“Are your kids in any competitive sports?”
It’s a simple question, but one that instantly puts me on the defensive. Because let’s be honest; in the past few years, kids’ sports have become increasingly competitive, to the point where competition – and winning – are the main undercurrents of the program. In fact, while both Ryder and Reid participated in house league soccer for years, we recently pulled Reid from the program.
It’s not a big deal. The team was fine, the coach was fine, but there was definitely an emphasis on winning – a slightly uncomfortable emphasis, if I’m being honest. One day, as I watched Reid, running head down and visibly frustrated, I realized one thing: it wasn’t fun for him anymore.
And kids’ sports are supposed to be FUN.
This past Christmas, both Ryder and Reid received their first pairs of ice skates. I know what you’re thinking – if there’s one sport that has a reputation for competitiveness, it’s hockey. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
McDonald’s Canada believes kids’ hockey should be fun. That’s why they sponsor more than 53,000 Atom and Bantam hockey players across Canada each year. The atoMc Hockey Program provides teams a full set of primary game jerseys and socks, featuring the Hockey Canada logo – the same worn by Canada’s National teams.
But what makes atoMc Hockey different? Simple. atoMc Hockey is all about TEAMWORK. Being a great teammate can be exemplified in a variety of ways, and in minor hockey these qualities are not always seen on the scoresheet. Cheering on teammates from the bench or showing strong commitment to the team during practices and games may go unnoticed at times, but atoMc Hockey believes it is important to recognize and celebrate these acts of sportsmanship throughout the season.
The Golden Moment jersey, which is provided to each atoMc team at the beginning of the season, is awarded to one player after each game who demonstrates the meaning of being a great teammate. The Golden Moment could be awarded for on-ice accomplishments, encouraging teammates, or by improving as a hockey player from one game to the next.
I absolutely love this, and will be seeking out house leagues in our area that are supported by atoMc Hockey. It fits in *perfectly* with how I envision kids’ sports to be: fun and collaborative.
Recently, courtesy of McDonald’s Canada, we attended a 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship hockey game between Canada and USA. Before the game, we checked out the atoMc Seriously Fun FanZone, an interactive area where fans of all ages had the chance to test their hockey skills and meet Team Canada alumni – all while taking in the experience of the World Junior tournament.
While the game was exciting for the boys, the FanZone gave them a chance to find the fun in hockey!
Will my boys go on to play the sport competitively… and maybe even professionally? Maybe! Until then, I have just one wish – that they enjoy the game, and use their participation as a way to build their skills, confidence and sportsmanship.
And, of course, I want them to have fun!
This post is sponsored by McDonald’s Canada. The atoMc Hockey program supports house league atom teams across Canada (excluding Quebec) and is the only minor hockey sponsorship initiative endorsed by Hockey Canada.
I could tell this post was ” sponsored” .. Or contrived by McDonald’s…
It couldn’t be further from the truth!..
While yes the uniforms are paid for.. There is not one difference between Atom hockey and all other hockey, maybe even all house league sports billed as ” fun”.
The emphasis is on winning.. And trading players two months into the season for the benefit of parents and coaches who don’t know how to lose.. Or lead.. Or both.
Hockey should still be fun , not a sport where kids are leaving devastated because their team lost or they were under so much pressur to win!
I would like to see McDonald’s hold some clinics to show people fun again , not just pay for informs under the guise of fun.
Or maybe visit some local arenas to see exactly how these teams/ parents/ organizations/convenors And league leaders really behave in and behind the scenes!
Kids need to have fun, I agree whole heartedly. In saying that, competition has been known to drive people to better themselves, as we learn from failure and mistakes. Does the atoMC program find that balance between competition and fun?
Great article by the way, thanks for sharing.
How can I get my son to be part of this fun team sport. He is 10 yrs old.
Thanks
Hi Cernette! Please email atoMchockey@gotoguys.net for more information on registration :)
I enjoyed your column I agree 100%. I coach a really recreation hockey program in a small town. I started with 16 now have 59 kids in 5 years. My program is simple and kids are first priority and winning is not a priority. At the beginning it was difficult for me coming from junior hockey and being competive myself. But once I got it through my thick head I have been enjoying the game as much as the kids. My kids are awesome and open up and enjoy the experience from the the moment they get to the right kind to when they leave. The dressing room experience and even family and friends watching is important to. If my program wasn’t there many of these kids wouldn’t play at all because of disability, gender or simply just starting the game at a later age. Good luck to your boys I hope they find the fun in hockey . Thank you. Coach phil
At such a young age it’s important that the kids have fun, and not to be pressured into winning and fighting, all that will come soon enough when they are older!
