Former Oliver high school graduate Lloyd Thomas reminisces about old times as president of the athletic council. He attended the official opening of Southern Okanagan Secondary School on February 6, when approximately 1,000 people helped celebrate the momentous occasion.
Lyonel Doherty photo
Call me sappy but there is something heartwarming about seeing young men guide and mentor young children.
It could very much be the mother in me, envisioning that this act is the beginning for these soon-to-be-men to become caring and compassionate fathers who will challenge their own children to improve, grow, and excel.
That is what one may witness when you see the South Okanagan Senior Boy’s Basketball Team as they coach girls and boys, grades 4-7 every Sunday in the “Hornet’s Nest” right through to February.
The program is the SOSS Sports Camp, and the purpose is multifaceted. Maurice Basso, long-time coach of the Senior Boys Basketball Team, claims that “the intent of the camp is to encourage the kids to participate in a variety of sports.”
He explained further by stating, “the hope is that by doing this, the students will have a better skill set for the sport of their choice.
Over the last decade, I have noticed a decline in general fundamentals of basic skills. Of course, it goes without saying that ultimately, the SOSS Senior boys want them to have fun, be active, and celebrate their development.”
And indeed, there is factual truth to what this 23 year veteran coach is claiming. According to an annual report released by Active Healthy Kids Canada in May 2014, a study was conducted on the physical activity for children and youth to see how Canadians measure up to kids in 14 other countries.
The report found only seven per cent of 5-11 year olds in Canada were meeting recommended guidelines of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily.
This current generation of children are facing physical barriers that past generations have never encountered. “Screen time” as it is phrased, is one nemesis that has a gamut of electronic vices for a young child to deter and distract them from being active – that, coupled with our fixation of motorized transportation and busy families, has obviously had a negative impact on children’s health in ways that has never been experienced with past generations.
As stated on the Government of Canada’s Healthy Canadian website, obesity rates among children and youth in Canada have nearly tripled in the last 30 years.
It continues to list various health problems that is surfacing at staggering numbers in our young generation such as high blood pressure, heart disease, type-2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and other breathing problems. Emotional health impacts are as equally concerning and can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.
But it goes beyond that. The lack of play, whether before, during, or after school, structured or unstructured, is having a noticeable impact on our children’s coordination and basic fundamentals of gross motors skills.
Educators are finding more and more that children are lacking in basic elements of play and coordination such as catching and receiving, and effective mechanics of running and jumping.
So what does this have to do with a handful of young men who give up their time on a Sunday afternoon to teach the fundamentals of throwing, catching, running, and agility? Everything.
Our children need intervention, and quickly, in order to turn this medical calamity around. They need to get unplugged and re-introduced to what used to be the basics for kids – how to show sportsmanship which includes not just being a gracious loser, but a humble winner; how to contribute as a team and be a hard-working team player; how to push beyond what is comfortable, and into new physical boundaries as to reach potentials one didn’t know existed.
And if you asked these young men if that is indeed what they are doing, they may not even know it.
The fact of the matter is, that is exactly what is happening under the watchful eye of their coach, who, is having dreams of his own to have these young kids continue on the legacy of past Hornet athletes and teams whose accomplishments proudly hang on the walls of the South Okanagan Secondary Hornet’s Nest.
What’s coming up?
Wed Nov 5th – Advanced Poll Local Government Election 8am-8pm Oliver Community Center
Thurs Nov 6th-8th – Girl’s Field Hockey AA Provincial Championships
Fri Nov 7th-8th – Mixed Bonspiel Eastlink Curling Centre
Sat Nov 15th Air Cadet Christmas Fair 9am-4pm
Life is hectic and everyone is busy. Take the time to get out and about, and enjoy what is around you – you’ll be glad you did.
Marji Basso
Special to the Chronicle
