By Constantinos Massonos, APC Sports Consulting, Nicosia, Cyprus
The time comes when parents have to decide, along with their child, which educational path they will follow, and that decision can greatly determine their child’s future life!
But, equally important for the child’s long-term happiness and prosperity, is their physical well-being, which can be achieved through their participation in sport.
Participation in sport not only improves physical health, but also can help children to develop their social skills, by making friends, building self-esteem and confidence and thereby prepare them for the competitive environment that they will face as adults out in the real world.
Children develop physically and mentally at different rates, so there are different expert opinions on what is the most appropriate age for children’s participation in sport.
In general, children before the age of six do not have the basic motor skills to participate in organised sport, so parents should direct them towards activities that focus on working on basic skills, such as: running, jumping, swimming, throwing and catching. After the age of six, children will have developed the basic motor skills that allow them to participate in organised sports, such as soccer, baseball or martial arts.
After the age of ten, children will be ready to participate in more complex sports that require complex motor skills, teamwork and adapting to strategies.
Choosing the most appropriate sport for your child, at any age, will depend upon a number of factors:
If your child shows a remarkable appetite and talent for sport that does not necessarily mean that they are destined to compete professionally at the highest level or sign a lucrative contract. Being realistic about your child’s chances of making a living by professionally competing in any sport is one of the greatest services that you can offer them. According to the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), fewer than 2% of college athletes go on to become professional athletes, something that highlights the importance of education that will prepare them for their professional life after college.
No matter how talented your child is in any sport, your choices and support are critical for them to have the best chance to both enjoy and succeed in sport.
Also, as regards college sport, professional legal advice on any contracts, especially those relating to scholarships, that they are asked to sign, will be required.
For more information see: ‘www.moneysmartathlete.com’
Sports Law & Taxation features: articles; comparative surveys; commentaries on topical sports legal and tax issues and documentation.
The unique feature of Sports Law & Taxation is that this Journal combines up-to-date valuable and must-have information on the legal and tax aspects of sport and their interrelationships.
Global Sports Law and Taxation Reports feature: articles; comparative surveys; commentaries on topical sports legal and tax issues and documentation.
The unique feature of Global Sports Law and Taxation Reports is that this Journal combines for the first time up to-date valuable and must-have information on the legal and tax aspects of sport and their interrelationships.
The editors of the Journal Sports Law & Taxation are Professor Ian Blackshaw and Dr Rijkele Betten, with specialist contributions from the world's leading practitioners and academics in the sports law and taxation fields.
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Dr. Rijkele Betten
Consulting editor
Prof. Dr. Ian S. Blackshaw
Prof. Guglielmo Maisto
Maisto e Associati, Milano
Mr. Kevin Offer
Hardwick & Morris LLP, London
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