About me, the founder of Verote
I have lived in Newmarket, Ontario since 2011 with my wife and two sons, now 9 and 14 years old. I have always enjoyed physical activity, growing up happily in a time when play was standard practice. Movement is part of our family’s fabric – forest walks, tobogganing, skating, winter trail hikes, biking, handstand challenges, rock climbing, working out, etc. One of the most important values my wife and I want to impart to our boys is to adopt and maintain a physically active lifestyle.
Although I played many sports, my preferred sport from the age of 7 was soccer. I started playing recreationally, then transitioned to rep by the age of 12. I continued through university, where I played for my campus. After graduating from U of T, I continued playing soccer regularly through adulthood, even as I pursued a career in technology. I began in IT Networking and Consulting and then transitioned into a role as a Digital Marketing Consultant almost 20 years ago. I’m currently (as of 2022) writing the next chapter of my life with what I want to be doing for work…full-time. Following my passion has been a long time coming!
Once we had children, it was natural for me to take on the role of soccer coach for my first son in 2016. In 2020, I completed the HOCKEY TRAINERS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (HTCP Level 1) in order to become the trainer for my son’s hockey team. Whatever sport my sons participate in, I’ll be found coaching or supporting the coaching staff in some capacity. I currently coach both of my sons’ soccer and basketball teams.
My Purpose/Gift
My first love is engaging with kids. As early as 9 years old, I remember feeling pure joy when I could get a kid to laugh. It brings me the same level of happiness and satisfaction even to this day. You could say, engaging with children is my gift. My natural ability to connect with them has been so easy that I never recognized it as a gift until my 30s. After having my own children, I realized that connecting with children doesn’t come naturally to everyone. I’ve realized this gift of mine is rare, powerful, and can add value to the life of many children.
Why a sports camp?
As a child growing up in the 70s and 80s, I did not have to seek out physical activity. Kids playing on their own terms, without adult direction, was the norm, and that was usually when they were happiest (and still are). Experiencing that level of joy through play is still accessible – except that the frequency with which kids physically play is sadly dwindling. The shouting and laughter outside until the street lights come on, the inquiring knock at the door followed by “Can Marcus come out to play?”, or hearing my Mom shout “Marcus, dinner!” are now moments in history.
My friends and I played all kinds of sports, not because we were talented athletes but because through regular play we developed basic competency with moving our bodies. So when a football, frisbee, soccer ball, hockey stick, skipping rope or whatever type of equipment appeared we would be willing to try out the activity. Sometimes playing something came easily to me, other times I had to work at it until I became capable. And anytime I got better at a particular activity, it not only became more fun, but my confidence would grow. I want to introduce kids to a multitude of sports and activity with the hope they find something they really enjoy, discover their capabilities, grow their confidence and have a bunch of fun along the way.
The ability to catch and throw, somersault, cartwheel, jump rope, run, hop, pull/push one’s body weight – all standard practice when I was a kid, are now lacking for many children.
Low physical activity as a child will likely lead to low physical activity as an adult, in part, due to feeling less confident in our abilities when we don’t have a basic foundation. We typically gravitate to the things we are capable and confident doing. Physical activity is a critical component in a child’s social development, self-confidence, emotional management, and well-being.
I’d like to give kids the opportunity to run, catch, throw, chase, jump and more, without the pressure of winning, or being evaluated. I’d like to ensure they are confident in their physical abilities, and have a blast while getting there.
My goal is to make sports fun, a place where we celebrate everyone’s achievements. I have created an environment where kids can be exposed to a variety of sports, be given some instruction, some encouragement, and then let them take it from there…let the play flourish!
By combining my two passions: children+ physical activity, I am embarking on a campaign to affect the future by encouraging more movement and self-directed activity in kids lives now.
I founded Verote Inc. in 2022 to support my movement and play campaign.
Join me!
