Reform or Recognition? What America's Youth Sport Programs Need

Youth sport programming in the United States is unsurpassed around the world in terms of its quality and impact.  From CEOs of Fortune 500 companies to public servants in the fields of defense, education and policy, youth sport programs have influenced and positively impacted our nation’s best.  Despite the example and record of these exemplary programs, many individuals and groups suggest that youth sports in America need reform (A Call to Action:  Youth Sports Reform).  To this, I advance the following inquiry – is it that youth sport programming needs reform or that youth sport programs in the many communities around the country need greater recognition for their positive impact?

The top-down approach (private financial interest, charter schools, high-stakes testing, etc.) to education that is permeating through general education right now is also threatening positive youth sport programs.  While funding is an essential component to the sustainability and efficiency of any successful youth sports program, the benefactors should not be the compass for the program.  The individuals on the ground sharpening the important skills of the youth who are being served should be the ones out front and speaking about the programs.  They are the ones who can best advise the nation about what is working and what needs to be corrected in our youth sport and development programs.  While benefactors and champions of youth sports are important, they must not overreach and take hold of a purpose which is not theirs, the day-to-day operations of the programs they are funding. 

Trailblazers often go unrecognized until the final moments of their work, and sometimes life.  What is needed is the recognition of the many trailblazers around the country, on the ground, doing the work with the young people on a daily basis.  Reform in youth sports implies that something is wrong or in need of improvement.  Based on the many successful individuals in our country who participated in youth sport programs it would appear that it is not reform which is needed but rather greater recognition or attention on the many programs that are having the impact that we all want to see.  Let’s find them (rather than focusing on the substandard examples), highlight them, showcase them, and learn from them before we decide to waste too much time, energy and resources on something that may not be needed.