Better Sports Parents

• Angus Reid: Don't Play the Shame Game, Choose Your Words Wisely & What Are You Normalizing?

  Former CFL centre and Grey Cup champion Angus Reid discusses the troubling state of youth sports, the business model destroying accessibility, and what it really means to develop champions. Reid, now a high school football coach and author of "⁠Teenager: A Story About Finding Your Way⁠," shares why he refuses to charge kids for coaching, how parents unknowingly harm their children's development, and the critical difference between being demanding and demeaning.In this conversation, Reid reveals his approach to building resilience in teenagers, why he quit football in grade 8, and the coaching philosophy that keeps kids coming back. He challenges the year-round specialization model, advocates for multi-sport participation, and explains why the real goal isn't winning championships -- it's creating high-agency people who can handle life's challenges.KEY TOPICS:The privatization crisis in youth sports and its impact on accessibilityWhy Reid coaches for free and refuses to monetize youth developmentThe difference between coaching to win vs. coaching to developHow to build real confidence (not false bravado) in teenagersThe danger of waiting for external validationWhy football shouldn't be played until high schoolCreating environments where bringing your best is normalizedThe power of asking kids what they want from sports🔔 Subscribe to Better Sports Parents for more conversations about youth sports, parenting, and coaching#YouthSports #Coaching #Parenting #Football #AthleteDevelopment #teenagers #SportsParenting #HighSchoolSports #CFLChapters00:00 Introduction04:18 The Current Youth Sports Landscape04:42 The Business Model Problem in Youth Sports06:20 Defining Success and Winning in Youth Sports10:50 Why Angus Wrote "Teenager"12:10 Becoming Somebody vs. Wanting Things15:46 The Difficulty of Being a Teenager16:15 Why Angus Advocates for Difficult Challenges19:42 Finding the Courage to Join Football in Grade 1123:41 Balancing Firm Coaching with Positive Support25:10 Asking Kids What They Want from Sports29:52 The Duty to Give Back - Why Angus Coaches for Free31:28 Parental Investment and Healthy Sports Participation35:35 Multi-Sport Benefits Beyond Physical Development37:46 Learning from Angus's Parents45:30 Post-Game Conversations with Kids49:08 Was Football Ever Not Fun?54:20 The Mission: Raising Better Youth01:00:33 Why Football Despite Safety Concerns?01:02:11 The Evolution from Contact to Collision Sport01:06:33 How Parents Can Identify Good Coaches01:09:46 The Unlimited Impact of Coaches01:11:02 Making Kids Want to Be CoachedResources: https://angusreid.ca/book-teenager/

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• Steve Kindel: The Triple Whammy of Youth Sports, Fears for Tiers & the Social Media Dilemma

  Former Canadian national team soccer player Steve Kindel shares invaluable insights on youth sports development through the lens of a player, a parent, and a coach. As Senior Technical Director for North Vancouver FC, father to NHL player Ben Kindel and Canada U17 soccer player Lacey, plus husband to former national team player Sara, Steve offers a unique perspective on balancing competition with healthy development.Among the issues Steve discusses in this episode:✅ The benefits and drawbacks of early sport specialization✅ How multi-sport participation develops better athletes✅ Managing playing time conversations with parents✅ When and how to implement age-appropriate tiering✅ The decision to let Ben leave home at 16 for major junior hockey✅ Why compete level matters more than outcome✅ The impact of social media and video games on youth sports✅ Cost barriers and accessibility challenges in modern youth sportsConnect with Better Sports Parents:🎙️ Subscribe for more expert insights on youth sports parenting📧 Share your thoughts and questions in the comments👍 Like if you found this valuableChapters00:00 Introduction06:18 Developing Competitiveness as a Youth Player09:21 Nature vs. Nurture: Can You Teach Compete?10:15 Understanding When Youth Engage in Sports12:53 The Four Pillars of Player Development16:22 Building Strong Parent-Coach Relationships20:52 Common Parent Concerns: Playing Time & Selection23:58 Club Philosophy: Healthy Lifestyle Beyond Youth25:51 Zooming Out: Long-Term Development Goals32:10 Tiering Young Players: When and How?39:14 Fluid Systems and Late Bloomers41:24 Removing Adult Pressure from Kids' Sports44:42 Steve's Youth Development and His Parents' Approach47:27 Are We Better Off Now? Accessibility & Free Play49:15 Connor Bedard's Path vs Patrick Kane's Path51:20 Teaching Kids to Miss Their Sport53:01 Multi-Sport Benefits: Soccer's Impact on Hockey IQ57:57 The Tough Decision: Leaving Home at 161:02:56 Fostering Love Without Parental Pressure1:06:43 The School Sports Debate1:11:07 The Biggest Challenge in Youth Sports1:15:32 Trying to Parent in the Social Media & Smart Phone EraResources: https://nvfc.ca/

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• Andrew Ladd: Fun is the Foundation, Relieving Parental Pressure & Real Mental Tools for Kids

