Sports Based Youth Development

Sports Based Youth Development (SBYD) programs are different than traditional competitive youth sports programs in that “Sports-based youth development is a methodology that uses sports to provide the supports and opportunities youth need to be healthy contributing citizens now and as adults. A sports-based youth development program offers youth an experience in which they learn and master sports skills along with life and leadership skills in a safe, fun, supportive, and challenging environment. This experience involves caring relationships, facilitated learning, experiential learning, and vigorous physical activity. ”   (Up2Us fact sheet 1, Perkins, Madsen and Wechsler)  Recent research and evaluation data documents the positive impact of SBYD participation on areas ranging from school engagement and academic success to pregnancy prevention. 

Sports Based Youth Development is a relatively recent field (beginning around 2000) and the Boston area is a leader in the field both in terms of programs and some major institutions. Major Boston area SBYD institutions include:

  1. UP2US Sports – http://www.up2us.org: is a national coalition of SBYD organizations working to increase the positive impacts sports provides youth through training, support, coaches and advocacy in the field. Their Center for research, training & assessment is in Boston.
  2. Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University: Research, educational offerings, work with professional teams, national scope.
  3. Center of Coach Education at Boston University School of Education: Creative work in SBYD & Sports System Redesign.
  4. Edgework Consulting – http://www.edgeworkconsulting.com: training, research in the field of SBYD including Sports System Redesign and Trauma Informed Sports Coaching, collaborates closely with Up2Us.

Other major resources/organizations: