Youth Sports Playbook

• Helps community sports organizations improve access and equity, especially in underserved areas.
• Useful for new or evolving programs that want to prioritize fun, inclusion, and physical literacy.
• Supports coaches and administrators in designing age-appropriate and engaging experiences.
• Provides national and local leaders with a shared framework to align policy and funding decisions.
• Guides after-school providers, schools, and faith-based groups in integrating sport and play.
• Valuable for organizations serving girls, low-income youth, children with disabilities, and late bloomers.

This resource aligns with our focus on ensuring participants in soccer programs fall in love with the game for life. We appreciate how this resource is backed by research and full of practical ideas. Soccer is cited as a model sport in several sections, including examples of low-cost futsal programs and inclusive community partnerships that increase access.

• Where are the biggest participation gaps in your local youth sports system—by age, income, or geography?
• Which of the eight plays could be implemented quickly with your current resources?
• How are families and kids involved in shaping your program offerings and goals?
• What organizations (schools, clubs, housing agencies) could help you expand access?
• How might you reduce barriers like cost, transportation, or over-structuring of play?
• What steps can you take to ensure long-term support and sustainability for inclusive sport programming?
• How might you consider cultural relevance when introducing or reshaping programs?

The Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program convenes leaders, facilitates dialogue, and inspires solutions that help sport serve the public interest. Project Play, the program’s flagship youth sports initiative, develops insights, ideas and opportunities to help stakeholders build healthy communities through sports. Learn more at www.ProjectPlay.org.