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37 C Dr. Douglas Smith Guest columnist January 26, 2017 January 26, When to begin This Week • Week This SPORTS psychological training? Over the years many parents, coaches and teachers have asked me at what age should kids start mental, emotional and social training? The scientific research is not clear what age children should start learning how to use their mind to regulate their thoughts, feelings, habits, social and communication skills to perform better in sports. Olympic athletes usually start formal mental fitness training from age 15 to 25 Brian McNair / Metroland with their national sport associations. TORONTO -- The Oshawa Generals presented their bid to host the 2018 MasterCard Memorial Cup at the Hyatt Regency If we look at some of the best athletes hotel in downtown Toronto on Wednesday, Jan. 25. The presenting team was comprised of, from left, Adam Graves, in the world, we will find they started Duncan Stauth, Andrew Edwards, Roger Hunt and Rocco Tullio. Former star player Eric Lindros was also part of the presen- physically and mentally training at a very tation, but was absent for the photo. young age. Some started as young as two or three years old. My experience with athletes is that Oshawa Generals tie in alumni, military the age depends on their maturity and their ability to listen, talk and to be in touch with their feelings. during Memorial Cup presentation in Toronto Early training is also more success- ful if the parent has already worked with Generals, Hamilton influence, and I think it matters.” ways, and they had their distinctions,” he the child in the areas of structure, shar- Also making the presentation for the added. “It’s great for the selection com- ing and expression of feelings. These Bulldogs, Regina Generals Wednesday were Rocco Tullio, mittee. I don’t think they can make a mis- children tend to be more responsible, Pats vying for 100th president and governor of the team, Roger take.” mature, physically active and receptive Hunt, vice-president and general manag- The selection committee, comprised to learning age appropriate mental strat- tournament er, and Duncan Stauth, former vice-presi- of Michael Akpata, Paul Beeston, Colin egies. dent of business operations. Campbell, Al Coates, Serge Fortin, Scott Since mental training has become Brian McNair Tullio and Hunt, who addressed the Moore and Scott Smith, was to meet with more popular over the last five years, we [email protected] media immediately after, left the one- Kirke and the three junior league commis- have had many parents and coaches ask hour meeting extremely confident. sioners after the presentations to discuss us to do mental fitness training with ath- TORONTO -- The presence of former “I don’t really have a big concern, to them further, but a decision is not expect- letes at very young ages. Ontario Hockey League stars Eric Lindros be honest with you,” said Hunt. “We have ed until early February. It is our belief and practice to never and Adam Graves at the Memorial Cup a rabid fanbase, we have a beautiful state- Tullio was not with the team when work with kids by themselves. At least bid presentation may help set the Oshawa of-the-art building. We have a team that’s Oshawa last bid on the Memorial Cup, one parent is always participating in the Generals apart from the Hamilton Bull- stocked and ready to win again … We the 2008 tournament, but he believes the training process. This makes the child dogs and Regina Pats. have a strong alumni presence that was Generals have covered all the bases this athlete feel more comfortable and the The three Canadian Hockey League big, and certainly the military element time around. parent also learns all the techniques and clubs put forth their cases Wednesday, with the Ontario regiment two-and-a- “I think the guarantee exceeded expec- strategies so they can support, encour- Jan. 25 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in half blocks away from our building and tations,” he said, referring to the profit age and follow up with the child at home. downtown Toronto to host the 2018 Mas- Memorial Park, I think we’ve touched on guarantee, which was said to be lacking Most young athletes love coming for terCard Memorial Cup, the 100th anniver- everything.” in the last bid. “I think that everything mind training because they have fun and sary of the junior national hockey cham- A military focus was not unique Oshawa has to offer exceeded expecta- receive special attention in a warm, car- pionship. to Oshawa, said Kirke, who was also tions, so I think we’re in a good spot.” ing, nurturing environment. Gord Kirke, the site selection commit- impressed with the bids made by the Bull- The Pats are likely the front-runners We have even had many parents say tee chair, was certainly impressed with the dogs and Pats earlier in the day. He did, where quality of team is concerned, cur- they have used these techniques to help presence of the two players, especially the however, hint that Oshawa’s presentation rently ranked No. 1 in the country and themselves deal successfully with vari- hulking six-foot-five Lindros, whom he was unique in tying in the military and expecting a strong core back next season. ous aspects of their lives. joked he was hesitant to cut off when he the history of the Memorial Cup, which is Like the Generals, they are also steeped So to answer the question: the soon- spoke a little long. dedicated in honour of soldiers who died in history, and will celebrate their 100th er parents teach their child to use their “I think having the two ex-patriots fighting for Canada. anniversary at the same time as the most powerful asset, their mind, the there, the two graduates from the system, “Once again, they did a good job of Memorial Cup. sooner sport and life becomes easier and was of influence,” Kirke said in reference linking the military aspect with the hockey The Bulldogs are in only their second more enjoyable for the athlete and par- to Lindros, who won a Memorial Cup with aspect, and they do it in a very clever way, year in Hamilton and perhaps not as ready ent alike. the Generals in 1990, and Graves, who and a way that’s quite emotional,” Kirke to contend in a year, but the FirstOntario Dr. Douglas Smith is a licensed psychologist in owns a small stake in the club. “I think it’s said of the Generals’ presentation. Centre is nearly three times the capacity of Ontario specializing in sport psychology since always important when alumni of a team “On the whole, we had three outstand- the rinks in Oshawa and Regina, making 1985. Contact him at 905-430-3538 or drdoug@ come back to support it, and lend their ing presentations, I think, similar in many for greater potential profits. promind.ca; website www.promind.ca durhamregion.com.

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