Latest news with #Knoester
Washington Post
20 hours ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Why youth sports is such a potent political target
A friend of mine has a daughter in high school and one in middle school, both much older than my own kids. So I was taken aback when he explained how competitive school sports had become. Students didn't have much choice but to join external programs and get additional coaching, he said, to be able to play on their high school teams. And this is in Silicon Valley, not exactly a place generally known for its focus on athletics. What Silicon Valley does have, of course, is a lot of money — and that makes a difference. Ohio State University researchers this year reported finding that success in ascending the competitive ladder of youth athletics is correlated with nonathletic factors. 'Success depends a lot on the advantages young people have when they grow up,' sociology professor Chris Knoester explained when the research came out. Wealthier parents, he added, 'can find the best coaches, help choose the sports that offer the best opportunities for their children, they can figure out the hidden rules and strategies that aren't available to everyone.' This raises the floor for everyone else even as the number of slots remains constant. Over time, Knoester explained in an email to me, the rate of participation in youth sports has increased, mostly thanks to increased participation from young women and girls. Here, too, nonathletic factors play a role. White, wealthy girls are more likely to progress through the ranks of youth sports, often driven by what a 2024 study from the Ohio State team tactfully referred to as 'intensive parenting.' This mix of cost, personal investment and escalating competitiveness is anecdotally obvious. Parents of my kids' elementary-school-aged peers have elected to have their kids start kindergarten later so that they'd consistently be older then their classmates until high school — and therefore bigger and more athletically adept. Surgeries once reserved for elite athletes are now performed on high school kids. The trend is also backed by data. The Aspen Institute's Project Play has surveyed parents and found that the cost of paying for their kids' primary sport has risen faster than the rate of inflation since 2019. Add in additional sports and parents reported paying an average of about $1,000 last year. That's just the average; some parents reported paying more than $20,000 for both primary and other sports. The group's 2023 report found that 'half of survey respondents who played youth sports or who have children who have played said they have struggled to afford the costs to participate.' Project Play data released last week illustrated what parents hope to get out of their investments. High school sports can facilitate college admissions (as several well-known Southern California parents can attest) or — as about a fifth of parents foresaw in the new survey — lead to college athletic careers. One in 9 parents is more ambitious, anticipating that their young athletes might end up playing professionally or in the Olympics. Needless to say, 1 in 9 young athletes does not end up playing professionally. If you make your high school girls' basketball team, for example, you have about a 1 in 71 chance of playing Division I college basketball. There are of course plenty of reasons for parents to encourage participation in sports besides dreams of World Series home runs or gold medals. There are myriad positive effects from participation in youth sports, including increases to self-confidence and the life lessons that accompany winning and losing. But let's step back now and consider all of this in the context of politics. We have a group of parents who've often invested heavily in their kids' athletic success and who often have outsize expectations for where that success might lead. Other parents simply want their kids to experience fair competition. And here comes Donald Trump Jr. — one of the earliest and loudest voices on the issue — warning that trans students were coming to relegate their daughters to second-place finishes. It's important to recognize that this concern is both exaggerated and selective. The most famous voice against having trans athletes participate in girls' or women's sports is Riley Gaines, who has built a career in conservative punditry on having competed against trans swimmer Lia Thomas in 2022. What's often left unmentioned is that Gaines and Tomas tied — for fifth. Even in the track meet in California last weekend that earned a social-media mention from President Donald Trump, trans athlete AB Hernandez won the triple jump — but tied for first in the high jump and came in second in the long jump. Trans athletes are not necessarily going to dominate simply because they are trans. More important, there have been scores of other sporting contests this year in which no trans athletes participated. The NCAA estimated last year that there were no more than a dozen trans athletes playing college sports, out of half a million in total. Instead, hundreds of thousands of youth athletes lost to competitors who were faster or stronger by virtue of their own biological advantages — or because their parents could afford better coaches. Analysis of (preliminary) 2024 American National Election Studies data suggests that parents of kids who still live at home are more supportive of the idea that there should be a ban on transgender girls participating in K-12 sports. There are other splits, too: Republicans are far more supportive of the idea than Democrats and older people without kids are more supportive than younger ones. But the divide among Democrats is a central reason that the issue has been a centerpiece of federal (and even lower-level) elections. In addition to playing to transphobia, the issue stokes concern among parents about the youth-sports playing field being tilted away from their kids. What's elided in this debate is that youth sports is inherently unfair anyway. Some kids are bigger or faster or stronger or have better reaction times. Some kids have parents who can afford coaches or afford to move to districts where their kids can get more playing time. Some kids are handed the best shoes or swimsuits or balls or bats. The unfairness is, in many ways, inextricable. But only one perceived unfairness — no matter how uncommon or exaggerated it is — is seen as a way to get more votes. Post Opinions wants to know: Should we redesign youth sports to make them less expensive and more accessible? Share your responses and they might be published as letters to the editor.
