It’s time for a change in youth sports and Kingswood United Methodist is carving the way with a new basketball program set to roll out this fall.
Press Release
Sports & Fitness Ministry
Kingswood United Methodist Church
Youth Sports: Time for a Change
Mike Matheny, former pro baseball catcher and current manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, has started a revolution—a revolution in youth sports. “Change does not happen without people stepping outside of their comfort zone,” Matheny says in his book “The Matheny Manifest: A Young Manager’s Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life.” Matheny’s story has been reported and covered on “ABC News,” “Good Morning America” and “ESPN.”
And now the story comes to Kingswood United Methodist Church (KUMC) and the Sports & Fitness program directed by Elizabeth Ramey. Matheny’s story and vision for what youth sports can and should be resonated with Ramey after a particularly stressful season this past year, dealing with behaviors and attitudes she believes have no place in sports and athletics. As a result, Kingswood unveils its new basketball program beginning this fall, and it is all about the kids- not the parents, not the coaches—all about the kids. In addition to skills gained, friends made and joy of the game, team practices now include character-building exercises, led by coaches, who teach and model the practice of teamwork, sportsmanship, fairness, respect, self-control—and how to handle both victory and defeat. All of these skills can become life skills, and learned in childhood, contributes in a significant way to success and integrity in adult relationships.
In this new approach, teamwork is also practiced in the five hours of service to the community each team offers. Matheny believes “that a successful life comes from service.” KUMC oversees the service projects with guidance and direction from team coaches.
Most important to this approach to team sports is the commitment parents make. Each parent signs the “I Love to Watch You Play” contract, agreeing to be a silent source of encouragement during practices. Every player wants to hear parents’ encouragement and confidence and the words, “I love to watch you play.” Parents also agree to demonstrate respect for those who lead the team experience—coaches, referees, clock workers and scorebook workers.
It’s a new day for youth team sports. Are you and your child ready to step outside your comfort zone and make a change for the benefit of your child and your community?
For more information on the KUMC basketball league, or the total Sports & Fitness programs, please contact Elizabeth Ramey, Sports & Fitness Director, Kingswood United Methodist Church, 770.457.1317 (ext. 25), or email sportsdir@kingswoodumc.org
Kingswood United Methodist Church, a member of the Dunwoody community for over 45 years, is located at 5015 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, GA, 30338 and www.kingswoodumc.org
Contact:
Elizabeth Ramey
(770) 457-1317
sportsdir@kingswoodumc.org