A Shared Standard for Every Child in Southeast Michigan
Every child deserves a shot at the joy sports can bring — the belonging, the confidence, the lessons that stick long after the final whistle. That’s the idea behind the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports, developed by the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative and now taking root right here in southeast Michigan.
Across our region, coaches, youth sports organizations, schools, municipalities and pro teams are stepping onto the same field around one shared standard: kids first, always. The Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports gives families and every organization a clear, common framework for what quality youth sports should look like — and a way to show, publicly, that they’re committed to delivering it.
This isn’t about checking a box. It’s about building a regional movement where every young person, regardless of zip code, ability or background, gets to play, grow and thrive.
Get to Know the Eight Rights
A child who has access to sports but plays in an unsafe environment is not fully served. A child with a qualified coach but no voice in their experience is missing something essential. These eight rights work together to define what a true quality youth sports experience looks like. When all eight rights are present, sports and play become one of the most powerful tools a community has for youth development.
Our Founding Champions
Before we could ask a region to unite behind kids, someone had to go first. Watch as leaders from across southeast Michigan’s sports and pro teams community step forward as Founding Champions of the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports — setting aside their own individual missions to stand together on one shared cause.
These are the trailblazers igniting a movement, proving that when organizations put competition aside and rally around what matters most, the impact reaches every child in our region. Check out this video and see what’s possible when a region comes together for kids.
Everyone has a Role to Play
The Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports speaks to everyone with a hand in a child’s sports experience. Here’s what it means for you.
Parents and Caregivers
You already show up — to practices, to games, to the car rides in between. The Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports gives you an easy way to know what your child deserves from every team, league and coach: safety, respect, a say in how they play and the freedom to have fun.
Coaches
You’re the one making the difference — every practice, every pep talk, every kid you make feel like they belong. The Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports backs up what you already believe with a shared framework, real training and a community of coaches and leaders doing the same work.
Youth Sports Organizations
The Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports give your work a name, a framework and a regional community behind it. Endorsing means joining organizations who are aligning on what quality looks like, sharing what’s working and holding a shared standard up publicly for families to see.
Join the Call and Become an Endorser
No single organization can shift youth sports on its own — but a region can. The Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports gives coaches, schools, municipalities and youth sports organizations across southeast Michigan a shared standard to rally around. Endorsing means adding your voice to that movement, standing alongside others committed to putting kids first, and helping build the momentum it takes to make quality youth sports the standard across our region.
Endorse and publicly commit to the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports and let families know exactly what your organization stands for.
Put the rights into practice by changing how youth sports programs run and how we show up for kids, on and off the field.
Spread the word and bring others into the movement, so more organizations and families stand behind kids first.
For questions about the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports or to speak with our team about partnership opportunities, please contact [email protected].