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How to Use This Guide
Youth sports decisions can feel more complicated than they need to be. This guide is designed to help families ask better questions, recognize healthier environments, and choose a path that fits their child, not someone else's expectations.
There is no single correct pathway. Recreational leagues, school teams, travel programs, private training, multiple sports, and periods of specialization can each have a place. The right choice depends on the child's age, interests, health, readiness, and goals.
The big picture
Five Ideas to Carry Forward
- Children are more likely to stay when they experience enjoyment, belonging, improvement, and meaningful relationships.
- Every child deserves a safe, respectful, developmentally appropriate sports experience.
- More travel, spending, and training do not automatically create better development.
- A scholarship is possible for some, but it should never be the only measure of a worthwhile athletic experience.
- Families and local organizations can strengthen an entire community by putting children first and working from shared standards.
A shared standard
The Children's Bill of Rights in Sports
Developed by the Aspen Institute's Project Play initiative, the Children's Bill of Rights offers parents, coaches, and organizations a shared definition of quality youth sports. Project Play Southeast Michigan is inviting individuals and youth-serving organizations across the region to endorse the rights and put them into practice.
Programs should make every effort to accommodate children's interest in participating and help them play with peers from diverse backgrounds.
Children should play in settings free from abuse, hazing, violence, and neglect.
Coaches and other adults should pass background checks and receive training in key competencies.
Children should play at a level matching their physical, mental, and emotional maturity and emerging ability.
Children should be able to share their viewpoints and have their insights considered.
Programs should invest in every child without discrimination based on personal or family characteristics.
Sports environments should promote sportsmanship and respect for opponents, officials, and the game.
Children should participate in activities they find fun and that foster friendships and social bonds.
What's in the toolkit
Who to follow, how sports help kids grow, five practical topics from burnout to recruiting, and the questions families asked before the event.
For coaches and organizationsCoach education resources, a playbook for high school and community league partnerships, and how to endorse the Children's Bill of Rights.
Local programsYouth sports organizations in our community that took part in this effort, and how to be added.
A living resource
Continue the Conversation
This guide is intended to grow as local programs, links, and community commitments are confirmed. The Family Center will continue working with Project Play Southeast Michigan and community partners to connect families with reliable information and practical opportunities.
Credits
About This Guide
Raising Athletes, Strengthening Communities: Parent Resource Toolkit and Event Takeaway was created, authored, and compiled by Anthony Toth as part of the Raising Athletes, Strengthening Communities initiative.
The Toolkit was developed in partnership with The Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods and Project Play Southeast Michigan, with input, resources, and perspectives contributed by event panelists, community leaders, youth sports organizations, coaches, parents, and subject-matter experts.
The purpose of this guide is to help parents, coaches, volunteers, and community organizations make more informed decisions about youth sports and connect families with credible information, practical tools, and local resources.
Authorship and use
The original organization, written content, commentary, community framework, and compilation of this Toolkit were created by Anthony Toth. The Toolkit may be shared and distributed for educational and community purposes with appropriate attribution.
Third-party research, frameworks, publications, trademarks, links, and resources referenced throughout this guide remain the property of their respective authors and organizations. Inclusion of a third-party resource does not imply ownership by Anthony Toth, The Family Center, or Project Play Southeast Michigan.
The Children's Bill of Rights in Sports and related Project Play materials were developed by the Aspen Institute's Project Play initiative and are referenced here to help families and organizations understand and apply those principles.
A living community resource
This Toolkit is intended to evolve. Youth sports research, policies, recruiting rules, programs, organizations, and community opportunities change over time. Links and program information should be confirmed directly with the applicable organization.
Local organizations included in this edition engaged with or supported the Raising Athletes, Strengthening Communities effort. Their inclusion is not intended as a ranking, certification, or endorsement of one program over another, nor does the absence of an organization imply a negative assessment.
We hope additional organizations, schools, coaches, families, and community leaders will contribute to future versions as we continue working toward healthier, more developmentally appropriate sports experiences for every child.
Created and authored by Anthony Toth · Last updated September 2026