Sports is a word derived from "disport," meaning "to enjoy yourself, especially by doing physical activity.” 

Youth sport as a business has undermined its purposes of youth athletics—to have fun and learn soft skills.

Poor adult conduct, including that of some coaches and parents, have injected venom into youth sports.

“To enjoy yourself, especially by doing physical activity.” That’s the Cambridge Dictionary definition of disport, a term seldom used that evolved into the more familiar word—sport.

Disport entered the English language between 1275 and 1325, deriving from the French word desport that translates to “amuse oneself in light or lively fashion."

That’s a reminder of what sports are intended for—physical activity that delivers fun and enjoyment--which was what the youth athletic experience is supposed to be about. Not so much anymore.

When properly conducted, athletics can also be an activity that trains “soft skills.” Competencies that enable work and social effectiveness, gained via constructive team process with coaches and fellow athletes. A few specific soft-skill examples include competent communication, goal setting, compassion, organization, and appropriate conduct, etc.

Forever life lessons.

All that has been undermined or completely obliterated by a current toxic youth sports culture, poisoned by involved adults, including parents and coaches. Those grown-ups have transformed a once rewarding pastime, infused with fun and life lessons galore, into an activity........

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