When it comes to coaching and youth sports, Lori Brown knows her stuff. Brown, a youth sports program coordinator at American Sport Education Program, a division of publisher Human Kinetics, is an expert on the topic of youth sports. You can read a brief Q+A with her in the February 2008 issue of P&R magazine (p.66). Her recommendation: Agency professionals should expect a program that puts volunteer coaches and their agencies in a position for success.
When asked what parents should look for when seeking a quality local youth sports organization, she responded:
"Everything starts with a philosophy, mission, and goal, no matter what choices we make in life. Parents should first talk with their young athletes and ask, 'What do I hope to gain out of this program,' or 'Why am I encouraging my child to participate in athletics?' By answering these key questions, parents can then look for a sport program that shares a similar mission and philosophy."
For more extensive information, parents can download the free “SportParent Survival Guide” from the ASEP Web site.