rushed to the mini white bus where I heard my teammates chattering about their day at school. With butterflies fluttering in my stomach, my palms feeling clammy and an uncontrollable tremor emerging, I could not conceal my nerves. When we arrived to Buffalo Grove High School, the smell of crisp tennis balls--brought me joy--the feel of the brisk breeze descending down my back--caused the heat from my body to diminish--the sound of football players getting yelled at --reminded me that we needed to win-- got me relaxed and ready for this match.

Schedule football fields for practice and games. Hold life lesson sessions with our older football players, and talk about everything from sex, drugs, gangs, parents, etc. Silicate volunteer’s coaches, bring in college recruits, and local police officers to talk with kids. Order and inventory equipment, make phone list for all players, meet with website administrator send over weekly information. Meet with principal, teachers, and school officials, setup meetings with coaches, meeting with players, coordinate trips for team to attend church, and for trips to NY,

High school football is an experience. Everyone should be able to go to friday night lights. This can be the most important part of the high schoolers life, this is what they look forward to. Seeing your friends, watching your favorite player, and overpriced concessions. The school district I was in before I was in GCISD I lived in Ennis. The ennis lions are 5 time state champs. The last time they won was in 2014. The panther pride is a close second to how good they are. High school football is something you can't describe and once you graduate you wish you could be that high schooler in the student section one more time playing for the championship game.

"Marketing is the concept of packaging a product and services in the right way, at the right price, and in the right environment to encourage individuals to buy," that definition is provided from the textbook (Fried, 2015). The product is the stage for pulling in a fan base. The high school football team needs to attract fans to attend the game for momentum/ energy during the football games. First on my campaign for the football team is to approach fans for criticism. However, Social media has made it simpler than any time in recent memory to assess why individuals would or would not go to an occasion, and connecting with fans by means of an open discussion has the additional advantage of expanding the teams visibility through direct exchange. That includes the second part on the campaign list to push through social media. In the textbook it states that,

I am taking on several different service projects, but the one I will discuss in the reflection is being a ref for the Gloucester City Youth Soccer League. Back in sophomore year at one soccer practice, Mike Dougherty, Mrs. Doc’s son, came to talk to both Varsity and JV about being volunteer referees for the League. I decided to volunteer because my sister was still playing for GCYSL and I had played soccer for them since I was five up until I was too old (13 years old). Never before did I ref, so obviously I was slightly nervous on how well I would do, but all those worries were quickly gone once I realized it was adorable watching the seven to nine year olds play their little hearts out.

Competitive sports in some cases are becoming unhealthy for children. Most children would rather play on a losing team than sit on the bench of a winning team. Youth sports are a great idea to get children up and active, as well as improve their social skills. Just like every other thing in life it is important to practice and work hard to achieve success. However it is unhealthy to foster the results over the wants or needs or wants of the child. Aside from the mental stress that young athletes may experience from intense training and physical play long lasting injures is a growing concern. Fact is competitive sports is a double edge sword if done right it is the greatest thing world, but if done wrong it can be very unhealthy for a child.

By now almost everyone has heard about child obesity in America, but just how high are the rates? The answer might surprise you. According to Nate Whitman, a writer for The Huffington Post, “rates of obesity have doubled in 2- to 5-year-olds, quadrupled in 6- to 11-year-olds, and tripled in 12- to 19-year-olds” (par. 2). This is due to more children staying inside and only doing activities such as video games. They do not interact with anyone besides whomever they are talking to online. These findings are astonishing to say the least. What can we do to combat this? Involvement in organized sports helps children develop their social skills, improve their academic progress, and stay active.

While reading the “Characteristics of sports-based youth development programs,” six characteristics were discussed in the article that are very similar to the characteristics seen at the Niagara Charter School. There was seven differences as well and a couple of the differences that I sought out should be added to our program to help strengthen it. The six characteristics that I thought were similar to our program was; physical and psychological safety, appropriate structure, supportive relationships, opportunities to belong, opportunities for skill building, and opportunities for recognition.

I sent out a survey at recess was the main question. I wanted to do this because it is an interesting topic to me. I like to play football at recess, but other people don’t. I wonder why because it is really fun, but then I realized people could get hurt. I wanted to see who else felt like me. I Believe most people will agree with me because a lot of people like football .