Youth sports programs play an important role in promoting the emotional and physical development of children. It is therefore essential for parents, coaches, and youth athletes to embrace the values of good sportsmanship as laid out by the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS). Moreover, adults involved should be models of good sportsmanship and should lead by example.
I therefore pledge to be responsible for my words and actions while attending a youth sports event and shall conform my behavior to this code of conduct:
NAYS PARENTS’ CODE OF ETHICS
I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care, and encouragement for my child participating in youth sports by following this NAYS Parents’ Code of Ethics:
• I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, and officials at every game, practice, or other youth sports event.
• I will place the emotional and physical wellbeing of my child ahead of a personal desire to win.
• I will insist that my child play in a safe and healthy environment.
• I will require that my child’s coach be trained in the responsibilities of being a youth sports coach and that the coach upholds the Coaches’ Code of Ethics.
• I will support coaches and officials working with my child, in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all.
• I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and will refrain from their use at all youth sports events.
• I will remember that the game is for youthnot for adults.
• I will do my very best to make youth sports fun for my child.
• I will help my child enjoy the youth sports experience by doing whatever I can, such as being a respectful fan, assisting with coaching, or providing transportation.
• I will ask my child to treat other players, coaches, fans, and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed, or ability.
NAYS PLAYERS’ CODE OF ETHICS
I hereby pledge to be positive about my youth sports experiences and accept responsibility for my participation by following this Players’ Code of Ethics pledge:
• I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, and officials at every game, practice, or other youth sports event.
• I will place the emotional and physical wellbeing of my child ahead of a personal desire to win.
• I will insist that my child play in a safe and healthy environment.
• I will require that my child’s coach be trained in the responsibilities of being a youth sports coach and that the coach upholds the Coaches’ Code of Ethics.
• I will support coaches and officials working with my child, in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all.
• I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and will refrain from their use at all youth sports events.
• I will remember that the game is for youthnot for adults.
• I will do my very best to make youth sports fun for my child.
• I will help my child enjoy the youth sports experience by doing whatever I can, such as being a respectful fan, assisting with coaching, or providing transportation.
• I will ask my child to treat other players, coaches, fans, and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed, or ability.
Code of Conduct
NAYS COACHES’ CODE OF ETHICS
I hereby pledge to be a positive role model, encourage sportsmanship, and accept my responsibility by following this Coaches’ Code of Ethics:
• I will place the emotional and physical wellbeing of my players ahead of a personal desire to win.
• I will treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development for the same age group.
• I will do my best to provide a safe playing situation for my players.
• I promise to review and practice basic first aid principles needed to treat injuries of my players.
• I will do my best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all my players.
• I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players.
• I will provide a sports environment for my team that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and I will refrain from their use at all youth sports events.
• I will be knowledgeable in the rules of each sport that I coach, and I will teach these rules to my players.
• I will use those coaching techniques appropriate for all of the skills that I teach.
• I will remember that I am a youth sports coach, and that the game is for children and not adults.
Volunteer Background Check Policy
COACHES
In order to protect all youth participants, we require every volunteer head coach and assistant coach in our youth sport programs to complete and pass a background check. BSPR will follow the National Recreation and Parks Background Check standards:
• Each team will consist of one head coach and one assistant coach. (There may only be one per team depending on volunteer numbers.)
• At least one of these approved coaches must be present at every practice. (If one of the approved coaches cannot be present for practice, the team will not be allowed to practice.)
• The team may play a game without an approved coach present as BSPR will provide a supervisor at all games.
• If a team does not have any parent volunteers to assistant coach, the team cannot practice without the approved head coach present.
BACKGROUND CHECK POLICY
BSPR will be responsible for submitting all background checks and paying for them. The coaches will be responsible for filling out the background check online before they will be allowed to begin coaching the team.
• If a coach does not pass the background check, they will not be allowed to coach the team.
• Roster information with player and parent contact information will not be provided to a coach until they have been approved.
