Unsung Heroes

Monday, January 16, 2006 03:30 AM

by Jack deWit

Over the winter I have spent many hours at our local arenas watching three of my grandsons participating in the minor hockey organization. The attendance by parents and grandparents is quite phenomenal and these young children learning to play hockey must certainly appreciate the cheers and encouragement by fans.

To watch a child start at the beginning of the season awkwardly attempting to stand on his/her skates, using a hockey stick as a tool to balance rather than maneuver a puck, progress very quickly into someone that resembles a hockey player is gratifying to say the least. We praise these young participants for a job well done at the end of each session. Our hopes that their involvement in the sport will add to their aspirations in the future and help develop them into productive adults. Only time will tell.

Without the effort of the many coaches, assistants, and administrators this could never happen. It is the unselfish contribution of these people that have enabled my grandsons, not only learn to skate and play hockey, but also assist them into displaying good sportsmanship and becoming team players. These coaches, sometimes as many as 3 or 4 per team, can be seen at the hockey arenas anytime from 6:00 am to late afternoon, two to three time per weekend assisting these young kids to improve their skills.

In these times where security issues are necessary to protect children from those perverts in our society that would use sports organizations as a means to exploit our children, it becomes even more evident of the sacrifices these coaches make. They must all attend and pass coaching courses. Each individual has their personal history scrutinized to ensure the safety of the children.

It is therefore essential that we as parents, grandparents, and society in general must show our appreciation to these outstanding individuals who are so willing to help others. I have only mentioned one sport. There are surely dozens of other organized sporting groups and development institutions such as scouting, crafts, music, gymnastics, academics, etc. that require similar personnel to organize and instruct our young people.

To all those unselfish leaders in our society may I salute you for your efforts. May at least some of your students follow in your footsteps, for without leaders as yourselves there would be no activities for aspiring youths.

Thank you.

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