Change the reward. Change the game. | Will Cromack | TEDxKelowna

Summary

The video script narrates the transformative power of sports, emphasizing the need to shift focus from a win-at-all-costs mentality to fostering a culture of teamwork, values, and learning. The speaker, a soccer coach, shares a personal story of leading a young team affected by cancer, illustrating how aligning sports with a meaningful cause can motivate players and create a positive impact. The narrative advocates for a paradigm shift in sports culture, where the emphasis is on skill development, resilience, and community engagement, ultimately using sports as a tool for personal growth and social change.

Takeaways

• 😤 'Pressure and expectations from the sidelines can negatively impact young athletes' performance.'
• 🏆 'The speaker believes sports have the potential to solve global issues but need a cultural shift to do so.'
• 🤔 'The speaker, a soccer coach, is frustrated with the current state of youth sports and its focus on winning at all costs.'
• 👶 'A team of ten-year-olds, all affected by cancer, inspired the speaker to use sports as a means to address larger issues.'
• 💡 'The speaker implemented a system where the kids could earn rewards for their performance towards a cause, changing their motivation.'
• 🎯 'By focusing on skill development and a common cause, the team's performance and team culture improved significantly.'
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 'The speaker argues that sports culture should prioritize team values and learning over winning to create a positive environment.'
• 🚫 'The current sports culture, with its win-at-all-costs mentality, is driving kids away from sports and causing issues with health and happiness.'
• 💪 'When kids play for a cause, they learn essential values like teamwork, empathy, and resilience, which are crucial for their development.'
• 🌟 'A small shift in focus from winning to skill development and a common cause can lead to a significant positive impact on sports culture and the community.'

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker addresses in the world of sports?

The speaker addresses the issue of sports culture and the pressure from sidelines that often detracts from the true potential of sports to bring out the best in humanity, particularly in youth sports.

Why does the speaker believe sports have the potential to change the world?

The speaker believes sports have the potential to change the world because of their infrastructure, reach, and influence, which can help solve global issues if the culture of sports is improved.

What is the speaker's profession and how does it relate to the script's theme?

The speaker is a soccer coach, and his profession directly relates to the script's theme as he discusses the need to fix sports culture and the impact it has on young athletes.

What is the story of the 'little squirrels' team mentioned in the script?

The 'little squirrels' team is a group of ten-year-olds whose families have all been impacted by cancer. The speaker uses this team as an example to show how sports can be more than just a game and can be used as a tool for a greater cause.

How did the speaker involve the 'little squirrels' team in a cause beyond just playing soccer?

The speaker involved the 'little squirrels' team in a cause by tying their soccer skills and performance to raising money for cancer research, turning their efforts on the field into a contribution towards fighting cancer.

What was the impact of focusing on a cause on the 'little squirrels' team's performance and attitude?

Focusing on a cause led to a significant change in the team's performance and attitude. They became more motivated, worked harder, and their games transformed from being just about winning to making a difference.

What is the 'solar eclipse of sports' mentioned in the script?

The 'solar eclipse of sports' is a metaphor used by the speaker to describe the moment when the purpose of sports is put in front of the competitive aspect, overshadowing the win-at-all-costs mentality.

Why is the speaker concerned about the high dropout rate of kids from sports?

The speaker is concerned about the high dropout rate because it indicates a deeper issue with the current sports culture that prioritizes winning over personal development, which can negatively impact kids' health and happiness.

How does the speaker suggest changing the sports culture to better support kids?

The speaker suggests changing the sports culture by focusing on skill development, fostering a purpose-driven team culture, and aligning the values of sports with the desired outcomes for the kids, such as kindness, teamwork, and resilience.

What is the significance of the speaker's call to 'play better' at the end of the script?

The call to 'play better' signifies a broader call for improvement in sports culture, where the focus shifts from winning to personal and team development, creating a more positive and impactful experience for all involved.