4 Friday, March 2, 2018 brooklintowncrier.com Relative age shouldn't leave kids out (Part Two of Three) Our Brooklin Kids By Leanne Brown A Brooklin Toddler's Random Thoughts "Grandma broke the tv three times." Ally was born in January, made the rep soccer team and benefitted from more training and higher competition. Briana, born in December, was considered less skilled due to her 11 month age difference in development. For four years, while Ally has been on the rep team, Briana has been given the opportunity to hone her skills just like Ally but at a level appropriate to her relative age of development. Growth and development can vary greatly so relative age plays an important role in coaching decisions as a 10-12 month difference can have such a big impact on selection, participation and performance. Chronological vs. biological age "A child with a chronological age of 12 years may possess a biological age of between 9 and 15 years." (Borms, 1986, p. 5). Yet these athletes are often trained the same way and participate in age group competitions, which give early maturers the advantage in performance and selection process. For late bloomer athletes like Briana, although they train hard, they cannot keep up physically and are often overlooked by coaches. Early maturers, who have always relied on their advanced developmental age and, as a result, may not have developed the necessary skills or fitness, often leave the sport once the later bloomers catch up. Now at age 12, Briana has experienced a growth spurt and suddenly the added body mass and strength are really helping her game. This year, her skills and size measure up. She makes the team. This is in part due to Canada's Long-Term Athlete Development Program (LTAD) implemented by her club. The LTAD has guidelines to give all athletes the same opportunity with a "talent development" approach. Rather than trying to select talent by 10 years of age, the LTAD illustrates the importance of providing excellent coaching and equal playing time for all kids and sees where they land later. It also recommends coaches encourage their players to participate in multiple sports rather than specialization until the age of 11 to 15, using what is known as physical literacy. Who gets advanced training? So then, do rep teams play part of development? Given the number of star athletes who have emerged only later in adolescence, it makes sense to provide quality coaching, training, and playing opportunities beyond just the rep teams to any kids who love to play and want to get better. In many sports, advanced training is open to only "identified" players and it comes at a hefty price to parents, thus often making it a have/ have not situation. The LTAD model demonstrates growth at every stage. As fundamentals are mastered, the athlete can then progress. The expected outcome is for continuous, incremental improvements so that an athlete can reach his/her poten- tial. While sports organizations are ex- pected to follow the LTAD program, local and regional sports are typical- ly run by parents. Unfortunately, pa- rental attitudes, beliefs, biases, and experiences are not neces- sarily conducive to supporting the LTAD. Often young athletes are placed in the hands of the least-qualified, least-experi- enced, and least-paid (if at all!) coaches, exactly at the stages of development where qualified and experienced instructors are required. Local sports organizations can benefit from educating their leaders in the basics of child development so future sports stars may be develop at their own pace. Next issue: Does birthdate af- fect success in school and be- yond? Community Calendar If you have a community not-for-profit event you would like included in the calendar, please email it to editorofBTC@gmail.com with the subject line "calendar."Priority will be given to Brooklin events. Some editing may occur. Sun., March 4: 11 am - 6 pm: Hurry Up and Wait: Thinking about Thinking with HD In support of individuals and families impacted by Huntington disease Asking for a $5 donation at the door Visit: hscevents.ca/DurhamInfo for more information and to RSVP. presented by Jim Pollard and Bright Spots in Research and Dr. Tamara Maiuri Dellagio Hall, 1801 Dundas Street West, Whitby, ON Sun., March 4:. 7:00 pm - Brooklin Pub Quiz Night $15 per person for a team of 4-8. Teams of 6 are best. Team gets a platter of wings and fries and a mug of beer. Win- ning team receives a $10 gift certificate per person to the Brooklin Pub. All proceeds to Pulmonary Hypertension of Canada. Hints: 1. LEGO 2. Tripitaka Fri., March. 23: 4:00 - 5:00 pm (4th Friday of each month) Teen Leadership Council at Brooklin Library Whitby Library's Brooklin Branch seeks Teen Leadership Council members to share ideas & assist with special events and programs. Grade 9-12 students earn community service hours. Snacks pro- vided. No registration required. For information, email teenservices@whitbylibrary.ca. Mon., April 9: 7-9 pm: Shine On: An Exciting Event for Women "Real Women - Extraordinary Circumstances - Inspiring Stories" $15/person - $100/person for VIP tickets Deer Creek Golf and Banquet Facility 2700 Audley Rd. N., Ajax Email: shineonindurham@gmail.com Sat., Apr. 14: 11 am: Big Bucks Euchre Odd Fellows Hall, 42 Bagot St., Brooklin Regular progressive euchre. No partner required. $10 includes lunch and excellent prizes. Advance tickets only. Proceeds to Camp Trillium camps for kids with cancer and their families. Call 905-655-4652 Sat., April 14: 7-11 p.m.: Mayor's Com- munity Fundraiser Central Library, 405 Dundas Street West, Whitby Join Mayor Don Mitchell for an evening of food, friends, entertainment and music in support of the Mayor's Community Devel- opment Fund, benefiting local community groups, events and initiatives. Tickets on sale now! mayorscommunityfundraiser. eventbrite.ca $85 per person or $150 per couple. For more information, contact: WhitbyMayorsFundraiser@gmail.com Mondays: 6:30-7 pm: French Family Storytime: Children and their caregivers can join Madame Sue for weekly French Family Storytime! A half hour of French stories and songs, with a dash of English! Drop in at Central Library's Children's Program Room Tuesdays: 7:25 pm: Brooklin Toastmasters Club Practice public speaking at Brooklin Community Centre & Library. Contact John Johnstone at jajhj@sympatico.ca or phone 905-683-4439 or Patricia Romano at promano257@outlook.com or phone 905-626-7055. 1st & 3rd Tuesdays Community Care Durham (CCD) Basic Foot Care at St. Thomas' Anglican Church. 905-668-6779 Mon.-Fri. CCD delivers hot or frozen meals. To order: Karen Andrews 905-668-6779 Attention Business Owners and downtown shoppers! Downtown Parking Study Pop-up Engagement Session at Brooklin Community Centre and Library on March 9th, 9-12.