• A head coach or assistant coach also must attend the coaches meeting with prior approval on the background check.
These standards are set by Blue Springs Parks & Recreation for all volunteer coaches in order to keep the youth participants safe at all times.
Coaching Expectations
PARENT MEETING
We suggest you schedule a parent meeting before the first practice with your team. This meeting is a great chance for you to go through the handbook with your parents so it can avoid confusion later in the season.
• A drink and snack schedule also is something that this meeting can accomplish.
• This meeting can be done 15-20 minutes before your first practice or at a separate location off site, whichever is easier for you and your parents.
CONTACTING PARENTS
It is important to call each of your player’s parents individually when you receive your roster. After making individual contact it is also a good idea to send out a follow up email so they each have something in writing to refer to later on.
• This is important because it will help in establishing good communication for your team.
• Email examples will be provided at the coaches’ meeting.
COACHING PHILOSOPHY
Being a coach, you are now representing yourself, your team and Blue Springs Parks & Recreation. It is crucial that you let your parents know the importance of a positive attitude during games and practices and that the main objective of the league is for the kids to have fun and learn the fundamentals. Remember, coaching kids is a privilege, not a right.
BENEFITS OF COACHING
a) Giving back to the community
b) Positive role model for child
c) Rewarding experience
d) Flexibility with choosing practice time and location
e) Teaching not only sports skills, but life skills for all players
Little All-Stars
Little All-Stars is designed to introduce basic fundamentals of the sport to children three and fours years of age. Skills and simplified rules are taught through stations and drills, along with organized ‘scrimmage’ style games in the later sessions.
We encourage parents to work with their child outside of the sessions to reinforce the skills that are introduced. Sessions are five weeks long, one night per week, with multiple time slots available. Each session will have approximately 48 kids split into six teams of eight. Each of these teams is assigned a color and needs a few volunteer parents to lead them through the session. There is a Little All-Stars coordinator on site every session to lead and help guide coaches.
PROGRAM GOALS
• Keep the kids enthusiastic about sports
• Teach the basic principles and rules
• Teach teamwork and sportsmanship
• Keep communication open between staff, coaches, kids and parents
• HAVE FUN!
PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH YOUR CHILD’S SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Some players are quick learners/starters and, others may be a bit more reserved. Each child will have their own special approach to the sport. Please encourage your child to listen to their coach(es) so they can learn as much as possible. As stated above, parents are encouraged to work with their child throughout the week to review and reinforce the skills introduced in the weekly sessions.
PREPARING FOR EACH SESSION
We encourage all participants to wear clothes and shoes that are comfortable for doing active movements. All equipment needed is supplied by Blue Springs Parks & Recreation. Basketball specific shoes are optional for basketball but not required - same for soccer, flag-football and t-ball with regard to cleats. Water bottles are a great idea for staying hydrated. Restrooms are available on-site.
VOLUNTEER COACHES
Why should you coach? This is a great way to interact with your child in a new and fun team-building atmosphere and instill confidence in all the kids on your team. Even if you have a limited knowledge of the game, this does not mean you cannot volunteer! At this age, much of the coaching is having an adult in the session(s) to guide the kids through drills and keep them as focused as possible.
Each volunteer coach also will receive a coach’s shirt that matches the same color as the player’s shirt for their team. The coach will receive this shirt the first day along with their kids. When checking-in, please make sure our staff knows you are interested in helping with the session.
It is understood that if you are volunteering to coach, then your child will be placed on your team. Any other teammate requests are not guaranteed but taken into consideration by our staff.
Stay Connected
STAFF CONTACTS
Gabe Clark
816-622-4326 gclark@bluespringsmo.gov
David Adamson
816-622-4348 dadamson@bluespringsmo.gov
Blue Springs Parks & Recreation
816-228-0137
MISSION STATEMENT
Recognized as an indispensable community asset that creates a healthy, livable and sustainable community through enhanced quality of life for residents and visitors while generating economic vitality.
Thank you for choosing Blue Springs Parks & Recreation
