As I sat Sunday watching my son's football game, I realized how much youth sports means to a young child.
That is not to say I have never thought it before. Sunday, however, I thought it from a dad's point of view rather than as a coach. I have coached kids for more than 15 years now and I have seen the role it plays in their lives.
Some play because they want to; others because their parents signed them up to give them something to do. Many play because their friends are there and that's where they can hang with them and have some fun. Whatever the reason, it plays a significant role in their development.
From a coach's perspective, I have seen girls (I have coached girls' basketball and softball for 16 years now) go from shy and reserved to being outgoing and confident. The little light comes on and you can see that they "get it." You can see their entire expression change as well as the way they carry themselves and interact with others. They understand now that if they put their minds to it they can achieve it. If they work hard enough their work pays off and they can do what they never thought possible. Then the whole game changes and it becomes even more important to them.
Well, Sunday I saw it from a dad's point of view.
My son is 10 and has never been a kid who was very interested in sports. Last season was his first and, while he gave it an honest effort, he didn't walk away from the season knowing he wanted to keep playing. This season has been a little different. He moved up to the next division, called Juniors here, which is 10 years old through 12 or 13, I think.
He wasn't a "first teamer" and saw playing time mostly when the team had a victory seemingly in hand. About two weeks ago, he really started enjoying it more and has even sat and watched the Bronco games with me and understood what was happening. Then, Sunday, his light came on.
With the team up by a touchdown in the fourth quarter, he got put in at defensive end, which is now his favorite position. On three consecutive plays he had clean shots at the quarterback and he took them. Though he didn't actually sack the QB, he did disrupt all three plays and got his team the ball back. On the offensive side, he was placed in the tight-end position and made the block that resulted in a two-point conversion following a touchdown.
He was so excited with his play that he has talked about it all day and is now convinced that this is his game. He is GOING to keep playing and GOING to keep getting better. He knows he can do it and wants to do it - not for me or his mom - but because HE wants to!
I am happier for him than I have ever been before. I am proud of him because he stuck through it and found something that he can make his own.
Parents - get your kids involved in sports. Let them play. They may just surprise you and themselves.
Brian Flagg was co-host of "The Sports Page" on local public access stations for nearly five years. The North Adams resident has been coaching girls' basketball and softball for 16 years. His column appears every other Monday.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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