October 26, 2007
Before Little Mulberry Park opened, we’d spend time at the Dacula park. It seemed like every time we were there, some kind of athletic activity was happening. Kids were playing baseball, practicing in the batting cages, having swim meets at the pool, etc. I just assumed the county ran all the athletic events. Little did I know how wrong I was.
Working on the November article about Peachtree Ridge Youth Athletic Association was an eye opener. You know all those athletic events you see at parks around the county? They’re all run by volunteer athletic associations. Unpaid volunteers who spend many, many hours a week organizing the sports events. The county furnishes the park and a few other things but everything else is up to the various athletic associations.
Talk about dedication to our youth. Make sure you read this month’s article to find out more about the PRYAA.
October 3, 2007
“It is estimated that half of all organized sports-related injuries among children can be prevented.” www.safekids.org.
While working on the feature article for the premier issue of Gwinnett Park Life, it seemed like I kept hearing, reading, observing, etc. that kids today are playing too much of one sport too soon. I’ve heard of 6 year old’s that practice six nights a week for their sport! Extreme? I certainly think so.
Several of the doctors I interviewed said they are seeing more young patients with overuse injuries…some of those kids are undergoing major surgeries that in past years were only done on professional (adult) athletes.
What happened to kids playing sports strictly as recreation? Are there too many younger kids playing the same sport year round? Are some young athletes the product of overzealous parents? Has practice become too much of a good thing?
What do you think?
