Since the passage of Title IX, and the implementation of various rules in an attempt to balance opportunities for women, female athletes have had an abundance of college athletic scholarship opportunities. As parents, we all want to give our daughters a head start in life. In today's society a college diploma is essential to grabbing that piece of the American Pie. What better way of helping our kids get their college education than through an athletic scholarship. "But which sport should you choose; soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball" They've all become so specialize. The talent levels and athleticism of the young ladies in these sports are increasingly getting better and better. The lack of you spending 'full time', year round, concentration on one sport, could prevent you from becoming good enough for that sports college athletic scholarship.
Now be CAREFUL PARENTS... Having well rounded young ladies is important. Having many life experience is essential to having a well rounded life for our daughters. But...
Soccer has been the "Big Kahuna" here in the Vancouver area, with well establish and well run club and AAU teams and plenty of outdoor and indoor fields, allowing for year round participation. Soccer has the biggest number of participants. And of course coaches and organizers hanging the carrot of 'scholarship' over the heads of parents to get them to participate year round, keeps some of the better athletes from playing other sports, focusing on soccer. Softball and volleyball club teams also have a strong foot hold in the community. Of course that same promise of development to scholarship offers, and because there really wasn't too much of an outlet for girls in basketball, many of the best athletic girls chose those other sports.
Until recently, unless you participated in the Prairie Select teams, there really wasn't much, as far as good coaching and development or an opportunity to compete at a high level in the basketball arena. Recently there have been some other organization pop up, Storm Select, Vancouver Heat, and I believe Union HS and Mt. View HS are starting 'select, club' type teams and of course my team "Premier Elite". But still some of the better female athletes are going to those other sports, or are playing multi-sports and not specializing, because they started with those other sports at a young age.
So what's best. Young ladies deserve the opportunity to explore and see what they like best, what they want to be, and simply to try different things. Sports and non-sports. There is a time though when you have to make up your mind and focus, and I think it's about your sophomore year in high school, but that's only one man's opinion.
Strange statements coming from a parent that his daughter focused on basketball at a young age. True, I helped her hone in on her goals, then watched her live her dream taking her high school team to state, and becoming a full ride scholarship basketball player at a Division 1 school. Yes it's a great feeling, and a great accomplishment for her. Basketball has and continues to teach her valuable lessons in life, and having her education paid for is a big plus... But I would have been just as proud if she had choose soccer, volleyball or softball. Yes I'm a basketball guy, having played in college and coach now for the past 10 years or so. But my son, never played basketball in middle or high school. In fact he didn't choose to participate in sports until he play football his sophomore year in high school, but he jump in whole heartily and earn a football scholarship. I'm just as proud of him as my daughter.
So what's my point. That's is the point, there is no point "right or wrong". Do what you think is best. Utilize all options and make the best choice for you and yours. If basketball is your choice, throw everything into it and it will give back. Contact one of our local teams, and do it full time.
What do you think? I'm not a 'anti' soccer, volleyball or softball guy. I'm just a 'pro' basketball guy. And we are here for you.
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