Norwalk Warriors
Official Publication for the Norwalk Community School District ]
Page Eight
OVIATT ELEMENTARY
By Rodney Martinez, Dean of Students
• Sports and Sportsmanship
Children's sports should be fun, fulfilling and teach
good sportsmanship. Sometimes, however, competitive
and assertive adults can undermine these goals and ruin
the child's experience. The key is to make sure every-
one involved is supportive of the child and practices
good sportsmanship.
Here are some tips:
• Let children choose.
Make sure that your child chooses which sports to
try. Parents can unknowingly pressure their children to
live up to their athletic dreams or accomplishments.
• Encourage variety.
Getting tOO wrapped up in a single sport at a young
age may lead to emotional and physical problems as
your children grow. Also, parents who have invested a
lot of time and money in one Sport may prevent their
children from trying something new. A better idea is to
try a variety of sports and see what "clicks" all the
while knowing that your child's interests may change.
• Look for the right fit.
Take extra time matching your child with the right
team and league. For younger children, focus on leagues
that emphasize gaining skills rather than competition.
As your child progresses, he or she may want to regis-
ter for leagues that are more competitive.
• The coach is key.
Do your homework when it is time to match your
child with a coach by talking to other parents and chil-
dren. Concentrate on how the coach makes the children
feel, how much they are learning and how much fun
they are having, instead of on the win-loss record.
• Keep disappointment to yourself.
Every child feels down Wheffhe or she has a bad day
on the field or court. Do not let them feel they have
disappointed you. Remember that frustrated or disap-
pointed children need you toibe understanding and
encouraging. Also, try to avoid making negative com-
ments or even "helpful criticism" immediately follow-
ing an event. Leave a little time so that everyone has a
chance to get some perspective.
• Have the coach talk to parentswho are over-the-top.
There is often at least one parent who seems unable
to control his or her outbursts during games. Rather than
handling it yourself, speak with the coach. Ask him or
her to sit down and discuss how the negative actions
make other parents and children feel.
• Tune out game time criticism'.
Teach children to tune out criticism while they are
playing. Help them develop a mental shield, so that any
taunting remarks from the audience bounce right off
• them.
• Penalize unsportsmanlike conduct.
As in many sports, there is a penalty for unsports-
manlike behavior. Make sure your children know that
your family has a policy as well. Never allow your chil-
dren to get away with name-calling, dirty pla3 cheat-
ing, or acting out. Have firm rules in place and enforce
them. If the bad behavior persists, pull your child from
the team. Finall do not push your child. It would be
amazing if your child became an Olympic star or pro-
fessional athlete. But remember that the chances of that
occurring are slim, even for children who excel at a
young age. Encourage their ambition, but understand
that the main reasons to get involved in sports are to
learn teamwork, have fun, get fit and make friends.
He travels
fastest who travels alone.
-Proverb
• N/Warren Town and
JUNIOR GOLF
CAMP RESULTS
Norwalk Parks and Rec-
reation, along with Rolling
Hills Golf Course, recently
held the 2013 Junior Golf
Camp, June 10-13. Below
are the Skills Challenge
and Tournament finishers.
Also listed are the Special
Award Winners. Norwalk
Parks and Rec wishes to
thank the 20 volunteer
coaches and instructors
who graciously donated
their time and knowledge.
Special thanks to City State
Bank and Fareway for do-
nating treats for all partici-
pants.
6-9 YEAR OLDS
Skills Challenge Results
PUTTING
Girls
1st Lily Hughes, 2nd
Madison Smith, 3rd Emily
Juergens
1st Jaxon Stoulil, 2nd
Taylor Henry, 3rd Cole
Leggett (won playoff)
CHIPPING
Girls
1st Noelle Sutcliffe, 2nd
Hattie Dukes, 3rd
Courtney Snedeker
1st Cole Keller, 2nd
Cooper Hastings, 3rd Aus-
tin Gear
DRIVING
Girls
1st Sierra Chittenden,
2nd Kylie Keller, 3rd
Hattie Dukes
1st Taylor Henry, 2nd
John Judge, 3rd Braeden
Carlson
Special Awards
Most Improved: Lin-
coin Legget
Best Attitude: Nathan
Mundill
Best Sportsmanship:
Ethan Racz
10-14 YEAR OLDS
Tournament Results
Girls
1st Taylor Stanle 2nd
Madison W, 3rd Megan
Haase, 4th Avarie Hilton,
T-5th Alexia L, T-5th
Ashley Reese
1st Max Sutcliffe, 2nd
Morgan Henderson, 3rd
Carson Raper, 4th Nathan
Lane, 5th Max Juergens
Special Awards
Most Improved: Blake
Chittenden
Best Sportsmanship:
Carson Raper
County News
Thursday, June 27, 2013
|
q SCHOOL AND SPORTS PAGES b
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