NEW APPLICATION PROCESS AS OF JULY 19, 2021. ALL WHO APPLIED BEFORE THIS DATE WILL BE REVIEWED USING THE PREVIOUS APPLICATION STANDARDS. READ BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider Designation
Today’s youth sports climate overflows with programming choices, making it challenging for organizations to stand out among the crowd, and difficult for parents to gauge which ones can deliver high-quality experiences for young athletes.
Like the Good Housekeeping Seal given to household products that meet high standards, the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation recognizes those organizations that have met an equally high standard when it comes to administering youth sports programming.
Over the years, NAYS has facilitated the development of a variety of resources that CYSAs have identified as important for the execution of high-quality youth sports programs. Some of these resources include the National Standards for Youth Sports, the Recommendations for Communities and the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider Designation. As a national, 501(c)(3) charitable organization since 1981, NAYS has considerable experience helping local youth sports providers by providing resources, tools, programs and information.
We offer guidance, training and educational programs to add value to existing, organized youth sports that are being administered at the local level by public entities, volunteer/parent-led youth sports associations, community-based organizations, private companies and U.S. military installations worldwide. This experience, coupled with our extensive network of professional youth sports administrators throughout the country, provides unparalleled knowledge of the youth sports environment.
To this end, using its historical experience, industry expertise, and input from CYSAs throughout the nation, NAYS provides third-party, outside evaluation for organizations to generate an impartial assessment of their youth sports programs. This evaluation of the internal workings will help public recreation agencies ensure that they meet benchmark requirements, will identify areas of strengths and weaknesses, and will help them to be positioned as a provider of Quality youth sports. In addition, NAYS also assists public recreation agencies in the evaluation of outside groups who use their facilities, since these groups are an extension (at least by perception) of their programs and efforts! The ultimate goal is to ensure predictability and consistency in the execution of youth sports, regardless of the program provider!
Know that your program is one your community can trust
Today, many facility providers (primarily public entity park and recreation departments/districts) not only offer youth sports programs but also grant use to outside groups to use the facilities. And while these groups may have good intentions, oftentimes there is high turn-over of their volunteer leadership (league boards, for example) and they simply may not have all the information necessary to conduct safe and healthy sports experiences. We recognize the importance of evaluating and sometimes re-defining these historical relationships with outside groups and can provide an unbiased analysis of the current relationship to then build the Quality framework for the future.
A much-needed benchmark for quality youth sports
Organized youth sports programs are one of the greatest resources available for instilling valuable life skills in children, the leaders of tomorrow. Quality should not be left to chance. These points are the rationale for the National Standards for Youth Sports, a framework by which youth sports programs should be designed and executed. The Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation has been developed around the National Standards for Youth Sports as a way to recognize and promote youth sports organizations that make quality a priority. If an organization meets the benchmark requirements of the designation, parents can be assured that specific safety and quality measures have been implemented.
Spearheaded by CYSAs with parents in mind
CYSAs, who are a group of certified youth sports leaders from around the country, and the National Alliance for Youth Sports believe that every youth sports program should utilize the National Standards for Youth Sports to ensure quality, safety, consistency and predictability from program to program. CYSAs, short for Certified Youth Sports Administrators, are leaders of youth sports in many communities and serve as a conduit to their local youth sports community. This distinguished group wants every parent to have confidence that their child’s youth sports program meets a benchmark for quality.
Five requirement categories
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Written policies and procedures
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Volunteer screening
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Coach training
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Parent education
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Accountability
View full checklist of requirements
How to earn the designation
1. Review all requirements.
Any youth sports organization is eligible to earn the designation as long as it meets the requirements. First, review the checklist of requirements and mark your responses.
2. Submit the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider application.
For a nominal fee of $250 (no charge for military installations), NAYS will conduct an unbiased review of existing internal policies, documentation and processes to determine strengths/weaknesses.
3. Review.
The information submitted is reviewed to verify compliance with all requirements.
4. Next Steps.
Organizations that meet the benchmark are designated as a Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider. Organizations that do not yet meet the requirements of the designation are provided the option to submit the missing documentation within 30 days or have their organization fully evaluated by NAYS for a $150 fee.
During the full evaluation, organizational data (policies, organizational/fee structures, participation data and personnel) will be provided to NAYS. Based on the submission, NAYS may provide a list of preliminary questions that will be answered in writing to gain a better understanding of historical efforts. After the above-described review, NAYS will deliver a concise letter report summarizing our initial findings. Once the organization has successfully implemented the revised policies and procedures, NAYS will review the organization again to verify if it is eligible to earn the Quality designation.
5. Maintain designation.
The designation is valid for a 2-year period. Organizations are required to reapply as their expiration date approaches to show continued commitment to quality. The renewal application fee is $50.
See FAQs for additional details.
Organizations
Show your commitment to quality
You know your program stands out among the rest. Tell your community by applying for the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation. Earning the designation means that you have taken the steps to ensure a safe, quality playing environment for children. Proudly displaying the designation seal will help build trust in your organization. It shows parents that you truly care.
Application
Apply now for the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation
FAQs
When are applications accepted?
Applications can be submitted at any time.
What type of organizations are eligible for the designation?
Any agency or organization offering sports programs with organized teams for children (age 17 and under) is eligible to apply for the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation. Those offering only camps, athlete training sessions or clinics are not eligible to apply.
Who should submit the application?
An administrator or official representative from the applying organization should submit the application.
Does an organization need to be affiliated with the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) to apply?
No. Though the program is administratively managed by the National Alliance for Youth Sports, involvement with NAYS programs does not influence an organization’s ability to earn the designation.
What is the cost?
The application fee is $250 (no charge for military installations).
What happens after the application form is submitted?
Organizations that meet the benchmark are designated as a Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider. Organizations that do not yet meet the requirements of the designation are provided the option to submit the missing documentation within 30 days or have their organization fully evaluated by NAYS for a $150 fee.
What happens when an organization is approved for the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation?
The organization will receive:
· An approval letter by mail and email
· A certificate by mail and email
· A high-quality seal for use in digital and print formats
· A marketing guide with tips for promoting the designation
· A listing in the database of approved providers
Organizations are encouraged to promote the designation as a way to highlight their efforts to create a quality sports experience for the children and families they serve.
What happens when an organization does not meet all requirements?
Organizations that do not yet meet the requirements of the designation are provided the option to submit the missing documentation within 30 days or have their organization fully evaluated by NAYS for a $150 fee.
How long is the designation valid?
The designation can be earned at any time and is valid for a 2-year period. Organizations must reapply before the expiration date. The certificate will state the exact expiration date and the seal will include the year. The renewal application fee is $50.
Terms and Conditions
By applying for the designation, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
- You are an official representative from the applying organization.
- The information provided is truthful and provided in good faith.
- Any false or misleading information received will immediately disqualify applicant.
- NAYS may use your organizational information in the listing of Quality Program Providers.
- NAYS may revoke use of the designation at any time.
- Use of the designation and logo(s) can only be used when designation is up-to-date.
- Earning the designation is not a guarantee of the quality and safety of a youth sports program. NAYS is not liable for injuries, accidents or misconduct occurring within an organization that has earned the designation.
Contact
Please contact us with questions at quality@nays.org.