Not only do young girls in youth sports have to contend with the pressures of winning and losing, accepting failure and keeping their temperament under control, but they also have to deal with two other factors - physical appearance and self-esteem.
It's an emotionally-charged battle they have to wage everyday against the ideals of society.
With supermodels looking deathly thin and Hollywood teen actresses getting some type of body augmentation on a daily basis, it's no wonder we see girls trying to keep pace with these individuals or succumbing to the fact they can't look alike.
For Gilroy resident and personal trainer Tanya Bonesio, it shouldn't have to be that way and she strongly feels there are other ways to maintain a healthy body and fitness level.
"God made you a certain way," explains Bonesio, "and young girls should accept their bodies for what they are and embrace themselves for who they are.
"Society thinks thinner is better and girls are taught to be petite. I think that's overplayed. They need to be more concerned about their overall body image, rather than trying to lose weight. Weight is only a number and shouldn't be overstressed."
Bonesio, who's a personal trainer that has been coaching youth athletes for over a decade, leads a healthy lifestyle herself. She loves to come to work and has a passion for fitness, especially when the topic is young girls.
Obviously, one of the major problems facing young girls in today's world is obesity and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
According to Bonesio, nutrition is indeed a challenge young girls face as they start to become a young woman. "Nutrition is definitely one of the major problems girls are encountering," Bonesio said. "They need to fuel their bodies with the proper foods, stay hydrated constantly and getting the right amount of sleep is equally important."
While athletes can provide an incredible role model to girls, Bonesio feels that parents need to take a more active role toward their children.
"It all starts with parents being good teachers for their kids and leading by example," she said. "If they can lead a healthy lifestyle in regards to nutrition and fitness, their kids will most likely follow suit."
So instead of stopping by the golden arches or the clown jumping out of the box or trying to think outside the bun, young athletic girls, and all kids for that matter, should be trading in a fast-food stop for exercise and a balanced diet.
Bonesio recommends girls maintaining a good fitness level by exercising three or four times a week for thirty minutes to an hour. They also need to change and establish new behavioral patterns so exercising becomes habitual and fun, not tedious or boring.
If girls aren't in some form of sports already she suggests beginning some good cardio exercises like cycling, running, working with resistance bands or SPARQ (speed, power, agility, reaction, quickness) training.
"One of my favorites is jumping rope," said Bonesio. "It develops great coordination and motor skills. Anything that's a high impact sport or activity is a great workout."
She also has a word for youth coaches and parents that are working with a girls team: "Know your player's or child's strength and weaknesses, work on form, core strength and keep them hydrated during practice. Set objectives, and tweak them if you have to, and make a connection with your child or team."
Pre-adolescent girls are encountering some form of stress earlier in life nowadays, but the more they can become one with their body image and not be pressured by outside forces, they'll feel better about the life ahead of them.
And, Bonesio contends, if they listen to their inner voice and become confident about themselves, good things are bound to happen.
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Rich Taylor has been coaching youth sports for over 25 years, is the Co-Director of the ACE Powerband national arm strengthening program and formerly scouted and coached in professional baseball. His column, A Sideline View, appears once a week. Reach him at rjtaylor23@yahoo.com
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A football patriarch
