My younger son just started playing in the local basketball house league. His first game was on the weekend, and what  a joy it was to see all those people there just for the kids. No try-outs, no pressure, just lots of encouragement and lots of fun. That’s what’s great about house league sports.

House leagues teach skills in an inclusive, supportive environment. I love it!

My son was very enthusiastic, and I’m delighted to see another opportunity for physical activity in his life. I’ve been reading the series on kids eating habit this week in the new, reformatted Globe and Mail. Encouraging healthy eating is an ongoing process in this home (not without successes, I might add!), but I can’t help thinking a lot of this begins with getting enough activity in the first place. One great thing about being on a sports team, is that it encourages my son to practice more during his own time. It all adds up to a whole lot more physical movement in the average week.

But that’s not all I like about this! I like the fact that all the kids get (more-or-less) equal time on the court. I like the fact that there are girls playing in this league. I like the fact that parents and coaches are smiling and being positive. I like the fact that the referees are teaching as much as they are officiating. And I liked how much my son’s team passed the ball so well! Teamwork is a great thing to learn, and a good house league is a great place to learn it.

We’re lucky to have found one.

Eric