Ikigai Summit 2024 Purpose & Play: Empowering Youth & Connecting Community Through Sport
Victor Johnson(CJHS), Dr. Julie McCleery (UW Center for Leadership in Athletics), and Mari Horita (Seattle Kraken) discuss sports as a transformational force for good. The current landscape of youth sports reveals significant inequities, with access and participation heavily influenced by socioeconomic status. This is a problem because sports can be a powerful catalyst for positive change. When done right, sports offers opportunities for healing, growth, and the development of crucial life skills. However, the prevalent pay-to-play system often prioritizes competition and extrinsic rewards, undermining the intrinsic joy and developmental benefits of sports. This model creates a situation where many children are denied the chance to experience the transformative power of sports.
Sports, at their best, are about connection, movement, and manageable stress, all of which contribute to healing and resilience5. They provide a space for children to learn about teamwork, perseverance, and self-discovery. When we shift the focus away from winning and towards intrinsic motivation, sports can truly become a vehicle for personal growth and community building. Organizations like the Seattle Kraken's One Roof Foundation are demonstrating this by creating programs that prioritize access and community engagement. These initiatives show that a collaborative approach between the public and private sectors can ensure that all children can experience the power of sports.
Key Takeaways:
●Sports as a Catalyst for Transformation: Sports have the potential to be a transformational force for good, offering opportunities for healing, growth, and the development of critical life skills.
●Shifting the Focus: The current emphasis on competition and extrinsic rewards often overshadows the inherent value of sports, underscoring the need to prioritize intrinsic motivation and community building.
●Equity is Key: Ensuring that all children have access to sports is essential to unlocking their potential and building a stronger, more equitable society.
Action Steps:
●Champion equitable access: Advocate for policies and programs that remove barriers to sports participation, especially for underserved communities. Support organizations focused on play equity.
●Reimagine the adult role: Parents and coaches can foster a healing-centered environment that prioritizes skill development, intrinsic motivation, and the joy of movement, while modeling positive behaviors.
●Promote unstructured play: Encourage opportunities for children to engage in free play, and provide opportunities for diverse sports experiences that foster enjoyment and discovery.
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Ikigai Summit 2024 Purpose & Play: Empowering Youth & Connecting Community Through Sport
Victor Johnson(CJHS), Dr. Julie McCleery (UW Center for Leadership in Athletics), and Mari Horita (Seattle Kraken) discuss sports as a transformational force for good. The current landscape of youth sports reveals significant inequities, with access and participation heavily influenced by socioeconomic status. This is a problem because sports can be a powerful catalyst for positive change. When done right, sports offers opportunities for healing, growth, and the development of crucial life skills. However, the prevalent pay-to-play system often prioritizes competition and extrinsic rewards, undermining the intrinsic joy and developmental benefits of sports. This model creates a situation where many children are denied the chance to experience the transformative power of sports.
Sports, at their best, are about connection, movement, and manageable stress, all of which contribute to healing and resilience5. They provide a space for children to learn about teamwork, perseverance, and self-discovery. When we shift the focus away from winning and towards intrinsic motivation, sports can truly become a vehicle for personal growth and community building. Organizations like the Seattle Kraken's One Roof Foundation are demonstrating this by creating programs that prioritize access and community engagement. These initiatives show that a collaborative approach between the public and private sectors can ensure that all children can experience the power of sports.
Key Takeaways:
●Sports as a Catalyst for Transformation: Sports have the potential to be a transformational force for good, offering opportunities for healing, growth, and the development of critical life skills.
●Shifting the Focus: The current emphasis on competition and extrinsic rewards often overshadows the inherent value of sports, underscoring the need to prioritize intrinsic motivation and community building.
●Equity is Key: Ensuring that all children have access to sports is essential to unlocking their potential and building a stronger, more equitable society.
Action Steps:
●Champion equitable access: Advocate for policies and programs that remove barriers to sports participation, especially for underserved communities. Support organizations focused on play equity.
●Reimagine the adult role: Parents and coaches can foster a healing-centered environment that prioritizes skill development, intrinsic motivation, and the joy of movement, while modeling positive behaviors.
●Promote unstructured play: Encourage opportunities for children to engage in free play, and provide opportunities for diverse sports experiences that foster enjoyment and discovery.
www.ikigaistories.com
IKI Conversation with Eliza Arai Carrington.
For more information on the IKI Network, visit: www.ikigailab.co/iki
Shift from Perfectionism to Learning and Adaptability: Eliza's early focus on achievement and perfectionism gave way to a more sustainable approach centered on learning, flexibility, and growth. She emphasizes the importance of responding to change rather than rigidly pursuing fixed goals.
The Power of Connection and Presence: Eliza highlights connection as a core value in her life, both professionally and personally. She overcomes imposter syndrome by valuing authentic human connections over titles and accomplishments, and stresses the importance of being present to listen and engage meaningfully.
Reflection and Resilience in Leadership and Mentorship: Eliza advocates for taking time to reflect on both successes and challenges, helping herself and others build resilience. Her leadership approach, based on the concept of “Yes, and,” involves balancing commitments with self-care and trusting in her ability to make thoughtful, intentional decisions.
Ikigai Stories
Ikigai Summit 2024 Purpose & Play: Empowering Youth & Connecting Community Through Sport
Victor Johnson(CJHS), Dr. Julie McCleery (UW Center for Leadership in Athletics), and Mari Horita (Seattle Kraken) discuss sports as a transformational force for good. The current landscape of youth sports reveals significant inequities, with access and participation heavily influenced by socioeconomic status. This is a problem because sports can be a powerful catalyst for positive change. When done right, sports offers opportunities for healing, growth, and the development of crucial life skills. However, the prevalent pay-to-play system often prioritizes competition and extrinsic rewards, undermining the intrinsic joy and developmental benefits of sports. This model creates a situation where many children are denied the chance to experience the transformative power of sports.
Sports, at their best, are about connection, movement, and manageable stress, all of which contribute to healing and resilience5. They provide a space for children to learn about teamwork, perseverance, and self-discovery. When we shift the focus away from winning and towards intrinsic motivation, sports can truly become a vehicle for personal growth and community building. Organizations like the Seattle Kraken's One Roof Foundation are demonstrating this by creating programs that prioritize access and community engagement. These initiatives show that a collaborative approach between the public and private sectors can ensure that all children can experience the power of sports.
Key Takeaways:
●Sports as a Catalyst for Transformation: Sports have the potential to be a transformational force for good, offering opportunities for healing, growth, and the development of critical life skills.
●Shifting the Focus: The current emphasis on competition and extrinsic rewards often overshadows the inherent value of sports, underscoring the need to prioritize intrinsic motivation and community building.
●Equity is Key: Ensuring that all children have access to sports is essential to unlocking their potential and building a stronger, more equitable society.
Action Steps:
●Champion equitable access: Advocate for policies and programs that remove barriers to sports participation, especially for underserved communities. Support organizations focused on play equity.
●Reimagine the adult role: Parents and coaches can foster a healing-centered environment that prioritizes skill development, intrinsic motivation, and the joy of movement, while modeling positive behaviors.
●Promote unstructured play: Encourage opportunities for children to engage in free play, and provide opportunities for diverse sports experiences that foster enjoyment and discovery.
www.ikigaistories.com
