Here's a sporting story you only hear a few times in your life.

"They are a great champion. They've always been brilliant. Even from an early age, they were always the best. Fantastic at 10. Amazing at 12. Incredible at 14. Unbeatable at 16. And now they're the best in the world at 20."

Tiger Woods. The Williams sisters. A handful of others.

But here's what I call THE REAL SPORTING SUCCESS STORY:

"They played a lot of sport when they were a kid. Football, little athletics, swam for a season or two. Played hockey at school and a few seasons of baseball. When they went to high school they had a coach who really inspired them to play basketball. For a year or two they played football on weekends, but we started to see them just grab their basketball, head down to the local court and practise by themselves or with a few friends. At 16 they decided they loved basketball first and gave up the other sports. Had a tough year with some injuries and setbacks but they kept going and got a college scholarship. First year of college was really hard; they sat on the bench for most of it. But that only made them more determined. MVP second year and third year at college, then recruited into the NBA."

Parents, coaches: you have to let go of the Child Champion myth.

The idea that your child or your athlete is that one in a hundred million who is great from 6 years of age until they get recruited by a pro team or win Olympic gold.

Persistence WINS.

Determination WINS.

Resilience WINS.

6 year old champions don't.

DON’T WORSHIP PHYSICAL TALENT!!!