Don't bother looking for high performing child athletes in New Zealand.

In June of this year, I travelled with my family to  New Zealand. We are spending 12 months down under, and during this time I am working at the Exercise and Sports Science Center at the Christchurch College of Education. My responsibilities (similar to my academic position at Eastern Connecticut State University) include teaching undergraduate students of Physical Education and Sports Coaching.

It has been interesting to contrast differences between New Zealand and the USA in the area of youth sports. There is a marked difference in just how competitive youth sports are (for reasons why, see the adjoining "Money, Sports, and Children" on this page). I recently caught up with a good friend of mine, a parent, who coaches his 11yr old son Adam for rugby.  I asked how often Adam practiced, and he informed me that practice took place once a week, for about 30-45 minutes. I couldn't help recalling the 11yr olds I had been watching the previous day on ESPN  during the Little League World Series. It is obvious these Little Leaguers have spent many more hours being coached, conditioned, and motivated to perform on the sports field. The contrast really started me thinking - was Adam an exception, or are Kiwi kids as hell-bent on pursuing athletics success as their North American counterparts?

Over the next few weeks my inquiries to students, coaches, and parents here in New Zealand - and to my American wife - satisfied my curiosity. Sport playing children of all codes (rugby, netball, cricket, gymnastics, swimming, track) practice far less often, and under far less pressure, than a good number of American children.

In my opinion,  Kiwi kids are fortunate. Regular  news reports out of the USA on aggression, abuse, and violence in youth sports (all involving adults: parent-parent; parent-coach; parent-official; coach-official; coach-player; parent-player) are nonexistent here. The high-pressure cauldron of youth sports has yet to make the 6000-mile journey across the Pacific. The parks and playgrounds (abundant here in Christchurch) seem more populated with kids doing kids' stuff - playing catch, riding bikes, running around. This happens when structured sports practices run only once per week, for less than an hour.

However, there is also something else not evident in youth sports in New Zealand. There are few exceptionally talented child-athletes (the USA has many). There are fewer opportunities for children to enjoy sports at a high level (the USA has many). Children miss out on the pleasure and fulfilment that competitive sports can provide - the satisfaction that results from single-minded dedication to a goal, hard work, and the knowledge of having given your all.

Hopefully, with a New Zealand dad and American mom, our own children will be able to enjoy the best of what both nations have to offer.

Note: I was born in Christchurch before moving to the United States in 1994, to attend graduate school.

Darren Dale
Guest Health and Fitness Section Editor

A letter to Santa 

Dear Santa; I am hoping you can give my 12yr old Jimmy his best Christmas ever. I saw these stats the other day showing the huge money our pro athletes earn (The 'big unit', Randy Johnson gets over $13million  per year - waa hooo!) Will you help me give Jimmy a shot Santa - a real go - at making the pros Heck, he's been playing ball for 6yrs now (the last 3 seriously). He's practicing a ton, lifting hard, has his own trainer, creatine shakes, the works. But he needs an edge. For his Christmas present, I want you to give him a trip to one of those sports academies for kids- perhaps the one in Florida. For $25000 Jimmy would be in! Two semesters, school only 4.5 hours a day, baseball, baseball, baseball, every afternoon! And I'm sure they will have someone there, a specialist, who could take a look at his shoulder - been bothering him the past four weeks or so. Anyway, I hope this is not too much. I've told Jimmy this could be his big chance.  

I know what you might be thinking. But please don't write me with the stats on how many kids actually make it to the pros. Sure I've read that only 1 in 30000 kids playing basketball in high school end up in the NBA, and only 1in 6666 kids playing high school football will play in the NFL -  but I'm sure the odds are much better in baseball. With all due respect big guy, I'm his Dad; I know what's best for him. Disregard the nay Sayers who bleat about 'too much pressure on kids'. I want Jimmy to have his chance. 

And please don't suggest that $25000 for less school and more baseball might not be best for him. Sure kids overseas are hitting the books hard - some Chinese kids study from 6:30am till 11 at night (sure they're educated, but where does that get them?). Ever known a doctor, a pilot, or a teacher to earn more than a pro-athlete?

Jimmy told me his dream is to be just like Randy Johnson. I told him "son, chase that dream, throw all your pitches into one basket - I'm with you all the way!"  Contrast that with the rather silly thoughts of my youngest, 4yr old Ben, who says he wants to be just like Santa. Just like Santa! I didn't want to discourage Ben, poor kid. But one day I'll tell him - sacrificing important things for an unrealistic goal  would be foolish. After all, Santa is very special, gifted, unique, one-in-a-million. 

Randy Johnson on the other hand - best pitcher in pro-baseball... now there's a realistic goal for any 12yr old boy.

Signed,

Well-meaning Dad.

Lawsuit against McDonald's

Are fast food companies legally responsible for the health problems associated with obesity? This is the question to be answered from a recent class action lawsuit filed against McDonald's, Wendy's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Burger King. Informed comments on the merits of the lawsuit are interesting, particularly the comparison to consumer claims against tobacco companies.  In Salon magazine, Megan McArdle asks sardonically if 'we can sue our own fat asses off'. This is another article well worth a read.