| From playing little league at the local ball field to | | | | Interactive Inc. for Wisk Laundry Detergent -- found |
| hitting tennis balls at the park, youth sports are a | | | | that 35 percent of parents say their kids do not |
| great way for kids to be active and have fun at the | | | | participate in organized sports, even though 96 |
| same time. If they start early, they’ll develop | | | | percent of them see such activity as beneficial. |
| healthy habits that will benefit them for a lifetime. | | | | Furthermore, a full 87 percent of parents agreed |
| For parents who want to encourage their children to | | | | they are happy when their children get dirty playing |
| be active and get involved in team sports, here are | | | | because it demonstrates that they are living a full |
| some recommended tips: | | | | and active life. |
| Challenge - Set goals and keep challenging your kids | | | | Wambach and Ripken, Jr. both remember their |
| so they don’t get bored. Supplement | | | | athletic roots and the benefits they derived from |
| organized sports with outdoor family play time that | | | | being active. Today, both are committed to |
| includes new games they do not traditionally play in | | | | supporting youth sports. |
| school, or by updating a classic with different rules or | | | | One of the leading scorers for the U.S. |
| equipment. In all cases, be sure to incorporate | | | | Women’s National Soccer Team, Wambach |
| greater challenges each season to help grow skills | | | | started playing at age four in her first youth soccer |
| and confidence. | | | | league and credits her positive approach to living an |
| Choice – Allow children to select the games | | | | active lifestyle to this early experience. Ripken, who |
| and sports they play. This will increase the likelihood | | | | experienced many valuable life lessons on the ball |
| they will discover an activity they love and will play | | | | field, is dedicated to inspiring kids to get out on the |
| outdoors more often, throughout childhood and into | | | | playing field and have fun. |
| adulthood. | | | | “There seems to be a disconnect between |
| Compete – Soccer gold medalist Abby | | | | parents and children who want to get outside and |
| Wambach and baseball legend Cal Ripken, Jr. have | | | | play versus those who actually do,” says |
| joined forces with Wisk Laundry Detergent to | | | | Ripken. “We live in a different world today |
| support youth sports and improve community ball | | | | and it takes a real effort by parents to encourage |
| fields with the Wisk “Win A Dream Field | | | | their kids to be more active. It’s important |
| Makeover” contest. Communities are invited | | | | for parents, kids and the larger community to |
| to rally around their teams to win a field makeover | | | | actively provide the place, means and motivation to |
| and a visit from star athletes, or new sports | | | | have fun outdoors.” |
| equipment. This is the third year that Wisk has made | | | | Wambach, who scored the winning goal at the 2004 |
| the concept of a field of dreams a reality, and the | | | | Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, adds, “It |
| first year any type of sports field can qualify for a | | | | is hard to believe, but there are times when even my |
| makeover. | | | | team is asked to play on sub-par fields. As I travel |
| Go outside, have fun and get dirty | | | | the country, I am often surprised to see how many |
| In addition to a lack of quality facilities, parents also | | | | town and school fields are in disrepair. The condition |
| battle sedentary pastimes such as television viewing | | | | of the field affects the way we play and our |
| and video games. They want ideas to engage their | | | | enthusiasm and enjoyment of the experience, as |
| children in more active, outdoor activities. The national | | | | I’m sure it does for kids. |
| 2005 Wisk Sports Survey -- conducted by Harris | | | | |