(Not the Score. Not the Win.)
When you ask an adult about their first sports experience, they rarely talk about the score.
They talk about the feeling.
They’ll say:
“I remember the coach who gave me a high five after every swing.”
“I remember laughing with my friends during warm-ups.”
“I remember the snack after the game.”
They don’t say:
“I remember winning 6-3.”
“I remember running drills until I cried.”
“I remember being benched for missing a shot.”
And yet, somehow, youth sports today have become obsessed with performance. We push kids to “focus,” “train hard,” and “win”—before many of them have even figured out which shoe goes on which foot.
At TGA, we’re here to change that.
The First Experience Matters More Than You Think
A child’s first sports experience shapes how they feel about being active—for years.
It’s not just about the sport. It’s about how they see themselves.
Do they walk away thinking, “I’m not athletic”?
Or do they walk away thinking, “That was fun—I want to do it again”?
It’s our job to make sure it’s the second one.
What They’ll Actually Remember
They’ll remember…
- The coach who called them by name and cheered them on.
- The time they made a solid hit and everyone clapped.
- The way they laughed when the ball went flying the wrong way.
- The moment they realized, “Hey—I can do this.”
That’s why we focus on creating unforgettable experiences—not pressure-packed practices.
We build in games. We celebrate effort. We teach through play.
Yes, we work on skills. But the real goal? Make them smile. Make them proud. Make them want to come back.
Because when they feel seen, supported, and safe to try—they grow. Not just as athletes, but as people.
A Quick Story That Says It All
One of our “Little Golfers” (a 5-year-old!) recently looked up after hitting a chip shot and said, “I’m a real golfer now.”
He didn’t care that the ball didn’t go far.
He cared that he swung, he tried, and someone believed in him.
That’s the kind of memory that sticks.
So, What Will Your Child Remember?
They probably won’t remember the rules of pickleball.
But they’ll remember how it felt to play with you cheering them on.
They’ll remember if the experience made them feel brave—or embarrassed.
Excited—or stressed.
Included—or invisible.
We built TGA to make sure it’s the good stuff they take with them.
👉 Learn more or register today at playtga.com/chc.
Let’s give them something they’ll actually want to remember.
