The Dark Side of Youth Sports: Entitlement and the Death of Hard Work

How often have we seen exceptionally talented athletes, who possess all the skills needed to reach the pinnacle of their sport, fail to make it through? We can all think of individuals in our respective sports who fit this description. These examples highlight the importance of investing in the social and mental development of athletes.

I recently came across an article by the Player Development Project that prompted me to reflect on this issue. The article stated:

“…there are moments in the season or when working in more performance-focused contexts as youth players transition towards senior football, where earning a start for the team, contributing as a teammate off the field, contributing off the bench, or dealing with setbacks like non-selection, injuries or other forms of adversity can help young players understand that in life, things don’t come free.”

I’m not sure if this is common in other sports, but in football, there seems to be a significant level of entitlement. It often appears that both children and parents expect to get what they want, whether it’s playing for top teams, being selected for games, or receiving other external rewards. This mindset often leads to overlooking the necessary process.

We’re living in an era where instant results are highly prized, driven by the influences of technology, social media, and an ever-growing consumer culture. This mentality is increasingly impacting sports, with both children and parents expecting quick success without fully recognising the hard work and perseverance required to improve and succeed.

While this is a challenging issue to confront, it also presents an opportunity for growth. How can we address it?

- Emphasising the Process: Focus on and prioritise hard work and development over immediate results, helping athletes appreciate the journey.

- Promoting a Growth Mindset: Encourage athletes to see challenges as opportunities to learn, which can reduce the sense of entitlement.

- Creating Adversity: Expose athletes to setbacks, such as non-selection or injuries, to build mental toughness, followed by communication, support, and guidance.

- Highlighting Teamwork: Stress the importance of contributing in various roles, fostering a collective responsibility over individual entitlement.

- Maintaining Open Communication: Provide opportunities for athletes to discuss their challenges and aspirations, allowing for personalised guidance.

- Modelling Resilience: Demonstrate resilience and humility as a coach to set a positive example for athletes.

- Incorporating Mental Skills Training: Include sessions on handling pressure, managing emotions, and effective communication to develop well-rounded athletes.

- Focusing on Long-Term Growth: Encourage a long-term perspective, prioritising gradual improvement over immediate success.

In conclusion, while the entitlement mentality and the pressure for instant results are significant challenges in today’s sports culture, they also present valuable opportunities for growth and development. By focusing on the process, promoting a growth mindset, and creating opportunities to face adversity, coaches can help athletes build the resilience, mental toughness, and humility needed to succeed both on and off the field.