Can someone please let me know how I would go about getting my 10 year old son into this program? He’s an excellent hockey player and we would love to get him on a team. We live in the East kildonan area of, Winnipeg. MB.
Hi Whitney! You can email atoMchockey@gotoguys.net for more information on registration. Good luck!
100% this is a great way to give back and support the kids and getting them active!
Absolutely agree. Sports should be FUN for kids and not something that makes them feel frustrated.
Great article,i think it’s important for kids to have fun not be stressed to win
LOVE this post!!! I feel ya. My oldest is 4 and autistic. I haven’t put her in any sports yet, hoping when she is older she will have a better grasp at it and let us know there is something she would love to be involved in. We just recently enrolled our youngest who is 2 into gymnastics. We did this because she is always in the house and we wanted to start getting her out and socializing with other kids etc. Her first day was yesterday and jeez. Did I get a feel of competitiveness from the other mommies. it’s a program for 2-3 year olds. A lot of things the teacher was telling the kids to do I knew my youngest would not do … maybe in time she will but some of the things were crazy. A few of the girls you could tell have done this before. Teacher knew them by name, they loved gymnastics and knew what to do. When the teacher called one of the girls up to do a demonstration the mom cheered and yelled her daughters name out “woohoo go…” whatever her name was. You could tell she had a sense of satisfaction that her daughter was called to show people how it was done. only 7 more weeks of this……lol. I will try to not let it bug me. I am there for far more important reasons :)
I love that McDonald’s emphasizes teamwork as opposed to just winning. I love the golden jersey idea as it helps to promote sportsmanship for our kids!
My son played house league, all-star and was on his high school team. He loved the game and played or practice 5 times a week. He went to many 6 am practices and would not miss one of them. I would rather have slept in. I agree sports should be fun but kids also have to learn to accept losing and winning. Not all kids enjoy sports.
There’s so much pressure on kids in sports that it’s nice to see some that are focused on fun and not just winning or becoming a professional athlete!
Interesting post & comments!
I don’t recall hockey being as competitive as it is today, or any sports truthfully. With everything changing so much I’m glad we have big coorporations kicking in to help families fund sporting activities, for helping them learn to keep it fun.
It’s true that competition drives the best in people, but we should also keep in mind that we’re talking about kids here. Rather than performance, more should be focused on imbibing essential skills like team work, sportsman spirit, etc. Above all, kids should have fun while playing any sport. Hockey is undoubtedly great sport that kids can play & enjoy.
It is so nice to see kids involved in sports for the fun of it!
I think competition is good but there has to be balance and they kids have got to enjoy it.
I agree 100% that having fun should definitely be the #1 goal of any kids sports team. The “competition” aspect is taken to extremes in many.
My kids love hockey and baseball…it all comes down to the coaches and parents…it’s important to be role models, not put too much pressure on them and there needs to be consequences for bad behaviour, the kids or the adults. It isn’t always easy but I am determined that sports remain fun for my kids!
I love that the focus is on teamwork instead of such a strong emphasis on winning, particularly with younger children or those who are just beginners, learning the game, and are still developing skills. Keeping the practice and game fun and rewarding those who demonstrate what it means to be a great teammate is a fantastic perspective! Prioritizing teamwork and enjoyment is the way to go!
I like that it promotes team work, if kids can’t have fun why play sports
I agree! Sports are way too competitive now a days and it shouldn’t have to be, especially for kids.
Great article and so true
My son played all kinds of sports growing up and still plays hockey regularly…his favourite sport. He plays because he loves it and having a great sponsor like McDonalds would definitely help.
A couple of my grandsons play hockey and they really love it!
My son played in Rec Hockey for a couple years before he sign up for competitive. He loved it.
A great way to find out if they like the sport
Fun and teamwork are definitely the most important when playing sports as a child. Totally nice of McDonald’s to buy the kid’s equipment.
There’s gotta be a balance I think. It is a game and someone wins and someone loses and kids have to learn that but they are stil kids.
This is fabulous what McDonalds is doing…I love hearing of companies giving back to the community! They would be these big corporations without the people in the communities!
We live in a small rural town so hockey was always for fun with a slight edge of competitiveness.
Everyone loves to win but i think there is too much pressure on kids to win these days and you are so right,when it’s not fun anymore it’s time to move on.
Sports are supposed to be fun or their supposed to love the sports their playing in but in the end it is still supposed to be competitive as well, someone has to win and someone has to lose and if you take that away then what’s the point. So their supposed to love their sport but it’s also supposed to be competitive and winner & loser, besides that’s what life is all abou.t