NEWS

National Youth Coach Survey

The purpose of the study is to explore youth sport coaches’ perspectives on their coaching philosophies, training needs, interests, and coaching behaviors and practices.

The National Youth Coach Survey is an effort led by the Aspen Institute for Project Play in partnership with LiFESports at The Ohio State University with support from Nike and the Susan Crown Exchange. The survey targets ALL youth sport coaches who work with young people in any sport setting including organized sport and free play. The survey questions focus on:

– Coaches’ background and training
– The reason they began coaching and what keeps them coaching
– Their confidence level based upon their training
– The additional supports they need to be an effective coach
– Their perceptions of the current youth sports system in their community

This short online survey should be taken by anyone who is or has been a youth sports coach
and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. For respondents willing to provide an
email address, one person from every 25 from southeast Michigan will win a $50 electronic gift card.

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds: Now Accepting Applications

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is now accepting applications for the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Youth Sports Legacy Fund that was established to support youth sports, play, and recreation programs and initiatives that reflect the personal passions of Mr. Wilson. Click here to apply.

These objectives all link to the goals identified in the “State of Play Southeast Michigan” report, which can be found at this link.

Please note: This year we are partnering with Good Sports (a national non-profit dedicated to providing brand-new sports equipment to kids in need). If you are seeking sports equipment for your organization, please see this link for information on how to apply directly to Good Sports.

She Can Run: A Discussion with Olympic Star Dr. Tiffany Ofili Porter

Watch a recap of our discussion with Girls on the Run: Southeast Michigan featuring Olympic star Dr. Tiffany Ofili Porter.

Dr. Porter discussed the role of sports in her life, and answered questions from participants of Girls on the Run on her experiences throughout her running career.

Subscribe to our newsletters to be invited to future events similar to this, and be the first to hear from the professionals!

Aspiring Athletes Play On with Equipment Kits from Project Play

In the age of social distancing, many youth sports leagues, practices, and competitions have been canceled, presenting a challenge for children stuck at home who want to remain active, as well as parents who rely on sports to keep kids motivated and engaged during the school year.

In response, the Project Play team has developed free themed sports kits containing basketballs, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, and other equipment to encourage at-home recreation.

3 Innovative Ideas by Youth Sports Providers During COVID-19

During this time, creativity and unity is necessary to provide the youth sports opportunities that kids need. These three strategies highlight unique ways that youth sports is being elevated while being nimble and responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.

Niyo: Hiatus may cause us to rethink priority we put on organized youth sports

In an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, youth sports have ceased. What does this hiatus mean for kids and families? In the midst of this difficult time, there may be some lessons for everyone about what we both appreciate and might want to change about our approach to youth sports.

Detroit to Host the Aspen Institute’s Project Play Summit in September; First Speakers Announced

The fifth Project Play Summit will take place September 17-18 at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, MI, marking the first time the summit has been scheduled outside of Washington, DC. Former NBA star Chris Webber and NCAA champion gymnastics coach Valorie Kondos Field will be discussing the importance of youth sports and the state of play.

Survey: Kids Quit Most Sports By Age 11

The average child today spends less than three years playing a sport, quitting by age 11, most often because the sport just isn’t fun anymore. Their parents are under pressure, too, with some sports costing thousands of dollars a year and travel expenses taking up the largest chunk.

Ten Charts That Show Progress, Challenges to Fix Youth Sports

Learn how the national landscape of youth sports is changing. Recently, Project Play released its annual findings in a series of ten charts. From those findings, we can gain a deeper understanding of the progress we’ve made and what we can do to keep it going strong.

Beyond a Level Playing Field

One of the important topics discussed at the 2018 Project Play Summit, hosted by the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program, is mixed-gender youth sports. Read as three Olympic athletes give their thoughts on mixed-gender competition and how it could improve sports and reframe the way our culture thinks about gender.

Find the Best Sport for You: Aspen Institute Releases First Tool to Assess Health Benefits of High School Sports

The right sport can make all the difference for our children. And now, finding it is easier than ever. Combining the best available data and expert analysis, the Healthy Sports Index is the first tool to help parents and children assess the health benefits and risks of the ten most popular sports.