FACILITATING YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS

Laura M. Rice Henderson County Parks & Recreation Department

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!

Your challenges?

Two Extremes

So...

How do we redefine our approach and

provide sport activities that engage

and reach youth?

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)

Your sports philosophy?

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