LETTER FROM DIRECTOR & FOUNDER OF SIMPLY SPORTS

Dear Parents:

I am the proud father of two remarkable boys (ages 5 and 9). I have enjoyed watching them and participating with them in numerous athletic programs around Manhattan. Some of the athletic programs available are very good, but many have not met my expectations. It is with this in mind that I decided to follow my life-long dream of teaching children. I founded Simply Sports to create an athletic program for children that is built on a highly quality infrastructure that includes top level professionals, distinguished coaches and superior instruction. I thank my sons for agreeing to share their dad and coach with other children.

I am committed to creating programs that are age appropriate, safe and fun for all children. I firmly believe that a child must develop a love for the game first, and that learning skills and techniques will then follow. I also believe that it is vital for every child to experience success to build confidence and self esteem. For example, when I provided my son with an oversize bat and a tennis ball, he was able to make contact with the ball and hit the ball at a longer distance, which made the experience more exciting for him and allowed him to celebrate an accomplishment. As a result, my child was eager to learn and more receptive to developing the skills necessary to participate in sports.

My philosophy is to capitalize on teachable moments because there are many situations that are hard to simulate in a practice or clinic. During an activity, I may pause to demonstrate a point or tactic using the events that have transpired in the activity. For example, during a baseball game, a rundown might occur. When that happens, I would bring it to the children's attention and teach the proper method to handle a rundown. Drawing on actual situations that arise during a game provides a tangible method to teach skills so that children can effectively tackle the situation should it arise again. By utilizing this approach, I engage the children, eliminate idle standing around time that often follows other teaching methods and help children learn without requiring them to figure out how to apply a formal lesson to a real game situation.

I strive to draw out positive life lessons from competitive experiences including learning to work as a team, playing fairly, treating others with respect, accepting defeat graciously and trying one's hardest. At Simply Sports, games are taken seriously, but participation, fun, effort and good sportsmanship are emphasized over and above winning.

Best regards,

Jeffrey Bernstein, Director