The Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor Essex and Give and Go Sports are hosting an event next weekend to promote the benefits of kids participating in a variety of sports and other activities.
"We're getting into this area now that kids are being funneled into one sport from the time they are 10 or 11 years old, thinking they are going to develop the next Sydney Crosby or Tiger Woods," said Bob Duff, Give and Go Sport co-founder. "The fact of the matter is 1 per cent of youth athletes are eventually going to turn pro."
The event will feature keynote speakers Paralympian Danielle Campo-McLeod and retired MLB player Joe Siddal.
Proceeds of the event will go toward The Give and Go Documentary exploring the dangers of one-sport specialization. Themes they are exploring in the documentary include the mental and physical risks of focusing on a single activity 12 months out of the year.
"Let your kid be a kid is the bottom line. Let them try a whole bunch of different things, find out what they like and let them pursue their passions. Don't try to turn them into what you want them to be," said Duff.
The Move at Your Own Sport Event will be held at the St. Clair College Sportsplex on January 24 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. To purchase tickets visit Give and Go Sport website.