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I have printed excerpts from the National Alliance of Youth Sports website in an effort to set in motion an international effort to create similar programs for Youth and Junior Bridge.

This issue is extremely important to all of us as bridge players - to the Junior/Youth players themselves, to the Parents and Guardians, to our Junior Bridge programs, marketing, and to membership recruitment. In Salt Lake City during the Olympics, when the eyes of the world are turned toward our sport, we have an opportunity to present ourselves as a legitimate enterprise on all fronts. Parents and educators and caregivers will want to see a responsible program for administrators, coaches and the junior/youth participants, in order to envision their children being involved in the sport.

Let's work to make bridge safe for our members' children and others through eduation and accountability and help ensure a healthy future for our game.

Please visit the NAYS web site (click here) and read through their material and help this cause by writing to your NCBO (complete listing here) about Junior and Youth Bridge in your federation.

SEVEN ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS
OF A SUCCESSFUL YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM.

1. A player philosophy that promotes and protects the interests and welfare of children and youth. The philosophy must promote enjoyable, fair and safe participation for youth of all levels of ability.

2. Clearly stated goals. The goals must be realistic and reflect the values held by the community.

3. A well-defined organizational structure. The organization must be guided by written by-laws and clearly defined lines of responsibility for all professional staff and volunteers.

4. A clearly defined program. The program must be directly linked to the philosophy and program goals so that proper growth and development of the participants is ensured.

5. Effective procedures for implementing the program. Written procedures include policies, expected outcomes, responding to emergencies, recruitment of volunteers and implementation of all programs.

6. Evaluation of all phases of the program. An annual review of the goals, procedures of implementation, outcomes, expenditure of funds and program responsibilities are essential if the program is to improve from year to year.

7. Well-defined expectations of success. Indicators of success include participant satisfaction, mastery of program content, involvement by the community and financial security.

YOUTH SPORTS ADMINISTRATORS' CODE OF ETHICS

I hereby pledge to provide positive support to all youth sports programs in my community, to administer youth sports programs with professionalism and in the best interests of the children involved by following the Youth Sports AdministratorsŐ Code of Ethics:

I will run youth sports programs for the children involved, not the adults.

I will ensure that I am knowledgeable in the area of youth sports administration.

I will do my best to provide a safe playing situation for all participants.

I will provide support for coaches, officials and parents to provide a positive and enjoyable experience for all.

I will require all coaches and officials to be trained in the responsibilities of being a volunteer within the organization and that they uphold the NYSCA/NYSOA Codes of Ethics.

I will implement and enforce the National Standards For Youth Sports.

I promise to keep informed about current issues involving youth sports programs.

© National Alliance For Youth Sports

COACHES' CODE OF ETHICS

I hereby pledge to live up to my certification as a NYSCA Coach by following the NYSCA Coaches' Code of Ethics:

I will place the emotional and physical well being of my players ahead of a personal desire to win.

I will treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development for the same age group. I will do my best to provide a safe playing situation for my players.

I will promise to review and practice basic first aid principles needed to treat injuries of my players.

I will do my best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all my players.

I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players.

I will provide a sports environment for my team that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and

I will refrain from their use at all youth sports events.

I will be knowledgeable in the rules of each sport that I coach, and I will teach these rules to my players.

I will use those coaching techniques appropriate for all of the skills that I teach.

I will remember that I am a youth sports coach, and that the game is for children and not adults.

© National Alliance For Youth Sports