Are Club Sports Destroying Athletics?

The following is from Coach Pete at the Central Valley Sports Report site:

Are Club Sports Destroying Athletics?

I have heard many strong opinions on the effects club sports and club coaches have on the high school athletic programs. Some suggest that the Club Programs are undermining the High School Programs by introducing training methodologies that may differ from the high school’s approach. Others point out that high school programs are reaping the benefits that come from having an athlete that trains and competes at elite level club sports. It’s a fact that Volleyball, Swim, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Tennis, Soccer and Track and Field club programs have access to national as well as international opportunities that few high school programs can offer.

First let me say I have a great deal of respect for high school coaches. These men and women give hours of their time for minimal compensation to enrich our children’s lives. The debate shouldn’t be about Club versus High School. Both serve a necessary purpose in a student-athletes progression. In my opinion, the problem begins when programs hire what I call a stipend coach. These individuals take the job to make some extra cash to take the family to Disneyland every summer. This person is rarely invested in the development of college level athletes and never attends coaching clinics. Stipend Coach bases everything on what they did in the past and never wants to hear opinions on ways to improve their program or training methods.

On the other side you find the integrity coach. This is usually the coach that loves the sport and would gladly coach for free. This individual invests time and money learning the changing trends in their sport and ways to nurture their athletes and the program they represent. Integrity Coach educates parents and athletes on their process for developing elite individuals and teams. However, Integrity Coach is not always liked by everyone. This individual must be honest with parents and the athletes regarding their development. (Example: Your son is a 5’5, 145 pound cornerback, he is not going to play Division I football for Oregon). Straight talk! It is a concept used in business, but when it comes to their child, some parents hate to hear the truth. Integrity Coach tells the truth...

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