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• . • • <br /> Parents/guardians must take an active and positive role in their child's youth sports experiences. <br /> Background: <br /> Leagues should encourage parents to be caring and active in their child's youth sports experiences by <br /> providing positive support as a spectator, coach and league administrator. Many parents do not get <br /> involved at all in their child's youth sports experience, while others become overly involved. All parents <br /> should be required to demonstrate their positive commitment by signing a code which outlines the <br /> opportunities their child should have through participation, as well as the responsibility the parent has in <br /> supporting the youth sports experience. <br /> Rationale: <br /> Parents are one of the keys to their child's youth sports experiences. Parents who receive an orientation <br /> and who are required to sign a code of conduct are usually more positive and supportive of their <br /> children. They need to demonstrate the participation benefits by attending games, practices, or team <br /> social events; or by just expressing their positive support. Parents should discuss participation with their <br /> child and help in evaluating his/her experiences. <br /> Implementation: <br /> 1. Parents should be required to complete a league orientation meeting annually. The orientation <br /> should cover the following areas: youth sports philosophy, program goals, expected behaviors and <br /> responsibilities, as well as sport specific information. <br /> 2. Teams should be required to have a minimum of one team/parents' meeting at the beginning of <br /> each sports season. <br /> 3. Parents must demonstrate their commitment to their child's youth sports experience by annually <br /> signing a parental code of conduct. <br /> 4. A child should not be allowed to participate if their parent refuses to sign the parental code of <br /> conduct. <br /> 5. Parents should familiarize themselves with the specific sport, including the rules of the game. <br /> 6. Leagues should encourage parent-child communication about their youth sports experiences. <br /> 7. Leagues should maintain open communication channels with parents through newsletters, league <br /> meetings and email. <br /> 8. Leagues should promote parental involvement in roles such as coach, team manager, fund-raiser, <br /> league manager, special assistant and fan. <br /> National Standards for Youth Sports Copyright©2008 by NAYS <br />