Girls basketball team gets life lesson

On Monday, April 14, the Catalina Islanders girls city basketball team took a course on how to be a healthy athlete and not get caught up in peer pressure. They were asked a series of questions regarding drugs and alcohol and what their own personal thoughts were.

Rhonda Kalish from Catalina CHOICES took the girls through the lesson of Life As An Athlete Human Performance Project. The project was developed by the New Mexico Activities Association with the support of the New Mexico Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Bureau.

On Monday, April 14, the Catalina Islanders girls city basketball team took a course on how to be a healthy athlete and not get caught up in peer pressure. They were asked a series of questions regarding drugs and alcohol and what their own personal thoughts were.

Rhonda Kalish from Catalina CHOICES took the girls through the lesson of Life As An Athlete Human Performance Project. The project was developed by the New Mexico Activities Association with the support of the New Mexico Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Bureau.

The team learned all the new statistics that show nearly 60% of all seniors and close to 50% of all juniors report regular drinking activity. Studies from the Life of an Athlete Human Performance Project have provided evidence that consumption of alcohol directly relates to decreased athletic performance. Alcohol consumption decreases speed, endurance, agility, strength, and concentration; all key factors in the success of an athlete. Unfortunately, California currently ranks fourth in the nation for children who consume their first alcoholic drink prior to the age of 13 and alcohol related costs in California total more that $200 million per year.

The message the City of Avalon Girls Basketball Team members said they want the community to know:  “Time is one of the most important aspects in a young athlete’s life. Eventually, a person’s athletic ability will begin to diminish with age. Athletes have to accomplish in the first quarter of their life. What they will never have the opportunity to accomplish again being an athlete. This program isn’t just about drugs and alcohol; you get to hear real stories and tragedies that affect us in our future so let’s all take take a stand and make our future brighter.”

At the end of the program they receive  team or individual certificates.

The team members said they strongly encourages athletes, parents and coaches to take the free, interactive Life of An Athlete program.