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My only anecdata as a parent is my son's recent decision to join the cross-country running team at his high school. I've been amazed by the level of positivity

My only anecdata as a parent is my son's recent decision to join the cross-country running team at his high school. I've been amazed by the level of positivity and support of the team as a whole. The coach doesn't take any crap, but is amazingly supportive. One of the reasons my son joined was the experience of his very nerdy, overweight, non-athletic in any way, friend that joined the previous year. His friend went from not being able to run more than 500 ft to being able to complete a 2 mile run, with all members of the team strongly supporting him throughout. So far, my son has experienced the same things. It's amazing the effect it's had on these kids. My son is learning how to push himself and how much mental strength translates to the real world. i.e. Are you really that tired? Are you sure you can't make it to the end of the next lap? etc. What makes me sad is how few opportunities kids have for organized sports as they get older. By the time they're in high school, it's basically only for the super-competitive.

Aurornis 3y ago
> What makes me sad is how few opportunities kids have for organized sports as they get older. By the time they're in high school, it's basically only for the super-competitive. There are actually a lot of recreational leagues available once you get into college. My local parks are booked out all summer with rec leagues for various ages.
- Arrath 3y ago
  This is my experience too, it may take a little looking but you'll likely find everything from pick up basketball games to amateur soccer and rugby leagues, or hockey beer leagues.
- trogdor 3y ago
  In most larger cities there are even adult leagues. Seattle, for example, has an adult recreational hockey league that has ~2,000 participants across ten divisions of ability. If you can ice skate (and there are lessons available if you can’t), there’s a place for you on an ice hockey team. And if you’re not “super competitive” but just want to have some fun skating around a rink, you can do that any day of the week. Same goes for many other sports.

Aurornis 3y ago

> What makes me sad is how few opportunities kids have for organized sports as they get older. By the time they're in high school, it's basically only for the super-competitive. There are actually a lot of recreational leagues available once you get into college. My local parks are booked out all summer with rec leagues for various ages.

Arrath 3y ago
This is my experience too, it may take a little looking but you'll likely find everything from pick up basketball games to amateur soccer and rugby leagues, or hockey beer leagues.
trogdor 3y ago
In most larger cities there are even adult leagues. Seattle, for example, has an adult recreational hockey league that has ~2,000 participants across ten divisions of ability. If you can ice skate (and there are lessons available if you can’t), there’s a place for you on an ice hockey team. And if you’re not “super competitive” but just want to have some fun skating around a rink, you can do that any day of the week. Same goes for many other sports.