Maintaining an active lifestyle is important for one’s health and well-being. For many of us, this begins with playing organized, youth sports. Sports promote physical activity and competitiveness, while providing other valuable life lessons such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and managing adversity. The inspiration for this episode comes from YES Communities’ resident Danilo Arce, who volunteers his spare time to coach soccer and mentor the kids in his community of Woodland Estates near Houston, Texas. Three experts weigh in to help navigate the long journey from little league to the big time stage of professional sports.

Jon Solomon, Editorial Director of the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative discusses the benefits of youth sports, as well as the many challenges leagues and school districts now face in playing during the pandemic. 

You’ll also hear from Juan Vega, Youth Program Manager for the Houston Dynamo. Juan reveals the team’s wide-reaching recruitment process and the pathway for young soccer players to reach the professional stage.  

Finally, Houston Dynamo legend Ricardo Clark joins us to talk about his personal journey from the suburbs of Atlanta to playing overseas, to now coaching his son on a similar path to stardom.

Resources for coaches, players, and parents can be found in the links below.

Links:

Aspen Project Play

Dynamo Youth Soccer

Ricardo Clark Foundation

Meet Danilo

Yes Communities

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