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John O'Sullivan - Changing the Game
2014-11-20
Why do children play sports...and why do they quit?
If you have a son or daughter involved in soccer, or any other sport for that matter, you will want to watch John O'Sullivan's recent presentation on TED Talks entitled:"Changing The Game In Youth Sports"
http://changingthegameproject.com/changing-the-game-in-youth-sports/
Originally from New York, John O'Sullivan is a 1994 graduate of Fordham University, where he played soccer and was team captain as a senior, and a member of the 1990 Patriot League Championship team.
After a stint playing professionally for the Wilmington (NC) Hammerheads of the USL, John began his coaching career as the Varsity Boys Soccer Coach at Cardinal Gibbons HS in Raleigh, NC. He then moved on to become the Assistant Men’s and Women’s Soccer Coach at the University of Vermont, before delving into the world of youth club soccer. Since that time, John has worked as a Director of Coaching for Nordic Spirit SC (Vt), Ann Arbor Youth Soccer Association (MI) and most recently as the Executive Director of Oregon Rush Soccer Club in Bend, OR.
John is currently the Central Oregon Regional Training Center Director for the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer. He holds his USSF A License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, and US Youth Soccer National Youth Coaching License.
http://changingthegameproject.com/changing-the-game-in-youth-sports/
Some takeaways:
- The single greatest effect on performance is an athlete’s state of mind
- Youth sports used to be about children competing against other children; now it is often adults competing against other adults through their children
- Children play sports because it is fun; winning comes in way down the list
- Children quit sports when they don’t get to play, and when winning becomes more important than enjoyment
- 90% of children would rather play on a losing team than sit the bench on a winning team
- Competition is important, but being competitive comes from putting the needs and priorities of our children first
- We can all start changing youth sports for the better by learning five simple words (watch to learn what they are)
Originally from New York, John O'Sullivan is a 1994 graduate of Fordham University, where he played soccer and was team captain as a senior, and a member of the 1990 Patriot League Championship team.
After a stint playing professionally for the Wilmington (NC) Hammerheads of the USL, John began his coaching career as the Varsity Boys Soccer Coach at Cardinal Gibbons HS in Raleigh, NC. He then moved on to become the Assistant Men’s and Women’s Soccer Coach at the University of Vermont, before delving into the world of youth club soccer. Since that time, John has worked as a Director of Coaching for Nordic Spirit SC (Vt), Ann Arbor Youth Soccer Association (MI) and most recently as the Executive Director of Oregon Rush Soccer Club in Bend, OR.
John is currently the Central Oregon Regional Training Center Director for the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer. He holds his USSF A License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, and US Youth Soccer National Youth Coaching License.