Sports & Sponsorships

Pretty much the only season that we are not heavily involved in sports is the winter.

Like dem bears, we go into hibernation.

Big time.

Come Spring, it’s soccer and track. And then track some more. Fall is usually soccer for both kids, but this Fall is going to be crazy different. Soccer for Nick, and cheer and dance for Madeline.

Every year, as the kids get older, I encourage them to try everything. And I mean everything. By getting a little taste of this and that, they are able to figure out exactly what they like the most. Where they excel. And where they are most confident.

We have been involved with soccer for eight years now, starting with Nick when he was four, and adding Madeline two years ago. They love interacting with their team mates and doing a sport that, while competitive, is still relatively low key. As Madeline sat on the sideline watching Nick play for a few years, I knew she would want to join as soon as she was old enough.

They both started track last year and loved it, going back for a second year this year. I originally encouraged them to try it because I think it’s a great complement to their soccer game.

And sometimes Mom’s right.

A cheer clinic in the Spring pretty much cinched the deal for Madeline joining the team this summer.

And so here we are. Gearing up for a Fall season of busy weeknights. Soccer, cheer, and dance, book-ended by nights of nothingness as well.

Because, after all, balance is good.

Being active in sports and part of various teams are great ways to build character. I don’t need to tell you that. The kids get to get out on the field and get out some of their energy. Work with their teammates towards a common goal. Relish in the victories, commiserate in the defeats. Find out what they like and don’t like, where their strengths and weaknesses are.

All these sports activities wouldn’t happen without the team parents, volunteers coaches, countless e-mails blasts organizing game times and snack duty, and sponsorships.

Sponsorships for those all important team shirts and jerseys.

Now, through a project with the Global Influence Network, I recently learned of a new way to possibly make the whole team sponsorship thing a little easier. By signing up at PearUp.com, you can find sponsors (both big names and local companies) to fund your team’s needs for apparel via the Safeskin brand. This page for a boys’ soccer team is a good example of how the program works. It’s free to join, and you can set your own goal and then share your page with various social media sites, making it easy for everyone on the team to share in meeting the goal (this YouTube clip shows how it works too).

You can get started on meeting your own team goals right here.

*This post was sponsored through my affiliation with the Global Influence Network. All opinions are, of course, my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support my site.