The YMCA Philosophy of Youth Sports

Pillar One - Everyone Plays. We do not use tryouts to select the best players, nor do we cut kid from YMCA Youth Sports.  Everyone who registers is assigned to a team.  During the season everyone receives equal practice time and plays half of every game. 

Pillar Two - Safety First. Although some children may get hurt playing sports, we do all we can to prevent injuries.  We've modified each sport to make it safer and more enjoyable to play.  We ensure the equipment and facilities are safe and that the skills taught are appropriate for the children's developmental level. We constantly supervise our young players to ensure safe participation.

Pillar Three - Fair Play. Fair play is about playing by the rules - and more.  It's about showing respect for all who are involved in YMCA Youth Sports.  It's about being a role model of good sportsmanship and guiding others to do the same.  We are more interested in developing children's character through sport than in developing a few highly skilled players.

Pillar Four - Positive Competition. We believe that competition is a positive process when the pursuit of victory is kept in the right perspective.  The right perspective is when adults make decisions that put the best interests of the children above winning the contest.  Learning to compete is important for children, and learning to cooperate in a competitive world is an essential lesson of life.  Through YMCA Youth Sports we want to help children learn these lessons. 

Pillar Five - Family Involvement. YMCA Youth Sports encourages parents to be involved appropriately along with their child's participation in our sport programs.  In addition to parents being helpful as volunteer coaches and officials, we encourage them to be at practices and games to support their child's participation. 

Pillar Six - Sport for All. YMCA Youth Sports is an inclusive sport program.  That means that children who differ in various characteristics are to be included rather than excluded from participation.  We offer sport programs for children who differ in physical abilities by matching them with children of similar abilities and modifying their sport.  We offer programs to all children regardless of their race, gender, religious creed, or ability.  We ask our adult leaders to encourage and appreciate diversity of children in our society and to encourage the children and their parents to do the same. 

Pillar Seven - Sport for Fun. Sport is naturally fun for most children.  They love the challenge of mastering the skills of the game, of playing with their friends, and of competing with their peers.  Sometimes when adults become involved in children's sport, they over organize and dominate the activity to the point of destroying children's enjoyment of the sport.  If we take the fun out of sport, we are in danger of our children taking themselves out of sport.  Remember that these sports are for the kids; let them have fun.