facilitating youth sports programs
TRANSCRIPT
Youth Sports
Organized team sports Individual sports Club sports
Provided by recreation departments, private youth sport organizations, for-profit organizations, non-profits, schools
The Goals
Increased wellbeingHelping youth in the community
achieve more physical activityLife skills developmentSkill building
The Challenges
Facilitating competitive youth sportsAttracting new participantsRetaining participantsAs always...doing more with less!
The Facts
One in three children are physically active each day
Children spend 7.5+ hours in front of a screen daily
28% of Americans are physically inactive CDC recommends at least 60 minutes of
physical activity per day for ages 6-17 4% decline in organized sport participation
between 2008-2012
Define the Culture
What do you want to accomplish? Increase physical activity? Build a championship travel team? Promote the FUN of sports? Expose children to a wide range of
activities? Grow non-traditional activities? Get parents involved?
Culture Definitions
National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) Recommendations for Communities
Established policies and procedures National leagues or organizations (Little League, US
Youth Soccer Assoc, SWAC, Cal Ripken, Pop Warner Football and Cheer, USTA Jr Tennis)
Organized Team Sports
National and State Organizations Little League SWAC Cal Ripkin Pop Warner Football and Cheer NCYSA & AYSO Babe Ruth Softball US Lacrosse
Recreation Soccer
North Carolina Youth Soccer Association sanctioned through local club
Kindergarten-high school Focus on development and FUN Feeder for higher levels of play
Benefits to Players
Recreation—Classic levels of play Olympic Development Program Age-appropriate training Emphasis on free play Supplemental liability
coverage Safe program with coaches
passing background checks
Coach Training and Support
Background Checks NCYSA Coaching Curriculum Training Plans Licenses and Certificates Liability Insurance Recognition
Mike Ericksen, NC Boys Recreation Coach of the Year, Region III Coach of the Year, USYS Coach of the Year 2013
Parent Support
Standards and safe operating practices
Liability coverage Chain of command Information resource Set standard of behavior
Administrator Training & Support
Policies and procedures Risk management system and standards Yearly Soccer Show Seasonal regional meetings Support staff at state office
Ultimately, are the kids having fun, and are they developing skills and knowledge
about the sport?
Is the culture there to support the program goals?
Individual Participation Sports
Activities that encourage whole-body fitness Bike and Skate Parks Challenge Races (mud run, color run, Spartan dash) Tennis Running Programs Bike Clubs Swimming
Benefits of Individual Sports
Motor skill development Mental development Physical fitness Confidence Coping skills Independent thinking Easily accessible Limited equipment
Trips for Kids Bike Club
Use bicycles as a vehicle for lessons in confidence building, achievement, health, fitness and environmental awareness through the development of practical skills and the simple act of having fun.
All bikes and helmets are provided Programs are typically free or very
low cost Local chapter of national organization
HCPRD Club
Taught basic riding skills andbike safety
Led two summer sessions with dept staff and volunteers
Small groups Equipment provided by TFK
WNC Trips also led by TFK directly School or club based
Mountain Bike Races
Free youth race for 4-10yrs USA Cycling sanctioned Part of Summer Short Track
mountain bike race series
Increased use of bike skills park
Family event Required permitting charge
through USAC and insurance fee per rider
Provides age-appropriate competition
Girls on the Run
5K training combined with life lessions Partnership program Dept provided space Coaches, registration, training provided by GOTR First year of expanding to parks and recreation
sites
USTA 10 and Under & Junior Tennis
Instructed by volunteers and paid staff from local USTA club
Modified courts, balls and racquets
End of session tournament
Registration and promotion handled by dept
Look outside the box....what activities or sports can you bring to your
organization that get kids involved?
Resources
North Carolina Youth Soccer Association USA Cycling/International Mountain Bike
Association Trips for Kids WNC Girls on the Run WNC United States Tennis Association National Alliance of Youth Sports: Certified Youth
Sport Administers NRPA CPRP
Sources
CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/physicalactivity/facts.htm
President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition: http://www.fitness.gov/resource-center/facts-and-statistics/
Youth Participation Weakens in Basketball, Football, Baseball, Soccer: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303519404579350892629229918