Abbie Dymond, Managing Editor
@abbiedcourant
The synergy between high school sports teams and youth programs fosters a community of growth, encouragement, and legacy. Through connection with youth programs, varsity players can mentor and teach young athletes, creating lasting bonds that ensure the continuance of a tight-knit sports community.
Various varsity teams get involved with the youth programs through participating in youth camps. “The high school provides multiple clinics for the young girls to come and work with myself and some high schoolers,” varsity field hockey coach Megan Cunningham said. “We are looking to build a supporting community that views the field hockey programs as one.”
Similarly, the soccer team interacts with the youth soccer program by running camps and participating in events to form meaningful connections with the youth players. “We had a kickstarter event, which is a really fun night where we have pizza and play games with the younger kids,” senior soccer captain Devon Russell said.
High schoolers connecting with the youth players through camps allows them to mentor the younger athletes. “By strengthening these connections, the high school coaches will have a better relationship with the young girls and be able to help give them the proper tools needed to be successful at the high school level,” Coach Cunningham said. “Overall, I think having the high school girls involved makes the young players more excited about field hockey and being able to work with such great athletes.”
Working with younger athletes is a full-circle experience for many seniors. “Many of us remember when we were younger and how we would look up to the older kids and be excited to one day be able to be on the varsity team,” Devon said. “Now, being in that position as an older girl, especially a senior, I think it’s really fun to see how excited the younger kids are to see you and play soccer with you, and it’s a really special connection that we have.”
Another way maintaining a connection with the youth program proves to be a full-circle moment is through having mentors. “My younger brother has told me that his friends have asked about me before, which is kind of crazy to think about because I don’t see myself that way,” senior football captain Alex Benevento said. “I’m just playing the game I love and have played since I was six or seven. It’s full circle because I had looked up to those older kids the same way my younger brother has said that he looks up to me and to other kids on the team. It puts everything into perspective.”
Having older players to look up to provides younger players with role models, and they are able to learn from the varsity players. “Young players will get more coaching by players that are actively involved in the sport and can provide them with a lot of help for their development,” Coach Cunningham said.
Not only does a connection excite younger players to play at the high school level, but it also leaves a legacy of a strong work ethic. “When the younger players see us and the way that we work, they are then able to replicate it and understand the standards that we have,” Alex said. “It also shows them what they need to do to reach these standards because we came up through the same system.”
Alex also noted that the relationship the younger athletes establish with the older ones is significant because it adds a more meaningful connection to the sport. “My older brother played on the football team, and I always wanted to be like him and play on the team as well,” Alex said. I think it’s important to have that connection because those kids do look up to you, and if you’re kind to them, you establish those relationships, making them love football even more.”
Maintaining a solid relationship between younger and varsity athletes benefits both teams and strengthens the program. “Building an intertwined program is the best way to share the joy of the game and build a successful program,” Coach Megan said.
