Running head: PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS 1

Practical Implications

Tanner J. Greyn

Arizona State University

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Implementation

Childhood obesity is an epidemic taking place in the United States and not enough is

being done to help educate and promote healthy lifestyles in children. In order to help bring

awareness and solutions to this problem, I propose implementing a youth sports league in the

community that focuses on teaching athletics and the importance of nutrition to perform well in

the sports leagues. In the classroom or community setting, the league will focus on fundamentals

of the various sports and host weekend round robin tournaments that allow for the children to put

their skills to use and see success in the athletic world. In addition to focusing on the sports, each

practice will also include information about healthy eating habits and what athletes should be

putting in their bodies to be able to perform at the top of their game.

The plan for this action to take place will require the program to advertise in the

community and schools about an after-school athletics program that also focuses on nutrition.

Advertising will take place throughout the school year focusing on the sports that are in season

are the certain times of the year. Children will then be divided up into equal teams where they

will practice three nights per week learning the fundamentals of the sport and about proper eating

habits. Parents will also be invited to learn about healthy eating since these are the individuals

most commonly buying the groceries and feeding the children. By changing the culture of the

family, healthy eating habits will be an easy tradition for the children to carry on for the rest of

their lives.

Bringing this into the community might be a difficult plan since many after-school

athletic programs already exist, but few also talk about the importance of nutrition. If the athletic

program market is hard to break into, looking at joining a current athletic program and bringing
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in the nutritional program would be a great add-on for the program and would allow for two

programs to work together as one.

Committee

My background is very strong when it comes to working and coaching in athletic

programs. I know the fundamentals of many sports and also have a network of individuals who

can provide guidance and expertise in certain areas. However, one area where I lack is when it

comes to nutrition and proper diets for various sports and weight plan goals. Developing a

committee of individuals in both of these areas, athletics and nutrition, will be vital for the

success of this program. These committee members will be tasked with reviewing the

information presented for them and making recommendations for changes to better fit the needs

of the children. This type of collaboration opportunity will allow for community members to

develop stronger relationships with one another while learning new information in the world of

sports and sports nutrition.

Educational Components

With this program, educational opportunities will be abundant. Children will have the

opportunity to learn new sports which will require them to learn new skills and movements they

have not done before. Learning a new sport or skill will require a lot of practice and provides the

child with a chance to learn in their zone of proximal development. In addition to learning

athletics, children will learn in-depth about nutrition, diets, and how to take care of themselves

through the nutrition side of the program. This will cover the food groups, how much and how

often the child should eat, ways for the parents or guardians to change simple eating habits, and

how to keep these habits for the long-term.

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Engagement

By bringing an athletic and nutrition program into the community, this allows for

children and parents to engage with their community outside school or work hours. When

individuals spend more time together outside traditional work or school settings, stronger

relationships are developed, and individuals become more engaged with what is happening in

their community. Parents are then looking for more ways to be involved and volunteer when they

have a connection with others around them.

Scheduling

Advertising for the program will begin during the summer before the school year starts

focusing on the sports that are going to be in season when the school year begins. Each sport

season will last about two months and have a break between each season. Children will be

allowed to participate in one sport per season, that way school still takes precedent and they are

getting a proper education. As the seasons get closer, calendars of practices and games will be

provided to all students and families, so they can plan for these events and limit any missed

opportunities.

Recognition

Recognition for the schools, children, and families is much more important than any

personal recognition for the program. As long as the children are learning new skills and how to

take care of themselves, while enjoying the program, the satisfaction they receive from the

program will keep them encouraged and wanting to keep having a healthy lifestyle. With this

type of program that incorporates a nutrition component, news outlets will be interested in
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covering this type of story as it is uncommon for athletic programs to also address nutrition and

healthy eating.

Marketing

September 2018
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Practice 3:30 Practice 3:30 Practice 3:30
4:30pm 4:30pm 4:30pm

9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Practice 3:30 Practice 3:30 Practice 3:30
4:30pm 4:30pm 4:30pm

16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Practice 3:30 Practice 3:30 Practice 3:30 Games 9:00am
4:30pm 4:30pm 4:30pm 12:00pm

23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Practice 3:30 Practice 3:30 Practice 3:30 Games 9:00am
4:30pm 4:30pm 4:30pm 12:00pm

30
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THINGS TO Practices begin on Tuesday,

September 4th
Parent meeting will be held
immediately following
practice on the 4th.
First games will be played on
Saturday, September 22nd.
More information about the

KNOW location will be provided

when that time comes.
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