We live between the Past and the Future. Each of them presents its dangers. The Future tempts us to take lightly the Present, by fantasizing about what we will do “Some Day”. The Future can also reach out to paralyze us with the despair of the unknown, the fear of what might be. On the other hand, the Past tempts us to sit and stare at our trophies collecting dust on the mantle, or to splash around in our puddles of past failures. We must move ahead and to do this I ask myself, what can we do to help the young to grow up strong, vigorous, and happy? How can we act today to assure our Community will have the leadership to meet the challenges of the future?
There is no one-step miracle plan for producing the ideal citizens, but through athletics many challenges are presented to our young. Belief in athletic competition as a character builder, a physical conditioner, and an avenue for emotional growth is a foundation or beginning. The support of a well-administered athletic program fosters the Community’s most precious resource, the energy and strength of its youth.
Community oriented athletics nurture those hard developed qualities of courage, determination, self control, will be sure to develop when the athlete is repeatedly confronted with situations demanded of them and they will carry with them to their other endeavors.
Many meaningful by products are associated with “Youth Sports”, Teamwork – which encompasses a true compassion and understanding of your fellow teammate, Self Confidence – one of the most necessary ingredients in anyone’s success story, you simply cannot achieve anything without it, self confidence can only be acquired through exposure, you can’t buy it and you’re not born with it.
Another valuable lesson a youngster learns is the need to maintain a strong burning desire to excel. In connection with this desire, a youngster comes to appreciate two other valued traits; Character and Pride of performance. A youngster who possesses a strong character realizes that his/her destiny ultimately is their own and they should never give less than the very best that they have within them self.
In closing, I would like to share a thought which I feel sums up youth sports and maybe just a little more.
Craig Connelly
President, Lions Football
“It’s all a state of mind”
If you think you’re beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you won’t
If you like to win, but don’t think you can,
It’s almost a cinch you won’t
If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost;
For out in the world you’ll fine
Success begins with a persons will;
It’s all a STATE OF MIND….
Many a game is lost
Before even a play is run,
And many a coward fails
Before even his work is begun….
Think big and your deeds will grow,
Think small and you’ll fall behind;
Think that you can and you will;
It’s all a STATE OF MIND….
If you think your out classed, you are;
You’ve got to think high to rise;
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize….
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But sooner or later, the guy who wins
Is the man who thinks he can….
The Future lies before us like a spotless track of snow
Be careful how you tread on it for every mark will show….