I was reading the Western Australia's e-newsletter. They give all 12yr olds and under a backpack whenthe kid joins a team. It had soemstuff in it. This woudl be a great way to encourage kids here in the states. Has USMS or USA Swimmign ever done anyhting like this?
I know here it is really hard to get kids to stay through the season. ASlso, as soon as the Y's basketball season starts, many leave. It is weird becasue the Y runs both programs. Therefore, they don't lose out.
Originally posted by dorothyrde
Simply put, basketball is not as demanding as swimming, gets more recognition, so of course they are going to do it. Most parents would rather watch a basketball game then a swim meet.
Swimming is hard work for a kid, and it is hard work for the parent supporting the kid. You have to make it fun to keep them.
Um, you could not be farther from the truth. A kid that competes in competitive basketball is away just as much as a swimmer and the parental committment is just as big. Away basketball tourneys are as long or longer than swim meets, with the championship game usually late on Sunday or even Monday. They are also year round, as with swimming. The most competitive teams travel hundreds of miles away multiple times a year for tourneys. Basketball travel for kids is nuts. Having done both and living in a neighborhood with both, I can assure you that the two are equals in both time, conditioning and parental involvement.
Originally posted by dorothyrde
Simply put, basketball is not as demanding as swimming, gets more recognition, so of course they are going to do it. Most parents would rather watch a basketball game then a swim meet.
Swimming is hard work for a kid, and it is hard work for the parent supporting the kid. You have to make it fun to keep them.
Um, you could not be farther from the truth. A kid that competes in competitive basketball is away just as much as a swimmer and the parental committment is just as big. Away basketball tourneys are as long or longer than swim meets, with the championship game usually late on Sunday or even Monday. They are also year round, as with swimming. The most competitive teams travel hundreds of miles away multiple times a year for tourneys. Basketball travel for kids is nuts. Having done both and living in a neighborhood with both, I can assure you that the two are equals in both time, conditioning and parental involvement.
