The Day I Realized the Sport Industry Needed to Change
Growing up, most of my "free" time was spent in an ice rink as a figure skater. I learned many lessons while on the ice and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I experienced the highs of landing a new jump, the realization that all my stretching payed off and those few moments where I managed to compete a clean program (a "clean program" is completing every element in a program with no falls). I also experienced failures, unfair judging and the crushing feeling of defeat when I didn't perform as well as I knew I could.
While I learned a lot of great, really important lessons, I also had experiences that should never be present in a youth sports program. I had even more of these experiences as I shifted into the role of a coach:
Disrespectful parents
Power-hungry board members
Coaches pitting other skaters against each other
The encouragement of poor sportsmanship
Ganging up on the "non-popular" coach
Career-ending gossip
I could go on, but I'm sure you get the picture. Coaching left me so drained, I almost left the sport permanently. I was convinced I grew up in the worst youth sports program in the country.
Pictured above: Some of the most beautiful people you will ever meet, inside and out.
After graduating high school, I attended the University of Minnesota and had the privilege of being on the hockey cheerleading team there. One of the best parts of being on the team was meeting fellow figure skaters from all over the country. One morning after practice, we were sitting in the locker room and one of my teammates started talking about the problems going on in her home club. Other girls quickly piped up about all the crazy things going on in their home club and I quickly realized that my experiences were anything but unique.
I worked to pin-point why so many youth sports programs seem to be the breeding grounds for crazy. While there are problems I can't do anything about (AKA helicopter parents, the insane pressure to be the best, mean-spirited people, etc.) there was one problem I knew I could alleviate: disorganization.
I now use my abilities as a web designer to help volunteer-run programs be as efficient and organized as possible.
The idea of using websites to automate the majority of a volunteer organization came to me when I was doing research on how to better run my own online business. In a sports program, a website can be the main vessel for member communication, answer frequently asked questions, send out reminders, keep everyone up to date on their calendar, and so much more. I have a passion for helping sport and non-profit organizations run as efficiently as possible by utilizing technology. This may only be the start to alleviating some of the issues present in youth sports today but we have to start somewhere; and I have vowed to do my part.
What do you think about the youth sports culture in the United States? Did you have similar experiences growing up or a totally different one? I really would like to hear your opinion so be sure to post about it in the comments!
I can't wait to hear from you.
With love,
- Heather
Heather Brockell is a Web Designer and Copywriter based out of North Dakota, USA. When she isn’t designing websites or writing, she performs as a professional figure skater and singer in ice shows all around the country.
Want to hire Heather to create something magical for your online presence?