Across the country and around the world, we hear a common refrain that “sport develops people.” At the Aspen Institute and within the context of Project Play, we agree, but with an important qualifier: In order for organized sport to deliver on its promise for youth development, we need skilled coaches.
Why training park and recreation coaches on social and emotional skills is important
How park and recreation agencies can empower coaches in the return to play
Race in America: Can cops as coaches in youth sports offer some healing?
What if as a society we more intentionally found a way for White police officers to connect with Black and Latino youth and their families positively? What if more cops actually know the names of people who they serve and become familiar with who they are? Could barriers come down to regain some level of trust by police and communities if they see each other in a new light through sports?
NGB Council chair: It’s time for USOPC, NGBs to require youth coach training
Player advice for coaches on mental health: “Don’t talk at me, talk to me”
Events of the past few months have brought high anxiety, grief and trauma for kids and families. As we return to play, what actions can we take to ensure that life skills and mental health are central to kids’ sports experiences? What role can adults play in shaping these experiences? Read highlights from Project Play’s webinar.
We’re losing too many irreplaceable youth sports coaches to COVID-19
Training coaches; creating shared-use agreements; juggling 2 sports in 1 season
As youth sports becomes more commercialized, parents have become more stressed. Some kids are left behind, missing out on the benefits of sports due to money or ability. Other kids are having poor experiences due to the adults (coaches, parents, league organizers), causing them to quit sports altogether. Parents are left to navigate the confusing and frustrating world of sports on their own. Project Play is here to help.
Why good coaches matter
There’s a boy I coached a couple seasons ago in U-9 rec soccer. He’s a good kid at heart who shows such beautiful joy in sports. He’s also prone to distraction and occasional disruption because of ADHD. Early in our soccer season, he looked like a defeated kid. He was so used to getting disciplined by teachers at school that when I sat him once for being disruptive at practice, he replied, “I know the drill,” and took a seat without complaining.