Family Matters podcast: Should schools have a ‘no-cut’ rule for sports teams?

An Edmonton junior high school is embracing a 14-member curling squad and a 37-person basketball team.

The rosters for the junior sports teams at Michael Phair Junior High School have no maximum limit of players, meaning students who want to play are all given the opportunity.

Almost half the school’s nearly 300 students are now on a sports team.

READ MORE: Why ‘no-cut sports programs’ can benefit students and schools

On the Family Matters podcast (listen below), assistant principal Kim Hordal-Hlewka shares how her school eliminated cuts without eliminating competition.

However, what about the argument that tryouts build character and resiliency?

Lauren Sulz is an assistant professor at the University of Alberta in the Faculty of Education. She has been researching the impact of youth being cut from sports teams and shares why she believes students benefit more from playing than the experience of being cut.

Family Matters is always looking for new story ideas.

Connect with host Kim Smith:

Email: Kim.Smith@globalnews.ca

Twitter: @Kim_SmithTV

Facebook: facebook.com/kim.smith.765

Connect with producer Christine Meadows:

Email: Christine.Meadows@globalnews.ca

Twitter: @CMeadowsGlobal

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