JV sports matter. I believe this is a sentiment shared by many in our community. Yet there is a reduced number of JV teams, and it’s not because there aren’t enough students who want to play them. Is it because JV sports don’t matter as much as varsity?
If so, this is not an ideology that Canterbury should be embracing. While varsity sports are a great way to experience a sport at a higher caliber – whether playing, coaching, or watching – they are not always the best option for students. Many students are new to sports and maybe new to team sports. Others are simply not very athletic, while other students simply prefer the lesser pressure of JV athletics. By diminishing the value of JV sports, the value of these students is diminished, leading to low morale. This is unfortunate because JV sports help to teach students not only how to play a specific sport, but also teaches them an appreciation for a sport. JV sports also help to shape and train students into varsity athletes. But perhaps most importantly, they teach teamwork, sportsmanship, goal setting and achievement. These are not qualities that apply solely to athletics. These are qualities that become important factors to success outside of sports and even outside of high school.
It shouldn’t matter that JV athletes are not competing at the same high level as varsity athletes. JV sports still matter just as much. The accomplishments of highly skilled varsity athletes need not be diminished just to make JV athletes feel better. It is not about putting all athletes on the same level. It is about acknowledging the commitment, dedication and effort that all athletes put into their teams and into themselves, no matter the skill level.
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