Young athletes have right to play in safe environment
Youth athletes have “rights” to a fun and safe enviornment when participating in sports. (The Gazette)
More than 60 sport and other organizations and more than 250 athletes have endorsed the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports, drafted by the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program.
It was created to share a “cultural understanding about the right of all youth to play and to develop through sports” and was released on Aug. 12.
As I have cited in earlier columns, children from low-income homes are half as likely to play sports as their peers from upper-income homes, according to Sports & Fitness Industry Association data. According to an Aspen Institute survey, the average child quits participating in sports by age 11. By high school, 43 percent of students no longer played on any school-based or community team, with only 23 percent of students meeting the recommended level of physical activity, according to the federal government.
COVID-19 has only exacerbated the divide between the haves and have-nots.
The Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports identifies eight rights:
- To play sports. Organizations should make every effort to accommodate children’s interests to participate, and to help them play with peers from diverse backgrounds.
- To safe and healthy environments. Children have the right to play in settings free from all forms of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), hazing, violence and neglect.
- To qualified program leaders. Children have the right to play under the care of coaches and other adults who pass background checks and are trained in key competencies.
- To developmentally appropriate play. Children have a right to play at a level commensurate with their physical, mental and emotional maturity, and their emerging athletic ability. They should be treated as young people first, athletes second.
- To share in the planning and delivery of their activities. Children have the right to share their viewpoints with coaches and for their insights to be incorporated into activities.
- To an equal opportunity for personal growth. Programs should invest equally in all child athletes, free of discrimination based on any personal or family characteristic.
- To be treated with dignity. Children have the right to participate in environments that promote the values of sportsmanship, of respect for opponents, officials and the game.
- To enjoy themselves. Children have the right to participate in activities they consider fun, and which foster the development of friendships and social bonds.
All of these rights should be treated as guardrails in the design of sport activities involving youth.
Anyone who believes that when sports are delivered properly, participation is one of society’s best tools for addressing larger challenges like obesity, cancer risk and gender equity, as well as the inclusion of people with disabilities, racial bias and the restoration of civic trust.
The Aspen Institute notes all of us can use the Bill of Rights in the following ways:
- Community and school sports programs should review policies and practices with children’s rights as a filter. Educate youth about their rights and communicate to them and parents/caregivers what your program is doing to align. Realize the potential benefits, from program quality to a reputation as an organization that cares about the development of each child.
- National sports organizations should review their policies, too. Develop tools and incentives for affiliated programs to embrace the rights.
- Grantmakers and sponsors should fund organizations that demonstrate adherence to the rights.
- Parents/caregivers should ask sport providers about their policies and give their children a voice in the design of their activities by asking what they want.
- Adult athletes should use their platform to advocate for these rights.
- Youth should know their rights. They should share what matters to them with adults shaping their sport activities.
- Policymakers should develop policies and unlock funds that can help programs align with the rights.
Youth sports has evolved from the days of playing in the park and backyard. Adhering to this Bill of Rights will assist in providing our children a safe and happy experience in today’s youth sports environment.
Nancy Justis is a former competitive swimmer and college sports information director. She is a partner with Outlier Creative Communications. Let her know what you think at njustis@cfu.net
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Youth Bill of Rights should provide opportunity - The Gazette
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