Kids sports these days can be exhausting between the demanding schedules, the hyper competition, and the mandatory expenses - it can leave families wondering if it's even worth it. Here's where i9 Sports comes in. By focusing on fun and good sportsmanship for kids ages 3-14 and convenience for their parents, their aim is nothing short of redefining youth sports. Local i9 Program Director and posse mom Kathleen Seifert takes pride in coordinating multiple sports including Flag Football, Cheerleading, Basketball, Soccer, Baseball and other Multi Sport programs in locations throughout Durham, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro.
Even if you didn't grow up playing sports yourself, you know they can be really beneficial to your children. The number one reason parents choose to enroll their children in sports, as cited in this poll, is that it benefits their health. A physically fit child is healthier and has more self confidence. Our country is facing an obesity epidemic and the best way to combat it is to get children involved in sports as soon as possible. But when burnout rate is so high it couldn't be more important to choose wisely about where you invest your time and money as a family. i9 Sports takes their job very seriously and works hard to make your experience one that starts your child on the road to health and happiness for life.
So if everyone knows that athletics can be a really positive influence on kids then why do as many as 50% of youth quit organized sports by age 12? When surveyed they say it's because of too much pressure and competition. Specifically 47% said because “it wasn’t any fun”, 29% said some teammates were mean, and 23% said there were too many practices that interfered with other activities. Also, 31% wished adults weren’t watching their games – they said mostly because adults yell too much, are too distracting, make players nervous and put pressure on them to play better and win. What a sad thing to hear.
i9 Sports addresses this head on by making parents sign a Parental Pledge where they agree to model sportsmanlike conduct from the sidelines. The focus for both the players and the parents is on fun, not winning or losing. The result? Happy kids, happy parents.
i9 Sports addresses this head on by making parents sign a Parental Pledge where they agree to model sportsmanlike conduct from the sidelines. The focus for both the players and the parents is on fun, not winning or losing. The result? Happy kids, happy parents.
They don't just give lip service to their goals of making kids sports fun again. They put it to work.
How? With their i9 Sports Core Principles, that set them apart from the rest.
"Fun: We believe that the primary reason children play sports is to have fun. They love mastering new skills, developing friendships, and healthy competition. We avoid spoiling the fun by focusing more on skills development and enjoyment of the game than on the score.
Inclusivity: That's our word for everyone's right to play and have fun. Our program is for everyone, regardless of race, gender, religion, or ability level. No child will ever be excluded by a tryout, be made to feel like they aren't good enough because of a league draft, or be cut from a team. We endeavor to play every child at least half of every game.
Safety: We believe your childs safety is paramount. As such, we background check each of the adults supervising your children and hire trained officials for each game to ensure that "safe play" is enforced.
Good Sportsmanship: We believe that learning to play the game is only half the equation. Helping children develop character is the other half. The value of teaching children teamwork, fair play and good sportsmanship goes far beyond the game.
Healthy Competition: Competition is a natural instinct. However, the "win-at-all-costs" mentality so prevalent in youth sports today is not only destructive to team morale, it severely undermines individual self-esteem. We believe everyone should be both encouraged and given the opportunity to make the most of their abilities."
How? With their i9 Sports Core Principles, that set them apart from the rest.
"Fun: We believe that the primary reason children play sports is to have fun. They love mastering new skills, developing friendships, and healthy competition. We avoid spoiling the fun by focusing more on skills development and enjoyment of the game than on the score.
Inclusivity: That's our word for everyone's right to play and have fun. Our program is for everyone, regardless of race, gender, religion, or ability level. No child will ever be excluded by a tryout, be made to feel like they aren't good enough because of a league draft, or be cut from a team. We endeavor to play every child at least half of every game.
Safety: We believe your childs safety is paramount. As such, we background check each of the adults supervising your children and hire trained officials for each game to ensure that "safe play" is enforced.
Good Sportsmanship: We believe that learning to play the game is only half the equation. Helping children develop character is the other half. The value of teaching children teamwork, fair play and good sportsmanship goes far beyond the game.
