If you drive by almost any soccer field or visit many tennis clubs during after-school hours, you will likely witness a High Performance (HP) Academy during training.
Sports schools and academies have become a booming industry worldwide. Since professional sports now play such a significant role in our daily lives, many parents and kids are searching for the dream. Are HP sports a good or bad thing for young athletes and how should Catholic parents deal with the demands considering few kids ever turn pro?
North Americans regularly are exposed to world-class performances with incredible skills on display. These players have almost always obtained these skills through HP training. God has given all of them and us talents, and working to get the maximum return out of these gifts is a noble spiritual goal.
Ultimately, playing at a very high level also allows a Catholic athlete to be a great example for others. This can be an opportunity for apostolate or a way to impact lives for the better.
Other positives that come from involvement in HP is the formation of good work habits, goal setting, discipline, persistence, sacrifice, and health in mind and body. Learning to offer up challenges, especially injuries, is yet another bonus.
All of this assumes that we are doing this for God through his son Jesus. Unfortunately, I have often observed that a child’s HP participation becomes an obstacle to their faith; in some ways it is competing with going to Mass and the sacraments.
This is unfortunate and totally unnecessary. Our faith must come first — our sports imbued with our Catholic faith. In our family, Mass is never missed due to sports, even when travelling to a tournament. Kids must understand that our relationship with God is by far the most important aspect of our life.
Other dangers of HP are falling behind in school work, kids not being allowed to be kids, and reduction of time together as a family. Studies have shown the importance of kids having some unstructured time to use their imagination and to feel free, while having scheduled time with siblings builds lifelong bonds and traditions.
As a Catholic parent and professional coach, here are my suggestions for those considering enrolling their child in an intense HP program:
- Age: I would not put my child in full time until 11 years of age. There may be a great deal of pressure from associations and other parents, but you must let your child be a child. Don’t try to keep up with other families.
- Mass/Sacraments: Catholic parents must talk with their kids about priorities before embarking on this journey. Coaches may also have to be informed that Mass will never be sacrificed for a game. Prayer of thanksgiving after play/practice should be part of the plan.
- Family: make sure that there is a time(s) put aside every week for the family to do something together; it must be scheduled.
- Coach: Ask around about the right coach, one who has ethical standards.
- Budget: make sure you don’t blow the family budget. These programs can be very expensive.
- Review: Parents should ask every month or two whether their children are still enjoying the activity. Are the kids doing it for themselves, or for their parents or coach? Children are sometimes initially interested in an activity but don’t fully understand the commitment level and get tired.
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Grades: Your children should understand that if their grades drop, they may have to stop.
Watching your child grow to a high level in sport is exciting, but it must always be for God and with God.