NAYS Youth Sports Parent of the Year: Junko Vanoverberghe

12/11/2019

Pictured above (from left to right) is NAYS Youth Sports Parent of the Year Junko Vanoverberghe and Joe Janosky, director of the Sports Safety Program at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) Education Institute, which sponsored the award.

Junko Vanoverberghe possesses all the qualities you could ever want in a youth sports parent – and more.

This tireless mom of two does everything she can to help ensure all participants in the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Fort Story Youth Program in Virginia Beach have rewarding experiences.

She is this year’s recipient of the NAYS Youth Sports Parent of the Year award for her terrific efforts.

“It is so amazing, and it is such an honor,” Vanoverberghe said. “I still can’t believe it.”

She has helped out with the basketball, soccer and flag football programs, even studying up on rules and researching drills so she’s fully prepared in case she has to step in to coach.

“I search on-line and watch videos and see which drills look like fun,” she said. “I mostly coach the little ones, so I look for something interesting, otherwise they get bored.”

She’s a big proponent of fair play and good sportsmanship, continually reminding youngsters of how important those values are while competing.

“Sportsmanship and fair play is so important,” Vanoverberghe said. “I encourage them to be respectful and honest.”

Plus, she keeps all the parents on her team informed of practice and game schedules, cancellations and the end of the year party.

Somehow, she also finds time to volunteer to help out the Youth Center staff with the various field trips that are conducted for children throughout the year.

Caring and helpful, with a gigantic heart of gold, this beloved member of the community is a truly outstanding youth sports parent who is impacting young lives every day in a variety of ways.

Parenting Sportsmanship Respect Fair Play

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