| A grassy field, two nets, a soccer ball and | | | | I've been to many sporting events and |
| some playful youth is the ideal setting for a | | | | observed the common procedures for games, but |
| little league soccer game. You may have | | | | watching these children play soccer was |
| recalled yourself of a time when you observed | | | | interesting. Little leagues develop more |
| these little league events. You enter a | | | | than just growing children and their |
| spacious field of green, housing numerous | | | | interests; they build a foundation for team |
| miniature soccer fields all lined up next to | | | | development. The little league organization |
| each other, and young athletes running after | | | | provides a chance for children to develop |
| a ball. You may have been more overwhelmed | | | | athleticism and surround themselves among |
| by the abundance of children playing, rather | | | | their peers. While sports teams at the |
| than the actual soccer game itself. But what | | | | higher level (high school, college, |
| you can appreciate from this is the sight of | | | | professional) focus more on winning, little |
| children utilizing their endless energy and | | | | leagues seem to focus more at fostering team |
| their parents and relatives rooting for them | | | | development by giving youth the opportunity |
| from the sidelines. | | | | to participate in teams. |
| | | | |
| I attended my young nephew's soccer game and | | | | Team development influences. Children are |
| was amused by the organization of the event. | | | | easily influenced. When parents put their |
| The parents of both teams were the main | | | | children in little leagues or other |
| figures of managing the game as being the | | | | organizations where it involves being with |
| referees, coaches, and fans. His teammates | | | | their peers, they are educating them to |
| were not just boys, but girls, all of whom | | | | become good team members. Perhaps it is |
| were the same age. The young athletes played | | | | evident that parents put their children into |
| a first-time role of being on a team and | | | | sports when they are young. By the time they |
| practicing the basic fundamentals of soccer; | | | | are older and in their prospective sports, |
| getting the ball into the opposing team's | | | | they will have the experience. |
| net. Sporting the same color jerseys, his | | | | |
| teammates were easily identified as those he | | | | If you reflect back upon your own childhood, |
| should ally. The view of the game included a | | | | were you ever on a little league team? Can |
| hoard of young athletes following the ball | | | | you recall your team's name, or remember the |
| back and forth, their fans cheering closely | | | | color of your jerseys or all of your |
| from the sidelines, and coaches rotating | | | | teammates' names? You probably cannot recall |
| players in and out of the game. When the | | | | those little things and it's irrelevant now. |
| game was over, the players showed | | | | What might have been a lasting lesson of your |
| sportsmanship by slapping hands with the | | | | little league stint would be the experiences |
| other team. No matter who won or lost, the | | | | you have gained of the importance of team |
| young athletes seemed more interested in | | | | development. |
| seeing what treats they would get afterwards. | | | | |
| Overall, this condensed version of a game | | | | Stephanie Tuia specializes in internet |
| was more than just a scene of young children | | | | marketing for CMOE. |
| exhibiting their soccer skills. It | | | | |
| demonstrated their experience of learning | | | | For more information about CMOE's Team |
| team development. | | | | Development inside organizations, contact one |
| | | | of their Regional Managers at (801) 569-3444. |