Editor:
I’m sure we can all agree on the important role team sports and other organized groups play in the well-being and development of our youth, both physically and mentally. Led by the right people, such activities foster self-confidence, a sense of belonging and individual growth. They also teach valuable skills for coping with success and failure. Alongside school, they are one of the most important places where our children learn to interact outside of the family unit and help them tackle future challenges.
But none of this is possible without the dedication, countless volunteer hours, patience and leadership of the coaches, team managers and other volunteer organizers of the teams, clubs and leagues. These people are an extremely important part of our community and perhaps they themselves do not fully appreciate the impact they have on our children.
Our family had the privilege to be part of the Sunshine Coast Youth Soccer Association since moving here, which has now concluded with the opportunity of playing at the B.C. provincials before the kids aged out of youth soccer. This team of young men has been playing together for eight years under the leadership of an amazing group of people, including coaches Martin Blackwell and Mike Cowie and team manager Vanda Krutsky and formerly Marnie Marshall.
There are not enough thanks that can be given to these wonderful role models that help shape our youths’ future and make this community a wonderful place to raise our children! Next time that you come across someone volunteering at your child’s event, be sure to extend a thanks so they know that their efforts are making a difference and have not gone unnoticed.
Sincerely,
Katja Strauss and Ahren Bichler
