As I was reviewing the various links on the SportsFive.net site, I came across a new article on the Penfield Lacrosse Site that spells out in a great way, their youth lacrosse program’s “Balanced Team Concept”.

It is an example of how level-headed adults can do the right thing and focus on the needs of the kids as well as the needs of the program.

The philosophy states, that although the organization knows that they could combine their best talent on one team and win a lot of games, they choose to create balance over all of their teams. Thus, they clearly state that in their youth program, they kids will be divided up to that each of their teams will be on equal strength.

They clearly state that their mission is teaching the game and that winning comes second.

In what seems to be a “let me tell you before you ask” manner, the organization lists many reasons why they think this philosophy is the right one, and surprisingly, they even suggest some reasons against the idea. My favorite “pro” reason is that the better kids tends to have to help the less talented kids. What a wonderful lesson to learn at a young age, and what a wonderful way to “honor the game”.

Hats off to the folks at Penfield Lacrosse and I’ll just bet that in the long run, everyone will benefit from their “balance”.

Read the article at the Penfield Lacrosse site at: www.penfieldlacrosse.org/PYL/PYL-Balanced-Teams.htm)