Behind the Bench:

While things have improved, especially at the school level, I still believe it to be true girls consistently lag behind boys in their participation in physical activity, depriving them of the health, social, and emotional benefits derived from sport.
I also believe girls face discrimination in sports participation opportunities and treatment of teams.
With the obesity epidemic throughout the province, and physical activity being a critical component of efforts to address this public health crisis, we can't afford the disparities in physical activity that deny young women equal access to the important benefits derived from exercise and sport.
Girls are getting the short end of the stick when it comes to opportunities to play sports, access to equal facilities and equipment, and are subject to stereotypes about their interests and abilities.
Recreation departments, schools, coaches and parents, must do more to eliminate the inequities between girls' and boys' athletics, and to improve girls' health, education and overall wellness.
Discrimination is seen in our failure to provide girls with teams, harassment of girls who play on boys' teams when no girls' teams are offered, poor quality of facilities, lack of adequate uniforms and scheduling of games and practice time during non-prime hours.
While some schools have taken steps to eliminate gender inequities in its physical education programs, there needs to be more public education regarding the importance of physical activity and girls' rights to equality in school-sponsored athletics, and increasing girls' opportunities to play sports at younger ages by providing more opportunities to play.
I, personally, would like to see the provincial government, through the department of education, require schools to collect data on school athletic programs and submit annual reports on compliance activities.
In spite of the above, in the past 25 years I have seen female participation in sports increase five times over. Young girls today are showing up on the field, ice and court in numbers unheard off just a few years ago. They're looking for the opportunity to be a part of something they love.
We need to motivate our younger females early, and that's where you, the volunteer coach, enters the picture - and what a job it is. At one time it was enough just trying to deal with your young players, but today, parents, other coaches, the community, and in some cases the media, are there to assist.
As a volunteer coach, giving your team ownership should be easy. You get no livelihood from it. Let's face it; your win/lost record isn't going to affect your ability to buy groceries.
You're there for one reason: to provide a safe, affirming structure that enables each individual to be successful, learn skills and develop character.
When I was younger and assumed the reigns of my first youth teams, I was fortunate I had a great mentor - someone who gave me a roadmap of dos and don'ts. While many of the roads have changed over the years, I still see coaches falling into the same potholes, and then struggle to get back on track.
It's always better to give this wasted energy back to the players. With this in mind, some years ago I decided to use my column to give something back after decades of coaching our youth.
Following are five pointers I wished I had known when I first started coaching. While many of these points can relate to all young athletes, much of it is more applicable to the female participant.
* Remember Your Mission: Your goal is to give these young athletes the opportunity to grow and develop through sports. Help them learn about themselves and improve their weaknesses. Let them know they're successful. Show them how to adjust to adversity and develop problem-solving skills.
* Never Personalize: The actions of young girls have more to do with themselves and less to do with you. Remember when you were their age.
What was more important, your friend's perception or your coaches? Face it, girls like to talk, which is an important part of their development. Set limits, but don't make absolutes. Give them room to grow, but keep the walls constant so they stay in the right direction. Set time in your practice so that they can socialize. One of the most important parts of any team is the ability to communicate.
* Give Them Ownership: It's not your team, it's theirs. It's not your record, it's theirs. And, it's not your championship, it's theirs. Give them the tools they need to be successful. Let them set team rules and the discipline guidelines for not following them. This is how they will learn teamwork, responsibility and discipline.
* Set the Tone: Young athletes will follow your lead. If you're grumpy, they'll be grumpy. If your head is down after a bad play, they'll put their heads down too. Your mood sets the tone. If they seem unmotivated, change the practice. If they seem uncommitted, reestablish your expectations.
* Set Measurable Goals: Go basic. If you have tangible goals every game, your players will not only focus on the basics, but master them. A child who feels success will want to feel it more. Set practice goals. This will help young players focus and measure their daily improvement.
Remember, someone has to lose and sometimes that's you. What matters is your team tried.
Remember, 'It's easier to build a child than mend an adult and an ounce of pluck is worth a ton of luck!'