User:Bergymsb

As a longtime youth soccer coach, Mike Bergstrom strives to create a positive experience for every athlete. “One of my first rules when working with kids is, ‘Do no harm,’” said Bergstrom, who has coached for 15 years.

Bergstrom took the same approach as a first-time author. He recently (2009) published a book called “The Car Ride Home.” It encourages parents to keep youth sports in proper perspective to ensure that they make their children’s participation a fun and positive experience.

One of Bergstrom’s key points is that parents have three roles: Guardian, chauffeur and cheerleader. “I found the teams that are the most successful and the kids that are the most successful, that’s the role their parents play,” said the 46-year-old Bergstrom, who currently coaches a U-13 girls developmental team.

Bergstrom stresses that when all involved understand their roles youth sports can be the poistive and fun activity it is supposed to be. "Coaches coach, referees ref, players play and parents cheer."

By age 13, about 70 percent of kids involved in a youth sport will have quit. One of the most cited reasons kids give for quitting is that it "isn't fun anymore", according to the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports, Michigan State University

Bergstrom wants us to ask ourselves what we can do to be sure that our kids are having fun and enjoying their time in youth sports.

Mike Bergstrom has written a quick read, only 67 pages, that shares with parents through stories and real life experiences ideas to put perspective back into youth sports. The book is available at www.thecarridehome.com as well as amazon.com

Mike began coaching in 1994 and continues to coach to this day. Mike has coached at all levels and ages both boys and girls. He has enjoyed much success as a coach having had three teams play in state championship games, winning one time. Mike has also been involved with youth sports in many administrative positions, sitting on the boards of both his local soccer club as well as the local soccer association. At the club level Mike has held the positions of Director of Camps and Academies, VP of Development and for two years was the Program Director. At the Association level Mike held the position of VP of Development. Mike currently works as a Program Consultant for his soccer club.

Mike and his wife Marla, who he married in 1984, continue to make their home in the Pacific Northwest; they have three grown children, and two grand-daughters.