I've been inside million-dollar training centers where kids were miserable and seen grassroots clubs with rusty equipment produce Olympic champions. The facilities myth is seductive because writing checks is easier than changing behavior—but it's destroying programs.
Three Key Points:
Great athletes emerge from relationships, not facilities
Money often masks fundamental problems instead of solving them
The most successful programs focus on people, not infrastructure
Athletes don't care about your facilities—they care about how you make them feel.
The most powerful “facility” in sport isn't a building; it's a coach who knows every athlete's name, goals, and challenges.
Money can't buy caring coaches, supportive cultures, or communities where people feel valued.
Self-reflection question: Are you investing more in your facilities or in the relationships that actually create champions?
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