Youth Sports Resources

Youth sports are a great way to teach children about proper sportsmanship, working in teams and following the rules. There are many ways that young people can be involved in sports, depending on what they enjoy doing. There are organizations in every part of the country that promote and encourage young people to participate in sports. These organizations act as resources for kids and parents who choose to become involved in sports.

  1. National Alliance for Youth Sports

    • The National Alliance for Youth Sports is a non-profit organization based in Florida. The organization's goal is to act as an advocate for youth sports all around the country, promoting positive and safe experiences in youth sports for children, adding value to the programs. The NAYS offers a wide variety of programs that benefit youth sports organizations, including training and educating people who are involved in every aspect of organizing youth sports. Volunteer coaches, officials or referees and administrative personnel receive guidance and support from the NAYS' many programs and training tools.

    Responsible Sports Resource Center

    • The Responsible Sports Resource Center's mission is to maintain a level of responsibility for everyone involved in youth sports. The Resource Center strives to maintain an environment surrounding youth sports that is both safe and educational. The experience of youth sports should build character while the environment is both fun and free from dangerous situations. The Responsible Sports Resource Center aims to educate players, coaches and parents alike, educating everyone involved in youth sports on ways to avoid or resolve conflicts that might arise during the course of sporting events, practices or team activities.

    Champions of Character

    • Champions of Character is an organization that strives to better youth sports by encouraging youth athletes and involving their parents in a program that aims to promote a value system of five core values that every youth athlete should try to adhere to at all times. The core values of the Champions of Character are integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. The values of integrity, respect and responsibility are taken on internally by the individual, based on his behavior during sports. Sportsmanship is promoted by treating all of your opponents with respect and playing fairly at all time and servant leadership involves promoting the greater good, taking skills and ethics that you learn in sports and taking them out to make your community a better place.

    Sport-Specific Resources

    • Many youth sports have organizations that are specifically designed to promote fair play and good sportsmanship within their individual sports. Examples of this would be the Little League Baseball organization, Pop Warner youth football and cheerleading organization and USA Hockey's Youth Organization. Most sports, whether they be team sports like soccer or an individual sport like golf or tennis, have resources in place to help parents and their children answer any questions or concerns that they may have when it comes to being involved in youth sports.