Healthy Competition: Competition is a natural instinct. However, the "win-at-all-costs" mentality so prevalent in youth sports today is not only destructive to team morale, it severely undermines individual self-esteem. We believe everyone should be both encouraged and given the opportunity to make the most of their abilities."
i9 Sports really impresses me with their aim to help kids succeed in life through sports by focusing on values that will help them in and out of the game. Kathleen and her coaches believe that teaching kids how to play the game is only half their job… helping them develop character is the other half.
A new value is introduced each week at practice, such as enthusiasm, determination, or humility. The team discusses what it means, like how you display humility "when you win a game [and] tell the other team members that they played a great game instead of bragging about the score." At the end of the day, the coach rewards the child who most displayed the value with a medal, reminding them that winning isn't about points but how you play.
The coach also gives handouts about what the kids are learning both on and off the field, and links to at home drill cards so families can practice the rest of the week. This keeps parents and children connected to what is being taught, and invested in the goals each week.
A new value is introduced each week at practice, such as enthusiasm, determination, or humility. The team discusses what it means, like how you display humility "when you win a game [and] tell the other team members that they played a great game instead of bragging about the score." At the end of the day, the coach rewards the child who most displayed the value with a medal, reminding them that winning isn't about points but how you play.
The coach also gives handouts about what the kids are learning both on and off the field, and links to at home drill cards so families can practice the rest of the week. This keeps parents and children connected to what is being taught, and invested in the goals each week.
One big controversy in kids sports are the viral discussions on the worth of participation awards, the premise being that if everyone is a winner, no one is.
At i9 Sports they believe in the growth of each and every child through athletics. At the end of the season, each child gets award, but it's not simply for paying and showing up. Every boy and girl has gained something that season, perhaps it was learning to pass to friends instead of always taking the shot, or not being hard on themselves when they lose, or learning how to listen, or simply overcoming shyness enough to making it out on to the court. The child gets a personalized trophy specifying what they have accomplished, because no two kids are alike, nor are their personal fears, desires, and goals. i9 Sports sees that and celebrates the unique victory of every young athlete in their program.
At i9 Sports they believe in the growth of each and every child through athletics. At the end of the season, each child gets award, but it's not simply for paying and showing up. Every boy and girl has gained something that season, perhaps it was learning to pass to friends instead of always taking the shot, or not being hard on themselves when they lose, or learning how to listen, or simply overcoming shyness enough to making it out on to the court. The child gets a personalized trophy specifying what they have accomplished, because no two kids are alike, nor are their personal fears, desires, and goals. i9 Sports sees that and celebrates the unique victory of every young athlete in their program.
There are times and locations to work with any schedule!
- Culbreth Middle School in Chapel Hill
Basketball League (Indoors, 2/7/16 - 3/20/16, Sundays, Ages 3 - 9) Details here. Register here.
Cheerleading League (Indoors, 2/7/16 - 3/20/16, Sundays, Ages 3 - 9) Details here. Register here. - Emily Krzyzewski center in downtown Durham
Basketball League (Indoors, 1/23/16 - 3/12/16, Saturdays, Ages 3 - 12). Details here. Register here.
Cheerleading League (Indoors, 1/23/16 - 3/12/16, Saturdays, Ages 3 - 9). Details here. Register here. - Herndon Park in SoDu
Flag Football League (1/17/16 - 2/28/16, Sundays, Ages 3 - 12) Details here. Register here. - Lowes Grove Middle School in SoDu
Soccer League in Spring (4/10/16 - 5/22/16, Sundays, Ages 3 - 12) Details here. Register here. - Rogers Herr Middle School in Downtown Durham
Cheerleading League in Spring (4/3/16 - 5/15/16, Sundays, Ages 3 - 12) Details here.
Register here.
Flag Football League in Spring (4/3/16 - 5/15/16, Sundays, Ages 3 - 12) Details here.
Register here.
Not sure what sport is best for your child? Here's more about some of the i9 Sports offerings this winter, indoor and outdoors:
Basketball
Nationally, basketball is one of the most popular team sports for girls and boys. It’s a great sport to expand your child’s coordination and self-esteem. i9 Sports basketball programs are designed to help kids learn the basics of dribbling, passing, and shooting the ball, all while learning what it means to be part of a team. For most kids, the ideal age to start basketball is between the ages of 4-5. The skills last a lifetime!
