Conference Take-Aways

AD Panel

The Athletic Director Panel wrestled with a number of issues from diminishing roster sizes, to sports specialization and school requirement policies. The issues which generated the most discussion was around JV and Sub-Varsity sports.

What is happening with our JV and sub-varsity teams? 

JV and sub-varsity sports are having difficulties. This is also arguably where we are seeing the biggest impact of sports specialization. There is 1) very limited opportunity to move up from JV to varsity and 2) sport-specific kids have removed themselves from other seasons, causing a dearth of athletes to fill JV teams including JV rosters

There is subsequently a negative impact on schedules, e.g., lopsided losses, forfeits, etc., is growing,  especially at junior boarding schools, which have traditionally played JV and 3rds level upper school teams. We are also seeing a problem with filling girls rosters more than boys, despite the fact that more boys are specializing in one sport than girls.

Managing Parent Expectations and Insights on Coaching Girls

• increasing concerns about training room staffing to enhance injury prevention and post-practice/game recovery

• are trainers and coaches current in their warm-up, stretching and recovery methodologies?

• marked increase in ACL injuries, especially among girls