This document outlines a presentation by the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) about youth sports programs. NAYS is a nonprofit founded in 1981 that has trained over 4 million youth sports coaches. The presentation discusses how youth sports have evolved, focusing more on winning and specialization, and the benefits children can gain from participation, such as teamwork, fitness, and leadership skills. It also outlines NAYS' qualifications for quality youth sports programs and awards for exemplary programs. Examples are given of municipalities that have implemented NAYS' guidance to positive effect, improving safety, coaching quality, and participation.

1. nays.org
A League of Their Own
Highlighting Outstanding Youth Sports Programs

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DIRECTOR,
EDUCATION
PROGRAMS
KATE NEMATOLLAHI

3. • Nonprofit organization
• Founded in 1981
• Trained more than 4
million youth sports
coaches,
administrators, officials
and parents
3

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1
QUALITY DESIGNATION2
EXCELLENCE IN YOUTH SPORTS AWARD3
AWARD WINNING ORGANIZATIONS4
TODAY’S AGENDA
YOUTH SPORTS DISCUSSION

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YOUTH SPORTS GENERAL DISCUSSION
How has youth
sports changed?

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EVOLUTION OF YOUTH SPORTS
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START
SANDLOT
ADULT
INVOLVEMENT

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EVOLUTION OF YOUTH SPORTS
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ALL-STARS AND
TRAVEL
EMPHASIS ON
WINNING
SPECIALIZATION
LONGER
SEASONS
YOUNGER AGE
OF
PARTICIPANTS

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EVOLUTION OF YOUTH SPORTS
8
?
PRIVATE/VOLUNTEER
YOUTH SPORTS
ORGANIZATIONS
PHYS ED REDUCTION
IN SCHOOLS
OBESITY/INACTIVITY
SPORTS DROPOUT %

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• Discipline
• Communication
• Playing by the rules
• Teamwork
• Win/Lose
• Motivation
• Commitment
• Leadership
• Positive outlook
• And so on!
• FUN!
• Self-confidence
• Self-esteem
• Sports skills
• Social skills
• Sportsmanship
• Fitness
• Physical activity
• Respect
• Conflict
resolution
What positive benefits do we want children to gain
from participation in youth sports?

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Religious
Organizations
Religious
Organizations
Community Based
Organizations
PAL
Community Based
Organizations
Boys & Girls Club
Community Based
Organizations
YMCA/YWCA
Private Facilities
Private Facilities
Private Facilities
Public Facilities
Public Facilities
Public Facilities
Public Facilities
Public Facilities
Public Facilities
Little League
Private Facilities
AYSO
Public Facilities
Military
Public Facilities
AYSO

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Remember:
“Looks can be deceiving!”

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Who offers the best programs?
How do organizations differentiate their programs?
How do parents make decisions?
Is there confusion about who offers programs?

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They deserve QUALITY – right?

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1. Written policies and
procedures
2. Volunteer screening
3. Coach training
4. Parent education
5. Accountability
Does your organization
have what it takes?
5 CATEGORIES OF QUALITY

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SELF - ASSESSMENT

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EARN THE DESIGNATION
• Apply at www.nays.org/quality
• All “Yes”? We verify it.
• Documents are reviewed.
• An official letter, certificate, digital logos and window
clings will be sent to your organization along with a
promotional guide to help you let everyone know that
your programs stands out!
• The designation is valid for a 2-year period
(then a renewal process will extend it for another cycle)

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EXCELLENCE IN YOUTH SPORTS AWARDS
• Only available for
organizations that have
earned the Better Sports
for Kids Quality Program
Provider designation!
• Given for a specific
initiative, process,
project, campaign,
element or component of
a program that goes
above and beyond (not
the organization as a
whole)
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7TH INNING STRETCH
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CITY OF ARLINGTON (TX)
PARKS AND RECREATION

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CITY OF ARLINGTON (TX)
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• No youth sports programming prior to 2008
• Promote recreational philosophy proudly
• Clearly differentiate from competitive leagues
• Now 7000+ participants

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CITY OF ARLINGTON (TX)
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• Policy and Procedures Manual >> View
Sportsmanship Policy
• Coaches Manual
• Parents Manual
• “Stars of the Parks” Video highlighting a
youth baseball umpire

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CITY OF TAMARAC (FL)
RECREATION AND PARKS

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CITY OF TAMARAC (FL)
24
• Opted to seize control of youth sports programs
run by parent groups in the name of child safety
• Implemented a comprehensive background
screening protocol, maintaining records for all
coaches that use their facilities
• Quality of coaches has been upgraded
• Participation at an all time high

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CITY OF TAMARAC (FL)
25
• POLICY: Background Screening for Volunteers
Providing Services to Youth/Minors or Other
Vulnerable Populations
• Volunteer Packet

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USAG ALASKA
YOUTH SPORTS AND FITNESS

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USAG ALASKA
27
• Unique challenges due to weather and daylight
• Innovative non-traditional sports programs
• Encourage sport sampling through multi-sport
adventure camps
• Programs in demand all year long

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USAG ALASKA
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• Youth sports Adventure Camp info
• Year-round youth sports offerings

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PLANNING FOR SUCCESS - RESOURCES
• Four Core Areas to
provide national policy
guidance
• Offers specific policies
and procedures
• Assists decision making
process

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PLANNING FOR SUCCESS - RESOURCES
• Five components of
thorough screening
process
• Disqualifiers
• Essential document
review

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PLANNING FOR SUCCESS - TIPS
• Earn the Quality designation – nays.org/quality
• Become a Certified Youth Sports Administrator
(CYSA)
• Position yourself and your department as the
leader and mentor for all the other youth sports
program providers
• Gather all organizations that use your facilities on
a regular basis
• Help others to earn the designation
• Be a conduit for information, policy, direction and
SHARE resources

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MORE FROM NAYS
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ANNUAL YOUTH SPORTS
CONGRESS
ACADEMY FOR YOUTH SPORTS
ADMINISTRATORS
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS
VOLUNTEER EDUCATION

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MORE FROM NAYS
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SPORTINGKID LIVE WEBSITE NAYS BLOG
FREE TRAININGS FREE RESOURCES

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National Alliance for Youth Sports
1-800-688-5437
nays.org
Thank you for all you do for the children in
your community!
nationalalliance4ys
@NAYS_edu
NationalAlliance4YS
national-alliance-for-youth-sports
naysyouthsports
nays.org