A Plan to Win - 9/9/09
Ah the start of September gives the sense of fall football is in the air.  The New Orleans Saints, the LSU Tigers, the Tulane Greenwave are all underway as are the teams from the St. Bernard Recreation Department.
With the number of players continuing to grow and the ongoing facility improvements, this year’s season has a great deal of promise.  The Hannan facility will host three fields, a newly constructed concession stand and restrooms, new fencing, and new scoreboards in addition to the newly renovated second floor Karate and community center at the Hannan complex.
But more than the fields and facilities, the improvements to our programming for the development of sportsmanship is one of our department’s most important goals.  As a way to assist our coaches, our parents, and our players, we have implemented a focus on skill development and a healthy approach to competition.  The goal is to create a recreation experience that goes beyond the score and calls that our amateur officials make.  In a time when young players see many elite athletes exhibit less than positive role modeling, it becomes even more important that we, their immediate community, establish a standard for personal growth and development that will last for years after their playing days are over.
Spectators can expect to see teams not only shake hands after the game, but greet each other before the game and see both teams and coaches gathering after games at midfield for a short post game encouragement session.  Spectators and parents can assist in ensuring these improvements have even a greater impact by following a few basic “to dos” after games and practices.
Always ask your player(s) “did you have fun or enjoy the practice or game?”

Always let your player(s) know that you enjoy watching them play.

Always point out a few specific plays that let the player(s) know you were interested.

Always listen to your player(s) assessment of his/her performance without debate.

Always redirect complaints of other’s performance or officials calls.

Always convey that your love for your player(s) is more important than a win or loss.

Always encourage your player(s) to keep striving to improve their skills to help the team.

Always keep the game, practice, and performance in perspective.
Remember that the most important interaction following a game and/or practice is the first 15 minutes of feedback from the person or people the player looks up to the most.  If we, as adults, can remember that there is a much bigger experience for our young player(s) that goes well beyond the game, their winning will be in life.  And isn’t that so much more important than the score of a little league game.  Win big!!!

God Bless,

Craig Taffaro, Jr.