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Involvement in competitive
events such as athletics, speech, drama, music and 4-H, is a cornerstone
in most of our communities. We are a
nation that thrives on the participation in competition. While it is
often thought that such participation builds good character, it doesn’t
automatically happen. Just as a coach or leader has a plan for each
game/event and for the season, we need to develop an action plan for
learning good character through extracurricular activities.
There are many benefits to involvement in competitive events. The
very nature of contests is to push participants to do their best.
It is often only through competition that excellence is achieved.
Being on a team can also fulfill the need to belong, create a sense
of togetherness and build confidence.
As parents, coaches/leaders, youth and fans you can create an atmosphere
that fosters positive character. The competitive event is full of
opportunities to learn about respect, responsibility, trustworthiness,
fairness, as well as how to be caring and how to be a good citizen.
The purpose
of Great Fans. Great Sports. is to promote good character in all types
of competition for all involved. It is based on the six pillars of
character and the decision-making tools of the Character Counts! program.
Through learning activities, helpful tips, discussion points and other
resources, you can gain ideas to develop a winning strategy of good
character in sports for yourself, your children and your community.
Through out these
web pages you will see the term “coach” and “sport” used
frequently. Coach is intended in the broadest sense of the word. You
may be the coach of the baseball team, the speech team coach or a
leader of a club. If you are working to help a group of youth develop
skills through a competitive event, the information for coach is intended
for you. In the same way the term “sport” is intended
to apply to the sportsmanlike behavior of fans, participants, and
leaders.
We hope that you and other
members of your community will work together to create fan-friendly
communities where competition and good character go hand-in-hand.
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