  Former NHL captain Andrew Ladd opens up about the hard truths facing kids in today’s youth sports system and what parents must change to help their children thrive. From early specialization to unhealthy pressure, entitlement, burnout, and the myth of the “perfect path,” Andrew shares powerful lessons from his pro career, his parenting journey, and years spent studying youth development after retirement. He also details "1616" - a mental health initiative he founded to equip young hockey players, coaches, and parents with tools to navigate the challenges that arise in both sport and life.If you’re a parent, coach, or athlete, this episode will shift the way you think about growth, motivation, confidence, mental skills, and why fun is the fuel kids actually need.Topics include:• Why today’s youth sport model pushes kids out too early• The critical difference between development and performance• How parents unintentionally block growth• Why success is never linear• The emotional skills kids must learn to thrive long-term• What Andrew wishes every parent understood sooner• How we can rebuild sports into a healthier, more joyful experienceChapters00:00 Introduction03:45 Life as a sports parent with three kids04:30 Multi-sport benefits and free play06:41 The loss of Free Play for today's kids10:55 Growing up with inclusion and special needs family members14:17 The importance of modelling behaviour as a parent15:16 How Andrew's parents approached youth sports17:57 Falling in love with hockey18:56 His grandfather as his biggest advocate22:07 Being a late bloomer and getting cut from teams25:00 Playing the long game in athlete development27:35 Teaching kids what "hard work" actually means29:12 How coaches and parents unintentionally create pressure32:36 Career struggles and mental health challenges38:35 Getting help from a mental performance coach39:36 Introduction to 1616 and the buffalo metaphor45:19 Making 1616 accessible to everyone49:19 The car ride home after the game55:41 How tools from 1616 might have helped Andrew as a teenager57:36 Helping today's youth open up about their challenges59:25 How coaches can benefit from 161601:01:55 Advice for youth coaches01:04:10 Setting expectations with parents01:06:12 Stop directing your kids from the stands01:07:33 Social media's impact on youth athletes01:11:15 Identity beyond sport01:13:25 Biggest issue in youth sports: Early specializationResources:https://1616.org/

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• Will Loftus: The Power of Coaching, the Impact of Inclusion & Confidence through Belonging

  Will Loftus didn't start playing football until grade 10, yet he went on to win two Grey Cups and play 11 years in the CFL.In this episode, the BC Football Hall of Fame inductee and founder of Game Ready Fitness shares game-changing insights for parents navigating youth sports today.What You'll Learn:✅ Why starting sports late can still lead to professional success✅ The power of multi-sport participation for athletic development✅ How to identify quality coaches who truly develop young athletes✅ When (and if) kids should specialize in one sport✅ Breaking down barriers to sports access for all families✅ The difference between fitting in vs. truly belonging in youth sports✅ How to handle tryouts, cuts, and disappointment with your child✅ Why physical literacy matters more than elite performance for most kidsWill's mission through Game Ready Fitness and the Washington Kids Foundation ensures every child has access to quality coaching and mentorship, regardless of background or skill level.His message to parents: Be present. Be your child's biggest cheerleader. You are their greatest coach.Chapters00:00 Introduction03:54 The Impact of Youth Sports on Personal Development05:43 Parental Influence on Will's Youth Sports Experience07:25 The Role of Multi-Sport Participation09:31 Transitioning to Football: A New Passion14:48 The Importance of Coaches and Mentorship19:02 Football: A Game of Inclusion22:57 Founding Game Ready Fitness: A New Direction25:37 Expanding Access and Inclusion in Youth Sports31:09 Impact on the Entire Family34:35 Navigating the Modern Youth Sports Landscape37:03 How do Youth Responsibly Specialize in a Sport?37:50 Advice for Overwhelmed Parents40:25 Developing the Whole Athlete43:14 Building Confidence Through Sports46:45 Creating a Sense of Belonging48:52 Navigating Youth Sports as a Parent51:18 Trusting Coaches and Their Decisions56:00 The Reality of Competition in Youth Sports01:00:34 Finding Quality Coaches01:06:43 Coaches: Take Ownership of Mistakes01:07:34 The Lasting Impact a Coach can HaveResources:https://gamereadyfitness.com/

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• John O'Sullivan: Don't Make the Talent Mistake, Coaching the Coaches & Parent Accountability

  Former NCAA Division 1 and professional soccer player John O’Sullivan, founder of Changing the Game Project, joins Scott Rintoul for a powerful and eye-opening conversation about the biggest issues in youth sports today – and how parents can fix them.From “joysticking” kids on the sidelines to early specialization, car-ride coaching, toxic environments, fear-based decisions, and the loss of free play, John breaks down why so many well-intentioned parents accidentally harm their child’s long-term development and what to do instead.You’ll learn:• Why shouting instructions (“shoot!”, “pass!”, “go wide!”) steals vital reps from kids• How to build motivated, resilient, self-driven athletes• The difference between talent selection and talent identification• What healthy sideline support ACTUALLY looks like• How parents, coaches, and clubs can work together• Why “I love watching you play” changes everythingIf you want your child to truly thrive in sports — physically, mentally, emotionally — this episode is essential.Subscribe for more conversations with world-class coaches, athletes, and experts improving youth sports.Chapters 00:00 Introduction03:34 Why John launched Changing the Game Project05:45 “Parents losing the plot”07:30 The danger of “joysticking” kids during games09:28 What positive sideline support actually looks like11:29 John’s own parenting mistakes13:40 How John’s parents shaped his athletic journey15:12 The importance of multi-sport backgrounds20:14 Would John succeed today?21:28 Why early talent selection fails kids22:57 Talent identification vs. talent selection26:00 The most logical North Star in youth sports29:00 The death of free play & how to bring it back31:53 Phones vs. play: the changing childhood34:36 John’s coaching philosophy and how to create joy37:37 What coach training often misses40:00 Holding parents accountable in clubs41:58 How parents unintentionally focus on the wrong things43:50 “I love watching you play”: why it’s magic47:20 How do parents eliminate car coaching?49:47 John’s approach with his own kids51:56 The FOMO trap in youth sports55:40 Healthy coach-parent communication59:18 What responsible tiering really looks like in youth sports1:04:05 Why development must stay fluid1:06:13 Kids want to play, not sit1:08:10 The most common problems John is hired to solve1:10:18 The growing crisis of access to youth sports1:12:14 Final thoughts and closingResources:Changing the Game Project https://changingthegameproject.com/John's 2014 Tedx Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXw0XGOVQvw

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