The sight of a verdant field, two goal nets, a soccer ball, and a group of energetic children is the quintessential image of a little league soccer match. You might remember witnessing such events, where a vast expanse of green is dotted with miniature soccer fields, and young athletes chase after a ball. The sheer number of children playing might be overwhelming, but the sight of them expending their boundless energy, cheered on by their families, is a heartwarming spectacle.
Having attended numerous sporting events, I found watching these children play soccer particularly intriguing. Little leagues do more than just nurture children's interests; they lay the groundwork for team development. Little league organizations offer children the opportunity to develop athleticism and socialize with their peers. While higher-level sports teams (high school, college, professional) tend to focus more on winning, little leagues prioritize fostering team development by giving youth the chance to participate in teams.
Children are highly impressionable. When parents enroll their children in little leagues or similar organizations, they are teaching them to be effective team members. It's common for parents to introduce their children to sports at a young age, so by the time they reach their respective sports in their later years, they already have the experience.
Reflecting on your own childhood, were you ever part of a little league team? Can you remember your team's name, the color of your jerseys, or all your teammates' names? These details might be forgotten, but the lasting lesson from your little league experience is likely the importance of team development.
Coaching a Leader
One of my favorite memories growing up as a child was making trips with my family to my sister’s volleyball tournaments on the weekends. Those memories are filled with being a part of an exciting atmosphere, sitting in the stands and watching the action-packed games. Along with watching my sister play, I recall two other players by the names of Christy and Liz, who stood out to me because of their athletic talent on the court. Over the four years of my sister’s high school career, I followed their volleyball careers as well because Christy was my sister’s teammate, and Liz was a player from a rival school.
Leadership Training Seminar - What makes a great leader?
At one point or another, we have all been either a leader or a follower. While both roles are equally important, a leader plays an instrumental role in providing direction for his/her followers. A good way to identify an effective leader is to see if his/her followers are able to support and accomplish what their leader is asking of their team.
Building Teams --You see it everywhere
A college football team has it. A corporation has it. Even a growing family has it. These three organizations share a common desire to build their prospective teams. For example, a college football team continually needs to bring in new players to replace the graduating players. A corporation builds its team to help it grow and meet the needs of clients. A young married couple who are having children are building their own family team. Each of these results has a different outcome. In the end, the goal is to work together, help each other, and collectively reach a higher level of performance. Whatever team you are currently involved with, it is surprising at how much organization is needed to build a great team. Furthermore, the following teams have their own equally important approach as to how they successfully build their prospective teams.
