Encouraging the Voices of Young Players

• When working in communities and with young people who need support to articulate their needs and interests. 
• To help generate a culture of shared respect and responsibility in a youth soccer team where players feel comfortable using their voice and listening to the voice of their teammates. 
• When developing programming for schools and other community-focused partners, who want to use soccer as a platform for personal development and social and emotional learning. 
• To support young people to provide feedback to you about their experiences of your activities to help you improve your programming and ensure their needs are met. 

It’s simple and designed to work in and around soccer practice. It supports coaches to integrate youth voice strategies into everyday coaching moments. And the Journal ensures young people can take ownership around when and how they choose to use their voice. These tools will help kids be better soccer players, and support them in their wider lives.

• What support does your team or organization have in place for coaches to lead with empathy, reflection, and trust-building?
• How will you adapt your use of these tools to reflect your community’s specific experiences? 
• In what ways can you gather input from young people to inform how you manage and develop your programming? And how can you integrate youth voice into your governance more permanently? 
• What staff training or community partnerships are needed to foster emotional safety on the field, and to respond appropriately if mental health concerns are disclosed when players take part in a vocal session or use the Journal?

The Sports Creative is a nonprofit that uses play and storytelling to help young people share their journeys, build confidence, and celebrate their culture. Creative Kicks is their program model, launched in partnership with a local school and women coaches in the South Bronx. To learn more visit thesportscreative.com.