SJ Sports: Youth Benefit from Rec

Imagine a world without local sports. Imagine what life would be like without Marlton boys and girls gathering on nights and weekends with their friends to play everything from football to street hockey. There would be no booster clubs, no cheering parents and no place to go for many area children.

Youth sports give local children the chance to participate in something special, to learn the values of teamwork and exercise while spending valuable time with friends and family. Local sports have become a fixture in America and Marlton is no exception, with almost 7,000 Rec Council participants.

Kevin Gross is a 13-year old student at Marlton Middle School. Like many youngsters in Marlton, Kevin is an active participant in Rec Council sports. He plays football for the Marlton Chiefs in the fall and street hockey in the winter.

“I really think it’s fun,” said Kevin. “It really keeps me in shape and I love the competition. You get to compete against your friends and people from other towns.”

Kevin’s parents, Brian and Eileen Gross, appreciate the value of local sports for everybody that is involved. With children and young adults facing difficult choices each day, they are happy to see their son on the playing field.

“I think it is a wonderful outlet for our children,” said Eileen. “I think it develops discipline, responsibility and friendships. There is also a real team spirit that the kids have. There are a lot of things they can learn through sports that can help them with life.”

Participation is more important than the actual results.

“It’s important that children of all ages get a chance to participate in organized athletics,” Brian Gross said. “They get the chance to develop their minds and their bodies. They get away from the computer games and the television.”

Not only is it the young athletes that develop new friendships through sports, but the parents as well. Marlton also has a strong reputation of excellent sportsmanship from the crowds that cheer their family and friends onto victory.

“There are parents from both teams that intermingle during games,” Brian said. “There is a common feeling of support. It really never gets ugly.”

The parents and children aren’t the only ones that make a difference in youth sports. There are countless volunteers that work everywhere from the league office to the concession stands.

Bob Dusak is Kevin’s youth hockey coach. He has been coaching for seven years and loves being a part of something so important to so many people.

“It’s just a pleasure to be a part of it,” Dusak said. “The most fulfilling part of my job has been to watch the kids mature and become young adults.”

Sports is also a way for children to understand the importance of balancing their time — doing their homework and taking care of other priorities in order to make time for athletics.

“You really learn a lot about responsibility,” said Kevin. “You have to manage time for schoolwork, family and religion.”

Most parents understand the fine line between encouragement and overkill when it comes to getting their children involved in sports.

“The parents have to realize that encouraging their kids is important,” said Eileen. “They also have to be careful that the children don’t spread themselves too thin. The parents get them there and show their support.”

Spring, summer and fall; both boys and girls. It is hard to imagine life without youth sports in Marlton. Given the strong support of the community, it is a scenario that Marlton and many other towns will never have to face.

Content provided by South Jersey Sports Club.

For more Local Sports features, visit our Sports page.

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Author: SJ Sports Club-Ed Benkin