January 19: City Club Forum- Challenges in Youth Sports: Local Hurdles

Description

In today's youth sports environment, very few of our children have full access to the benefits of playing sports. A number of challenges from high cost, early specialization, injuries, burnout, lack of transportation, and shortage of space, coaches and officials lead us to ask who is benefiting from youth sports in our community and how can we improve outcomes? 

Panelists:

• Shawna Hicks, Madras Aquatics Center and Recreation District 
• Marcus LeGrand, Bend-La Pine Schools Board of Directors, The Fathers’ Group 
• Dave Turnbull, Summit Track Coach
• Rich Ekman, Bend Parks and Recreation Sports Coordinator

Moderated by Jay Bowerman, former Olympian, coach, and educator

Do you or a child you know have experience in local sports? Take our survey here.

Pre-Forum Resources:

• In youth sports, talent helps but money rules
• Norway’s hands-off approach to youth sports might explain why they’re so good when they get older, https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sports-columnists/story/2022-07-20/zeigler-norway-youth-sports-track-field-world-athletics-championships-eugene-karsten-warholm
• The Price of Youth Sports: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGxxBER5xJU
• Local basketball referee shortage causes month-long schedule changes 
• They’re top-ranked basketball players and ready to cash in. Up next: Third grade.https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/08/11/basketball-nil-second-grade/
• The rise of youth cage-fighting. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/interactive/2022/youth-mixed-martial-arts/?itid=ap_romanstubbs
• A wrestler was forced to cut his dreadlocks before a match. His town is still looking for answers.  https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/04/17/wrestler-was-forced-cut-his-dreadlocks-before-match-his-town-is-still-looking-answers/