If you have visited the Rec Center @ Hilltop this summer, you might have noticed red banners hung from the second floor with a simple message – Enjoy the Game. A new partnership with RePurposed Coaching, the organization behind the banners, and the message is the latest addition to Blue Valley Rec’s sportsmanship initiative. Dave Francis started the idea in 1998 to remind parents that what they were watching was exactly that – a fun game.
“I remember the Enjoy the Game campaign being very effective in elementary and middle schools,” reflected Blue Valley Rec Executive Director Shane DeWald. “It fits perfect with Blue Valley Rec’s sportsmanship philosophy.”
Francis went on to a successful career as an advertising and marketing business owner in the area, but the mantra stuck with him. After retiring from coaching after 25 years, Francis is now a part of RePurposed Coaching, a team of local retired high school coaches who share their experience with today’s coaches while encouraging good sportsmanship in youth leagues. And his slogan Enjoy the Game is just as important today as it was all those years ago. The message on the banners serves as a reminder for parents and spectators that Blue Valley Rec is committed to maintaining a fun and positive environment of respecting one another as well as coaches and officials.
The program materials educate coaches, parents, players, and fans on their individual roles in youth sporting events and preaches that we should all hold each other accountable to these roles. The roles are defined as coaches coach, parents and fans spectate, players play, and officials officiate. It’s all about being a good sport and staying in your role since conflict surfaces when someone crosses over to someone else’s role. Whataburger has also gotten behind the sentiment, giving coaches Gotcha! Coupons valid for a free Whataburger Jr. to rewarded players who exhibit good sportsmanship.
With the support of Whataburger, all of the training materials and venue banners are provided at no charge and serve as a reminder for coaches, parents and players that Blue Valley Rec is committed to maintaining a fun and positive environment of respecting one another regardless of their role.
The four main sections of the materials address one of the roles mentioned above:
- Coaches will make tough decisions.
- Players will not be perfect.
- Officials must deal with controversy.
- All adult comments should be positive and encouraging.