Facilitating Youth Sports Programs

A presentation on the current environment of youth sports, as well as organizations, ideas and certifications can assist facilitators in offering safe and sun youth sport programs. Presented at the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association Region 9 Mini-Conference in 2014.

1. Facilitating Youth Sports Programs Laura M. Rice Henderson County Parks & Recreation Department

2. Youth Sports Organized team sports Individual sports Club sports Provided by recreation departments, private youth sport organizations, for-profit organizations, non-profits, schools

3. The Goals Increased wellbeing Helping youth in the community achieve more physical activity Life skills development Skill building

4. The Challenges Facilitating competitive youth sports Attracting new participants Retaining participants As always...doing more with less!

5. Your challenges?

6. Two Extremes

7. So... How do we redefine our approach and provide sport activities that engage and reach youth?

8. 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

9. 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?

10. 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)

11. Your sports philosophy?

12. Organized Team Sports National and State Organizations Little League SWAC Cal Ripkin Pop Warner Football and Cheer NCYSA & AYSO Babe Ruth Softball US Lacrosse

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Parent Support Standards and safe operating practices Liability coverage Chain of command Information resource Set standard of behavior

17. Administrator Training & Support Policies and procedures Risk management system and standards Yearly Soccer Show Seasonal regional meetings Support staff at state office

18. 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?

19. 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

20. Benefits of Individual Sports Motor skill development Mental development Physical fitness Confidence Coping skills Independent thinking Easily accessible Limited equipment

21. 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

22. HCPRD Club Taught basic riding skills and bike 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

23. Mountain Bike Races Free youth race for 4-10yrs USA Cycling sanctioned Part of Summer Short Track mountain bike race series

24. Increased use of bike skills park Family event Required permitting charge through USAC and insurance fee per rider Provides age-appropriate competition

25. 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

26. 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

27. Look outside the box....what activities or sports can you bring to your organization that get kids involved?

28. 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

29. 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