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CHKD and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame are teaming up to help young athletes play their best game by building mental wellness.

Former professional and collegiate athletes will join sports medicine and mental health experts in a “Building Mental Wellness, Boosting Sports Performance” forum to discuss the role of mental health in youth sports from 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 11 at the Chartway Arena Big Blue room, 4320 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk. Local broadcaster Kerri Furey will serve as moderator.

Parents, coaches, trainers and student-athletes will learn the signs of pressure, anxiety and stress that young athletes may experience and their impact on performance and well-being. Forum speakers will also discuss the value of being a well-rounded athlete and how to maintain physical and mental skills that can last a lifetime.

Panelists will discuss both the mental and physical reasons why 70 percent of kids drop out of sports by the age of 13, and the supportive role parents and coaches can play to keep them in the game.

Panelists will include:

• Michael Cuddyer, a Chesapeake native and two-time Major League Baseball All-Star who spent 15 seasons in MLB.
• Eugene Holloman, a Virginia Beach native and former star running back for James Madison University.
• Jada Waters, 13, a competitive dancer and CHKD sports medicine patient.
• Dr. Joel Brenner, medical director of CHKD’s sports medicine program.
• Dr. Daniel Spencer, pediatric psychiatrist at CHKD and a former collegiate athlete.

To register, visit CHKD.org/Classes.