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ISC Philosophy Regarding Participation in Multiple Sports for the Junior High AthleteEstablished by Jon Cook, the ISC's Director of Coaching, on April 20, 2005Note to the ISC Junior High Athletes and their Parents: The ISC coaching staff strongly encourages and supports our players' participation in other sports and activities. The lessons our soccer players learn from other coaches in other sports are essential to each soccer player's development as a competitive athlete. Furthermore, there is significant research that demonstrates that participation in multiple sports enhances overall athletic development. Moreover, some experts believe that specialization in one sport at too early of an age can potentially stunt overall athletic development. We also recognize that within each of the teams in the ISC, each athlete has different goals and a different perspective on their commitment to club soccer. We strongly support our soccer players in all of their endeavors in the interest of maintaining a healthy sports environment in the ISC. In order for the ISC to maintain the proper perspective on allowing kids to participate in club soccer and the multitude of junior high sports offered by our local junior high schools, the ISC must be flexible in regard to practice attendance during the junior high years. It is our interest to keep club soccer in its proper perspective. Each of our athletes are first and foremost students. Being a soccer player gives some athletes an identity, but it is not the whole picture of who our players are. Furthermore, as coaches in our competitive soccer club, we must recognize that our players take great satisfaction in participating in the junior high sports offered by our local schools. Because our athletes must balance strict rules with the junior high in regard to attendance at junior high sports practices, and due to the increased homework load that the junior high kids must complete in comparison to grade school, our coaches must be understanding when our young soccer players miss practice. Therefore, although we strongly encourage practice attendance during the junior high years, we do not feel that it is appropriate to mandate practice attendance for competitive soccer players in the ISC during the junior high years. ISC coaches are not allowed to set any rules for their junior high teams that would restrict playing time to individuals who miss training. The ISC rules guaranteeing a minimum of 10 minutes of playing time in both halves for all players, U9-U15, applies to the junior high players regardless of their practice attendance. Young athletes should not be forced to balance two sets of rules for two athletic teams at the same time. Such an approach does not demonstrate an interest in the well being of the student/athlete. Due to the fact that the junior high sports rules for practice attendance are strict, and I agree that they need to be strict given the short length of the junior high sports seasons, the ISC must adopt a more flexible approach to practice attendance. In sum, the ISC coaching staff is committed to helping as many young athletes reach their soccer potential as possible. If we were to implement rules that essentially forced kids to choose between club soccer and the many other great sports that kids can also participate in during these junior high years, our organizations goals would take precedence over the interests and well being of each individual in our organization. Such an approach would be antithetical to our player developmental and child centered philosophy. Moreover, such an approach would greatly reduce the number of young soccer players participating in the wonderful game of soccer. Sincerely, Jon Cook ISC Coaching Director |