Category: AAU

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AAU Cares: AAU National Office Brings Clothes, Water and Non-Perishable Items to Those Impacted by Hurricane Harvey

HOUSTON, Texas (Aug. 30, 2017) – National staff members from the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) will return to Houston, home of the 50th annual AAU Junior Olympic Games in 2016, to bring more than 10,000 items of clothing, dozens of cases of bottled water and various non-perishable items to those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

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Why Competitive Youth Basketball is Awesome

Competitive sports are often criticized and when balance is lost, it can be a bad experience for everyone. But Anne Josephson came up with 15 reasons competitive sports are worthwhile & helpful. I’ve summarize her list below.  You can read her full article here.

Focus on the Process & Less on the Results

Competition can:

  1. Drive us to learn faster.
  2. Teach us to bring our best effort.
  3. Teach us to manage our nerves.
  4. Help us conquer fears.
  5. Teaches us to take risks.
  6.  Teaches us to cope when things don’t go our way.
  7. Help us with goal setting.
  8. Teach us to play by the rules.
  9. Help us to learn to win and lose with grace.
  10. Be fun.
  11. Build self-esteem.
  12. Teaches us commitment.
  13. Give us a different community of friends.
  14. Provide opportunities for travel.
  15. Cause kids to perform better in school.

Josephson, in her article, provides back-story and additional information about each of the 15.

Bottom line, when keep in balance & with a focus on these 15 things, you can help your children thrive and develop in the context of competitive youth basketball. And if you have been involved in youth basketball for awhile you have tasted the thrill of victory and the pride in watching your children succeed. If success has not yet come, take pride in your child’s character to strive to succeed. It is preparing them for their future.