Photo Credit: NAYS
We all remember the sports we played in backyards and on playgrounds growing up. The first order of business was dividing up into equal teams so we could have fun and an evenly matched competition.
Interestingly, that’s one of the continual challenges for recreation agencies these days, too—creating balanced teams. Only it’s become much more difficult with the constant flow of kids coming into programs. Some show up with lots of skills and playing experience, while others are dipping their toes into the competition pool for the first time.
Add in the parents—who are carefully monitoring every decision and, of course, evaluating which teams they perceive as having the competitive advantage—and setting up balanced teams can pose a real challenge for youth-sports administrators.