Urban Teen Magazine Sept-Oct. 2015 | Page 43

In fact, one in four parents have seen a verbally abusive coach, and more than half of all coaches have witnessed parents yelling at their own kids or at officials. Community Campaign To Promote Sportsmanship Could Earn Youth Sports Teams $2,500 These results indicate that too often, parents and coaches have adopted a mentality that winning is more important than learning the core values of teamwork and sportsmanship. This has prompted a number of businesses, community leaders and organizations to work with coaches and parents across the country to promote camaraderie and goodwill among teammates and competitors alike. (BPT) - As fall arrives and kids return to school, both parents and young athletes will also be preparing for a busy schedule of youth sports. At such a time, it's worth revisiting a touching story from a youth hockey game last year that gained attention on social media. In this particular game, when three-year-old Arabella fell on the ice and struggled to get up, a player from the other team skated away from the action and instead of going after the puck, extended her hand and helped little Arabella up. It's a simple story and a simple act, but it embodies what youth sports are supposed to be all about - a life lesson grasped even at age three. "We believe youth sports play a vital role in the health and vibrancy of our communities," says Anthony Storm, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Liberty Mutual Insurance, whose Play Positive initiative was established to "pro