Love in Youth Sport

In a recent coaches' training, the topic of love was brought up by a participant.

Love in youth sport is a tricky topic given some of the recent abuse scandals.

To add, the coaches' teams were from special populations that are especially vulnerable including youth living in residential treatment, group homes, and underserved youth.

After much discussion, a few meaningful comments were made including:

• Appropriate physical and emotional boundaries are of utmost importance. 
• Creating an environment where a child feels safe, cared for, and has healthy attachments is desirable within the sport and coaching context. 
• Caring can be modeled through your interactions with your coaching staff and others that are in the sport context.  

Any thoughts to add? 

Play-Moments of Relief

I was observing a young girl having fun in a park this Memorial Day weekend and couldn't help but think of "moments of relief" desperately needed by victims of complex trauma. Sport (and the simple joy of play) provides relief from the burden of grief, sadness, abandonment, loneliness, and a variety of feelings that haunt trauma victims constantly. Being able to play on the swings or be part of a team allows them to leave these feelings behind for a few moments or possibly an hour or more. This is a gift that can't be underestimated. 

do the good,
RR
www.docwayne.org