I also posted this on the AAA board.

The email below was forwarded to me this morning. Anyone tried it?

As some of you already know, my kids spend a lot of time playing sports. And it is not unusual for them to have multiple events the same day. For example, yesterday, Jane had hockey and two soccer games. Last year, when Will was playing two travel sports (hockey and soccer) plus basketball and baseball, it was almost certain that he would have multiple sporting events the same day. As a result, Bethany and I began researching sports nutrition to see what we could do to ensure that our kids were not too tired and could perform their best, even while playing multiple sports. This research led us to some conclusions. First, there are no products specifically designed for pre-game nutrition. The closest we are aware of is the new G1 by Gatorade. But that product is not specifically designed for youth athletes and it ignores some of the most recent developments in sports nutrition. Second, the only sports drinks designed for youth athletes (such as Powerade Play) are really nothing more than smaller versions of the adult drink or "watered down" versions (Powerade Play, for example, removes a lot of the carbs--one benefit of sports drink). Third, there are no products in the market that take into account the most recent research related to sports performance. At most, companies like Gatorade and Powerade rely on a subset of that research (that carbs are good) and ignore the rest.

Based on this research, and after a lot of additional investigation, last year Bethany and I retained a beverage consulting firm to design a pre-game sports drink for youth athletes that is based on the most recent science surrounding sports performance, particularly youth sports performance. The company we ultimately hired, among other products, designed Jones Soda and has been retained by a number of other major U.S. companies, including Chiquita, to develop beverages for them. After a lengthy design process and an even longer testing phase, we eventually settled on a flavor and a formula. According to the kids who taste-tested it for us (and many of your children were among the taste testers), they love the flavor (grape). Perhaps more importantly, the kids who've tested it for us have also reported that they play better when they drink it before a game or practice.

In addition to the foregoing testing, we retained a Ph.D. in nutrition (a retired professor from Vanderbilt) to analyze our formula and determine whether the anecdotal evidence we received from our youth athletes that this drink improves performance, actually does so, based on the most recent research in sports nutrition. This Ph.D. nutritionist has confirmed that the new drink is 100% safe for youth athletes and that it will, in fact, improve athletic performance. He is in the process of preparing a white paper for us which will be posted on our website as soon as it is complete.

It has been a long process--nearly a year--but we recently completed our first manufacturing run. The first ever pre-game sports drink for youth athletes, which we've named T4G (short for Thirst for Greatness), is now available at our website www.thirst4greatness.com. Please check it out. To the extent you have youth athletes in your family, and I know a lot of you do, I encourage you to try T4G. I guarantee it will improve their performance. To the extent you do not have kids, I would ask that you please forward this email (or at least the link) to any friends or family members who might be interested.

You should also know that there is an ancillary benefit in the event T4G is successful. We will be donating a significant portion of the profits from T4G to charities directed at improving the lives of underprivileged youths. If you have any suggestions for our initial charitable donations, please email me.

If you have any questions not answered by our website (www.thirst4greatness.com), shoot me an email at [email protected]

I'm familiar with this drink. It was developed by a hockey family from Wilmette. My son was one of the kids who tested it. He likes how it tastes. He says it tastes like a melted grape popsicle. He has also asked me to but it for him now that it is for sale. He's told me that it gives him a lot of energy and makes him play better. Maybe it's the placebo effect or maybe it really works. All I know is I've ordered some for him because if he thinks it makes a difference, then it makes a difference.

Wilmette will need more than a melted grape popsicle drink to make them better players. Maybe put a picture of Bob Melton on it so he is with you in spirit.

My kids eat skittles before the games and have tons of energy.

That was funny! Wilmette will need a whole lot of help with Melton gone. I hear they lost players at all levels since his firing. The Bantam teams alone are brutal. Serves them right I guess.

Keep pumping energy sport chemicals into your kids. Wont mess them up later in life. The absolute best energy and recovery drink in the world is apple juice. Ask your doctor!

This "youth sports improvement" drink is a load of crap! This could be considered child abuse. Give your kids some rest, hockey pluss 2 soccer games, and you think this is normal! Develop a drink to give your kids energy to perform. Kids need rest for their bodies to recover naturaly. DONT BLINK, YOU MIGHT MISS THEIR CHILDHOOD, SLOW DOWN!

Does it strike anyone as odd (or at least ironic) that all the "ads" on this post are for sports drinks, starting with Gatorade on the original post? Stick to water and good between-game nutrition, my friends.

I, for one, try to avoid caffeine for my kids. The last thing they need is caffeine and sugar. How about water... and some fun time.

Kamikazees and cosmos, and wash it down with some nyquil. good to go!

Thanks Hockey Mom, for responding with some information that is actually helpful. I did a little research and it looks like the flamers on this board are way off base--not that that's a surprise. The drink seems backed by research, and so I've bought a box. I'll re-post something once my kids have a chance to try it.

if you mix that with some Canadien Club, not only do the kids sleep good after the game, but you could probably pick up a few partyers to hang out with you after the game. works great with tourney hotel fun

How many you believe, as I do, that the original post, hockey mom, and the second "pro post" are all part of the same group of marketers for this drink. I REALLY struggle with each of your emphasis on "improving your child's performance" because of a soft drink. Maybe I'm old fashioned but i thought PRACTICE helped improve my kids performance. This kind of marketing is, IMO, offensive.