STV News
2 days ago
- Business
- STV News
Aberdeen announce extension of defender Mats Knoester's contract
Aberdeen have extended the contract of defender Mats Knoester following their Scottish Cup success. Knoester, who joined the club in the winter transfer window, was player of the match in the Dons' dramatic win over Celtic at Hampden, capping an impressive start to life as an Aberdeen player. The 26-year-old signed a two-and-a-half-year contract when he made the move from Ferencvaros in February but the Pittodrie club have moved swiftly to tie him down on a new deal that runs until 2029. Aberdeen say Knoester 'played a crucial role in the team's recent success and the new deal reflects the club's commitment to building a strong, stable squad for the future.' The defender said everything felt in place for his time at the club to be a success and he was happy to commit his long-term future to the Dons. 'The past few months have been very positive for me and since day one, my family and I have been made to feel very welcome,' he said. 'I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. 'Extending my contract feels like the right thing to do. The club has fantastic infrastructure, passionate supporters, and a clear direction for the future.' Manager Jimmy Thelin said: 'Mats has been an outstanding addition to our squad, both on and off the pitch, since his arrival at the start of the year. 'Securing his services for the next four years is a significant step for us as we continue to build a competitive team capable of competing on all fronts next season. We're pleased that Mats sees his long-term future here at Aberdeen.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Press and Journal
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Mats Knoester: Scottish Cup win with Aberdeen is career highlight
Aberdeen defender Mats Knoester has added a Scottish Cup winner's medal to his collection and the Dutchman insists his latest addition is his most prized of all. Knoester has a KNVB Cup winner's medal with Feyenoord from 2018 and won the Hungarian league title with Ferencvaros in 2023. But the central defender has put his first Scottish medal to the top of the pecking order after playing a starring role in the Dons' penalty shootout win against Celtic at Hampden on Saturday. The 26-year-old said: 'This one is the best by far, even better than winning a league because it means more. 'At Ferencvaros, you have to win every year. Here you can see it's been so long. There are more emotions. 'You should just look around you and take it all in. It's a lot to describe. It means a lot and the man of the match award as well. Doubling up is really good.' Adding to the Aberdeen defender's joy was being able to celebrate his victory in Scotland with his family. He said: 'Everybody was here, my mum and dad as well, my brothers. It means a lot. 'You wouldn't see it on my dad's face, but inside, he would have been very happy, emotional and everything. 'In our family we are calm. You don't see it from the outside, but definitely from the inside, it means a lot.' Knoester, who was a powerhouse at the back alongside young team-mates Jack Milne and Alfie Dorrington, was primed to add another element to his cup final tale during the shootout. The defender was due to take Aberdeen's fifth penalty before goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov saved Alistair Johnston's spot-kick to bring the cup back to Aberdeen for the first time since 1990. The Dutchman joked: 'I was fifth. I was ready and Dimi saved it. I gave him the biggest hug afterwards. 'My penalties in practice were good so I had confidence. But, of course, it's nice if you can finish it early. The earlier, the better.' Jimmy Thelin's side ended a 30-game winless run against the Hoops and ended the league and League Cup winners' hopes of a domestic treble. Victory at Hampden also ended Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers' perfect record, both in the competition and at the National Stadium. Given the one-sided nature of the previous recent encounters, it is understandable why Celtic were such strong favourites. But Knoester and his team-mates' belief was unshakeable. He said: 'We had previous matches with Celtic, of course. They're a good team, they're a really good team. They win a lot of prizes. 'We knew we had to change our tactic and maybe do something different. This was our plan and it worked out well. So I'm very happy with that. 'They scored one goal out of a set-piece, not out of open play, which is frustrating. 'You know, you're defending so well and then you get a set-piece. 'But we said to each other, 'The one thing that can't happen is if they score a goal or we score a goal and we change'. 'That's happened in the past few games. 'So we said, 'Just stick to the game plan'. Then the longer the game went, it was still 1-0 and we got some good transitions. 'Then you start to feel, 'Okay, we only need this one half chance'. Then it goes in and then it actually happens. 'Of course, it has to work out in the end. But we did believe in it, yeah, definitely.' Aberdeen's cup win was one achieved by sheer grit and determination from the men in red. Knoester epitomised the effort by being the only member of the back three to last the full 120 minutes. He said: 'I didn't really feel it. Of course, you feel tired after 120 minutes, but I still felt like I could go on. It's a good sign that I'm fit. 'This was a good team performance. If you put it on paper, you would say Celtic are the better team. 'But then you need to come up with character and a team sticking together. That's what we did. 'For me, personally, it's just about belief in yourself, in your team, in the tactics. And shutting down all the noise around you. 'Then you prove them wrong. So, it's the best feeling.' The icing on the cake of course, was guaranteed European group stage football next season. Knoester said: 'We have it all now, huh? Nobody would say that before. So, I think that's the nicest thing.'