Flag Football
Offering all the fun of tackle football without the same risk of injury, flag football is rapidly becoming the youth sport of choice among parents who question whether kids should play tackle football. Patterned after regular football, teams run or pass the ball down field in order to score a touchdown. The primary difference in flag football is that it is a “no contact” game. Instead of tackling the ball carrier, defensive players try to pull the flags off the ball carrier’s belt. It’s the perfect game for boys or girls ages 4 and up. If your child wants to play football, why risk the injuries in tackle? Make it flag football instead!
Soccer
In a recent study by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), soccer was cited as the second most popular sport for boys and girls under the age of 13. Kids in our soccer programs learn the fundamentals of the game, how to dribble the ball with their feet, good defense and offense, and the value of teamwork, in a safe, “no contact” sport. While soccer is a great fit for all ages, it’s also a wonderful “starter” sport for kids as young as 3 years old to introduce him/her to team play!
Cheerleading
Cheerleading is an incredibly fun sport that combines several skills into creating a team performance that is never the same twice. i9 Sports teaches the fundamentals of cheer motions, demonstrating technical skills, jumps, dance, creative moves, and group cheers. They keep the safety of all children at the forefront, so stunts that require more skill are not taught at this level. After this program, children will have the needed skills to progress into middle and high school cheer programs. The i9 Sports team cheers for flag football in spring and fall, and in late fall and winter they cheer for basketball. Cheerleaders work hard but play even harder!
For more information on the sports, registration, and anything else you might wonder about go here!
Basketball
Nationally, basketball is one of the most popular team sports for girls and boys. It’s a great sport to expand your child’s coordination and self-esteem. i9 Sports basketball programs are designed to help kids learn the basics of dribbling, passing, and shooting the ball, all while learning what it means to be part of a team. For most kids, the ideal age to start basketball is between the ages of 4-5. The skills last a lifetime!
Flag Football
Offering all the fun of tackle football without the same risk of injury, flag football is rapidly becoming the youth sport of choice among parents who question whether kids should play tackle football. Patterned after regular football, teams run or pass the ball down field in order to score a touchdown. The primary difference in flag football is that it is a “no contact” game. Instead of tackling the ball carrier, defensive players try to pull the flags off the ball carrier’s belt. It’s the perfect game for boys or girls ages 4 and up. If your child wants to play football, why risk the injuries in tackle? Make it flag football instead!
Soccer
In a recent study by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), soccer was cited as the second most popular sport for boys and girls under the age of 13. Kids in our soccer programs learn the fundamentals of the game, how to dribble the ball with their feet, good defense and offense, and the value of teamwork, in a safe, “no contact” sport. While soccer is a great fit for all ages, it’s also a wonderful “starter” sport for kids as young as 3 years old to introduce him/her to team play!
Cheerleading
Cheerleading is an incredibly fun sport that combines several skills into creating a team performance that is never the same twice. i9 Sports teaches the fundamentals of cheer motions, demonstrating technical skills, jumps, dance, creative moves, and group cheers. They keep the safety of all children at the forefront, so stunts that require more skill are not taught at this level. After this program, children will have the needed skills to progress into middle and high school cheer programs. The i9 Sports team cheers for flag football in spring and fall, and in late fall and winter they cheer for basketball. Cheerleaders work hard but play even harder!
For more information on the sports, registration, and anything else you might wonder about go here!
Winter basketball, flag football, soccer, and cheerleading leagues
are starting soon so now is the time to register!
Try i9 now and use code SODU to get $5 off your registration
and see what the buzz is about!
are starting soon so now is the time to register!
Try i9 now and use code SODU to get $5 off your registration
and see what the buzz is about!
FTC required disclosure: The above post is a sponsored advertisement. Some of the content, such as the images, are provided by the pardner for my use. I give permission for this blog post to be used in perpetuity by the pardner as they wish. May seem silly, but legally I gotta say it. Congrats for reading the fine print!
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