Q&A: The Olympic-Sized Power of Sports in Early Learning & Development

We’re getting ready for the Olympics! We’re so excited to watch the athletes and learn about their stories, and we were excited to talk to Anne Whalen, who played Division 1 Basketball and now coaches youth basketball and soccer to learn about the power of sports to teach people many important skills.

When did you start playing?

I started when I was in kindergarten playing everything I could: soccer, basketball, baseball/softball, gymnastics, horseback riding, ballet. You name it, I tried it. By the time I reached high school I was on the soccer, basketball, and golf team, and then continued with basketball through college. Now that I am “retired,” I play golf, and occasionally in an adult women’s league.

What do you love about the sport?

I love the rush and freedom you feel when you hit the pitch or the courts, that burst of adrenaline and the feeling you get when you know any shot you take will go in. But what I miss the most is the camaraderie of my teammates.

What was your greatest accomplishment in the sport?

When I was younger, I would have to say some of the awards I won and records I broke. But now, it is watching my players improve and become more confident in what they are doing and hoping that extends out of sports as well.

Beyond the skills of basketball itself — like dribbling and passing — what skills did you learn?

Here are a few of the most important:

To anticipate and read people/players
How to be a good teammate and work with others toward a shared goal
The importance of working hard and giving it your all
To pay attention to details
To never give up
To be there for your teammates

Research shows that sports help people learn a range of skills like perseverance, communications, interpersonal skills, etc. Do you have a story about how sports helped you develop "life skills"?

I absolutely believe it teaches you life skills and that athletes have a leg up in certain skills. I think back to all the grueling practices in college and the resilience that it built. When I have a short deadline or a large project at work or just anything to overcome, I think back to getting through those practices and know that if I can do that, this will be a breeze. Another big one that I think is important for all kids, especially young girls, is self-esteem. I was always so much taller than my other classmates and I hated it, I was shy about it and everyone would call me “big” meaning tall, but “big” sounds bad. The more I practiced my sports and the better I got, the more comfortable I got with myself and my abilities, the more confident overall I became. And once I started playing AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) and in college, I realized that being tall was a gift and to use it to my advantage (even though I was now one of the shorter girls). Now, I wish I were taller!

Have skills you learned playing sports (like learning how to cope with losing) helped you in other parts of your life? Can you share a short story about that?

I think learning how to lose with grace is somewhat a superpower. My dad and I would play H-O-R-S-E when I was growing up and he would never let me win. My sister and I used to have to pull out all the stops and do crazy trick shots to just be able to get him a letter, and I lost almost every game of H-O-R-S-E until I was in high school. I believe that losing humbles people and teaches us humility. And by losing, we learn to evolve, take risks, try new things, be willing to take the chances that need to be taken, even if we know the outcome could be a loss.

Now you coach kids. What do you coach? What age kids do you coach?

I currently coach U12 boys travel soccer, rec basketball (3^rd & 4^th grade) and travel basketball (6^th grade). I am also on the board for both our soccer and basketball clubs in town.

Why did you decide to coach kids?

I grew up with the best coaches and want to make sure my kids (and their friends) get that same experience so when they are my age, they can look back and remember how much fun it was for them and maybe become a coach themselves. Plus, I enjoy sharing my love for the game.

How do you help the kids you coach to learn important social & emotional skills in the context of your coaching?

With consistency and practice. The better these kids get at their sport, the more they are learning how to control their thoughts and emotions in all sorts of different situations. I also promote always being a good teammate. This teaches the kids to trust, cooperate, and listen to their teammates/peers.

What sports are you most excited about in the 2024 Olympics? Why?

I love the Olympics and cannot wait to watch. I will watch any sports when they are on but swimming and diving, basketball, and track and field have been my go-to’s since I was little. I also am going to make sure I support the women’s water polo and women’s rugby because Flava Flav is the best hype-man and Ilona Maher is amazing!