Sports Fieldtrip – Take in an NCAA Event

Courtney Kupets, NCAA Champion Gymnast and former Olympian — photo by Kelly Lambert/Athens Banner-Herald

Looking for ways to keep kids in the sport longer? Try this one – coaches take your team (or parents take your athlete) to a college level game or competition in their sport.  Seriously!

While college sports are a lot of work and there are limited spaces and scholarships available, they are fun and are a viable goal for many high school aged athletes.

In a recent discussion with Megan at Because I Played Sports, we both agree that exposing kids to a variety of levels in their sport is important for helping them decide where they fit in – from a local high school team, division 3 college, junior pro team, to everything in between – and will ultimately help keep kids in sports longer.

Over the weekend a group of gymnasts from our gym went to the NCAA Regional gymnastics meet held at UNC.  In that meet alone they were exposed to a varying level of skill, intensity, and team spirit. I asked some of them what they thought of the meet and they all loved it. However, it was interesting to see how a few of the girls could really relate – they saw gymnasts doing skills they train everyday.

I also think it was helpful for the girls to see that the teams were all different – from the coaching styles, gymnast skill levels, and the overall team chemistry. For some of the girls who are in high school it helped re-energize them – giving them a new goal to work towards.

In addition to the basic benefit of exposure for your athletes, college sports are an excellent entertainment value as ticket prices are usually inexpensive – plus, they are just FUN!

PS – looking for a fashionable way to show your support of your favorite team? Check out these great ladies team shirts done with Swarovski crystals and a great feminine fit.