The National
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Why Mats Knoester was so happy about Aberdeen keeper's final heroics
Many of them – those of them, that is, who didn't drop to their knees in disbelief at the end of a mentally and physically exhausting encounter with their treble-chasing rivals – rushed over to congratulate the Bulgarian goalkeeper. The bear hug which Mitov received from centre-half Mats Knoester, the Dutch centre-half who had performed brilliantly in front of him for the full 120 minutes and who was subsequently named Man of the Match, was a little bit tighter than the others. 'I was due to take the fifth penalty,' said Knoester with a broad grin as he looked back on Aberdeen's epic 4-2 penalty shootout success. 'I was ready and Demi saved it. I gave him the biggest hug afterwards.' The unexpected triumph may have ended a 35 year wait to lift the Scottish Cup for Aberdeen – but Knoester himself has won major silverware before having helped former club Ferencvaros to be crowned Hungarian champions two years ago. The 26-year-old defender, though, felt that the weekend win was a far greater achievement given what it meant to Aberdeen and their supporters. (Image: Andrew Milligan) 'This one is the best by far, even better than winning a league,' he said. 'Because it means more. At Ferencvaros, you have to win every year. Here you can see it's been so long. There are more emotions. You should just look around you and take it all in. It's a lot to describe. It means a lot. 'For me personally, it's just about having belief in yourself, in your team, in the tactics. And shutting down all the noise around you. Then you prove them wrong. So, it's the best feeling.' Knoester revealed that he was firmly behind manager Jimmy Thelin's surprise decision to switch from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-4-3 set-up and argued that it had ultimately secured the victory. Read more: 'We had previous matches with Celtic of course,' he said. 'They're a good team, they're a really good team. They win a lot of prizes. We knew we had to change our tactic and maybe do something different. This was our plan and it worked out well. So, yeah, I'm very happy with that. 'They scored one goal out of a set-piece, not out of open play, which was a bit s***. You know, you're defending so well and then you get a set-piece. But we said, 'The one thing that can't happen is if they score a goal or we score a goal and we change'. That's happened in the past few games. 'So we said, 'Just stick to the game plan'. Then the longer the game went, it was still 1-0 and we got some good transitions. Then you start to feel, 'Okay, we only need this one half chance'. Then it goes in and then it actually happens. Of course, it has to work out in the end. But we did believe in it, yeah, definitely. 'This was a good team performance. If you put it on paper, you would say Celtic is the better team. But then you need to come up with character and a team sticking together. That's what we did.'
Glasgow Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Why Mats Knoester was so happy about Aberdeen keeper's final heroics
Many of them – those of them, that is, who didn't drop to their knees in disbelief at the end of a mentally and physically exhausting encounter with their treble-chasing rivals – rushed over to congratulate the Bulgarian goalkeeper. The bear hug which Mitov received from centre-half Mats Knoester, the Dutch centre-half who had performed brilliantly in front of him for the full 120 minutes and who was subsequently named Man of the Match, was a little bit tighter than the others. 'I was due to take the fifth penalty,' said Knoester with a broad grin as he looked back on Aberdeen's epic 4-2 penalty shootout success. 'I was ready and Demi saved it. I gave him the biggest hug afterwards.' The unexpected triumph may have ended a 35 year wait to lift the Scottish Cup for Aberdeen – but Knoester himself has won major silverware before having helped former club Ferencvaros to be crowned Hungarian champions two years ago. The 26-year-old defender, though, felt that the weekend win was a far greater achievement given what it meant to Aberdeen and their supporters. (Image: Andrew Milligan) 'This one is the best by far, even better than winning a league,' he said. 'Because it means more. At Ferencvaros, you have to win every year. Here you can see it's been so long. There are more emotions. You should just look around you and take it all in. It's a lot to describe. It means a lot. 'For me personally, it's just about having belief in yourself, in your team, in the tactics. And shutting down all the noise around you. Then you prove them wrong. So, it's the best feeling.' Knoester revealed that he was firmly behind manager Jimmy Thelin's surprise decision to switch from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-4-3 set-up and argued that it had ultimately secured the victory. Read more: 'We had previous matches with Celtic of course,' he said. 'They're a good team, they're a really good team. They win a lot of prizes. We knew we had to change our tactic and maybe do something different. This was our plan and it worked out well. So, yeah, I'm very happy with that. 'They scored one goal out of a set-piece, not out of open play, which was a bit s***. You know, you're defending so well and then you get a set-piece. But we said, 'The one thing that can't happen is if they score a goal or we score a goal and we change'. That's happened in the past few games. 'So we said, 'Just stick to the game plan'. Then the longer the game went, it was still 1-0 and we got some good transitions. Then you start to feel, 'Okay, we only need this one half chance'. Then it goes in and then it actually happens. Of course, it has to work out in the end. But we did believe in it, yeah, definitely. 'This was a good team performance. If you put it on paper, you would say Celtic is the better team. But then you need to come up with character and a team sticking together. That's what we did.'
