The Path Forward

The Path Forward: Youth Sports and More is the second book from author, Michael Blanchard. This book picks up where The Path We Take: A Journey of Growth and Leadership leaves off. Part One is about the 10 Pillars of Youth Sports. In it Blanchard describes the positive parts of being involved with youth athletics and why so many kids benefit from their time with organized sports. He also unpacks the ugly side of youth sports and gives readers a chance to personally reflect at the end of each chapter. In Part Two, Blanchard goes further and tries to point out how things can improve in order to promote a more positive experience for young players and their families. He skillfully weaves a tale of improvement and being process oriented versus outcome obsessed. The Path Forward is a masterclass in writing and hopefully will point out the positives, along with the areas for improvement for anyone involved in youth athletics. This is a must read for players, coaches, parents, and those in leadership roles within the athletic community.