The presence of joy may be the difference between a positive experience and one the athlete would rather forget. In environments that prioritize joy, children participate with broad smiles. The sound of laughter is heard echoing from the fields of competition. Athletes compete with a freedom and confidence that comes from being fearless. They work hard, but it's evident they are enjoying the opportunity to give their best effort.

 

Too often we see the opposite. Where joy is absent, play quickly becomes work; the child burdened by expectation and afraid to fail. Instead of smiles, the faces of young athletes seem heavy with pressure. A team often lacks cohesion and the athletes often seem lethargic, as though they can't wait to be finished with the practice or game. It feels as though something is missing.

 

Perhaps that's because it is in joy where God feels most present in sport. It is in joyful environments that God's essence seems to consume the competition. We are reminded that our children participate in an activity intended to be fun, one where we seek to develop virtue and to allow children to use their God-given gifts to glorify Him. Watching a young athlete truly at play, it is as if nothing else matters but remaining in that moment, in that presence of God and a game He created.

 

No matter the age group, our programs should always strive to embody the connection between authentic joy and sport. At all levels, our goal is to provide opportunities for children to play, to develop skill, and to grow in their relationship with God. The ultimate source of joy is God, so if we use our athletic gifts to glorify him, then competition can exist as a manifestation of the joy we find in Him. Too often we believe that joy comes from winning a game. While winning is great, the joy we seek is not contingent upon results but comes from the approach and the journey of an individual or team.

 

Together we can make sure joy remains an integral part of our teams and the games we love.