Miscellaneous
In this Just Go Play podcast episode, Daryl Devonish and Taryn Lipschitz speak with Alex Knesaurek on: Why Parents need to get out of the way for kids to enjoy sports.After being born in Fredricton, New Brunswick and living there for a few years, Alex and his family moved to Melbourne, Australia where he juggled 7 sports at the same time. Alex honed in on Australian football and then specialized in soccer when he moved back to Canada. Alex shares his experience and journey through the Australian sports system and how it differentiates from the Canadian system including the family oriented environment that builds the atmosphere and love of the game.Alex shares insight including:The importance of a quality coach How parents insert themselves and end up hurting the experience for their kidsAdversity and resilience he developed from an injury that could have ended his careerAlex had 2 knee injuries in 3 years that impacted his path to a D1 scholarship and the advise his mom gave his after finding out his injury may have ended his career with soccer was, ‘you can sulk and pity yourself or you can work harder than anyone else and come back stronger and better than you were before’. Alex took this advise and coming back stronger than he was before the injury leading him to an opportunity at Dalhousie.Alex shares his advise for young athletes who want to follow their passion including:Set out clear and definitive goals that you want to achieve Don't forget to have funWork hard and remember that someone is working just as hard, if not harder. As Tim Notke says, ‘Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard’.Be inspired by the challenges Alex has overcome and his attitude (especially during Covid) around staying active and enjoying the game.Follow Just Go Play on Instagram @qualitycoaching to receive coaching insights and information. Just Go Play is the resource for parents, teachers, coaches, and athletes to understand how sports will help build skills for life. The mission is to help and encourage kids, parents, and coaches to enjoy sports and participate for life.