There have been a number of times in my 30-year career when people have openly downplayed the significance of sports, or the role they can play in helping to build a strong, healthy community.
And, yes, it's true, each-and-every-time got my blood boiling, figuratively speaking, and my dander up, literally speaking.
Yes, I am a huge sports fan, especially when one is talking hockey, baseball and football.
That being as it may, it does not change the fact sports can, and do, play a huge role when it comes to building a strong, healthy and inclusive community. This is especially true when it comes to the youth of a community, but sports positively impact adults and seniors, too.
It was quite gratifying to speak with Troy Aksalnik and Kandace Graham this past week and hear of Calm Air's extension of sponsorship with the Terence Tootoo Memorial senior men's hockey tournament until the year 2030, and the local ball scene's emphasis on youth and success at the national level.
The importance to a community of a strong sports program cannot be overstated, especially when said community is small and isolated. Not only does a strong sports program keep young folks out of trouble (the whole idle hands are the devil's workshop idea), but it also instills a sense of purpose in them that has the power to eclipse the pull of their cellphones, iPads and multiple other electronic devices.
Properly delivered, sports programs have the ability to teach youth about the power of teamwork, always having their teammates' backs, playing for a common goal and learning about the importance of playing for the crest on the front of the jersey and not just the name on the back.
Sports programming can often instill a sense of self-worth in youth who are struggling and show others that the door is always open when it comes to inclusivity. There is no emphasis, positive or negative, placed on physical ability, gender, religion, language or race. In short, all are welcome.
Of course there will be times when a young player has to compete for a spot on a team and they may not always make the cut. This, in itself, can be a character builder and encourage youth to work harder to improve their skills, so that they may stand a better chance of making the team of their choice the next time around.
It can also teach them that there is no shame in not making the team when they gave it their all and left everything they had on the ice, field, pitch, or whatever the case may be. It's a valuable character builder that will serve them well as they grow older in real life. Not every girl or guy you ask out is going to say yes, and not everyone is always going to be in the mood to do what you want to.
Sports can also instill a great feeling of pride in one fortunate enough to win a championship in either an individual or team sport. And it can teach humility, and how to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.
Those properly coached will truly mean it when they shake the hand of a victor to congratulate him or her after suffering defeat and, conversely, they will also be sincere when saying "good game" to those whose hands they shake as the victor.
Minor hockey, baseball and other sports coaches and executives must always remember that it is just as important to teach their players how to lose properly as it is how to win, perhaps even more so.
Parents should never be intimidated about speaking up and voicing their concerns to any coach they perceive to be teaching their players to win at all costs.
The win-at-all-costs mentality is one that can give young athletes serious challenges to overcome when away from the arena of their sport of choice and interacting in the real world.
But, at the end of the day, the benefits of a solid sports program far outweigh any negatives associated with their involvement and will ultimately help youth develop into better young adults.
That's a goal we should all hope our youth will strive to achieve.