True-Sport-Report

What We Can Do
to Achieve True Sport
It is important to stop and remind ourselves
that in sport, like so many other areas of
life, experiences can be as important as
outcomes. The experience of preparing for
and playing sport provides the essential
intrinsic rewards that successful athletes
talk about. How then can we best support
sport in this country and ensure that our
children and grandchildren benefit from
the great lessons that can be derived from
true sport? Survey research finds that, as
a nation, we say that we care most about
the intrinsic values sport offers—fun, fair
play, integrity, teamwork, self-esteem, selfdiscipline,
patience, sense of community,
and the like—yet we systematically reward
the elements we have ranked as least
important—winning and competitiveness.
We have reached a tipping point that
requires acknowledgement, commitment,
collaboration, and ultimately action in
order to protect sport for current and
future generations. For people who
participate in sport, it can be a vital part
of their lives, even if their lives are rich
with other interests, other paths to
excellence, and relationships outside
of sport. The research described in this
report, combined with the Sport in America
survey results, points to six foundational
changes we must make to ensure sport
fulfills its promise now and into the
future.
1. Reward what we value.
Communities and sport organizations
must find ways to ensure that “having
fun” is always at the top of the list of goals
for any athlete, that fair play is required,
and that good sportsmanship and respect
for opponents, the rules, and the game
are recognized and rewarded. This means
paying close attention to how sport is
executed—are the principles of teamwork,
integrity, accountability, sportsmanship,
respect, and personal best as important as
winning? Are we watching for signs that
children and youth are enjoying what
they are doing rather than responding to
the pressures and needs of others?
2. Teach what we value.
Sport organizations, whether in school,
clubs, or in the community, need to
encourage active and engaged discussions
about what true sport means. We need
to identify and develop strategies for
communicating the values of true sport
to athletes, officials, coaches, parents,
and fans, and provide coaching education
opportunities to arm them with proper
tools for success.
3. Explore new ways to organize
youth sport.
There is much good to be found in many
youth sport programs around the country.
More children are playing sport than ever
before, and many communities have made
concerted efforts to provide venues—formal
and informal—for children and youth
to train, play, and compete. Communities
need to ensure that “late bloomers” are
not shut out of sport forever. All children
deserve the opportunity to hone their
skills at their own developmental pace.
Programs to accommodate later bloomers
might include, for example, skills camps,
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