The Class Athlete Podcast is hosted by the founder of The Class Athlete youth sports athletic league, Roy Bova along with Co-host Patrick Sirmeyer. Roy has over 20 years of experience in running and operating youth sports leagues where he and his team have placed emphasis on the devlopment of children to grow and become individuals of strong character, discipline and athletic abilities. In this podcast series, Roy and Patrick interview coaches, parents and former athletes to dig into the details of what is take to raise a first class child through sports.
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The Class Athlete Podcast is hosted by the founder of The Class Athlete youth sports athletic league, Roy Bova along with Co-host Patrick Sirmeyer. Roy has over 20 years of experience in running and operating youth sports leagues where he and his team have placed emphasis on the devlopment of children to grow and become individuals of strong character, discipline and athletic abilities. In this podcast series, Roy and Patrick interview coaches, parents and former athletes to dig into the details of what is take to raise a first class child through sports.
E38 - 2025 - The day I stopped coaching the joy out of my kid - guest Joey Elston
The Class Athlete
1 hour 2 minutes 32 seconds
4 months ago
E38 - 2025 - The day I stopped coaching the joy out of my kid - guest Joey Elston
Summary
In this engaging conversation, Patrick Sirmeyer and Joey Elston delve into the complexities of youth sports, discussing the balance between competition and development, the challenges of parenting young athletes, and the importance of fostering a love for the game. They share personal anecdotes about coaching experiences, the pressures of youth sports, and the significance of creating a supportive environment for children to thrive. The discussion also touches on the transition from recreational to competitive sports and the impact of family dynamics on young athletes' experiences.
Takeaways
Youth sports can be fun but often lead to overcommitment.Finding balance is crucial for families involved in sports.Coaching experiences can teach valuable lessons about development.Winning should not overshadow the importance of skill growth.Parents need to learn when to step back and let kids play.The transition to competitive sports can be challenging for families.It's important to create a supportive environment for young athletes.Kids need to experience both winning and losing to grow.Engaging in sports should be about enjoyment, not just competition.Parents should model healthy habits and interests outside of sports.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Youth Sports Dynamics06:02 Navigating Youth Sports Commitments11:56 Lessons from Coaching Youth Baseball17:46 Transitioning to Competitive Baseball23:50 Balancing Family Life and Sports29:47 Finding Joy in the Game31:45 Navigating Youth Sports and Parental Expectations35:53 The Balance of Play and Competition44:27 The Importance of Hard Work and Commitment51:32 Reflections on Childhood and Modern Parenting56:26 Creating Opportunities for Youth Engagement
The Class Athlete
The Class Athlete Podcast is hosted by the founder of The Class Athlete youth sports athletic league, Roy Bova along with Co-host Patrick Sirmeyer. Roy has over 20 years of experience in running and operating youth sports leagues where he and his team have placed emphasis on the devlopment of children to grow and become individuals of strong character, discipline and athletic abilities. In this podcast series, Roy and Patrick interview coaches, parents and former athletes to dig into the details of what is take to raise a first class child through sports.
